Introduction

  • Quick 2-3 sentences on why an engineer would want validation examples
  • For the rest of the article, follow similar format as existing validation example articles
In the following examples, we’ll go through the design of a wood beam (ASD/LRFD) to NDS 2018. The following examples outline the results for moment, shear and deflection design in ClearCalcs compared to textbook results. These examples come from an extensive list of different sources used to verify the accuracy of our calculators.  

Example 1:

Reference: Donald E. Breyer, P.E., Design of Wood Structures ASD/LRFD McGraw-Hill. Example 6-18 (ASD).

Inputs

**Parameter **Value
Beam Size and Grade2x6 D.Fir-L No. 1
Beam Plan Length13.5 ft
Continuous BracingTop & Bottom Braced
Applied LoadsD: 14 psf, Lr: 20 psf

Outputs

ASD (Example 6-18)
ResultExampleClearCalcs
Section Modulus, S7.56 in^37.56 in^3
Adjusted Bending Strength F’b1870 psi1870 psi
Allowable Bending Moment, MM =F’b S  = 1870 psi 7.56 in3 =14137.2 lbin =1178.1 lbft1177.7 lb-ft
Adjusted Shear Strength, F’v225 psi225 psi
Allowable Shear, VV = 23F’v A  = 23225 psi8.25 in2 =1237.5 lb1237.5 lb
Live/short-term deflection0.56 in-0.564 in
Long-term deflection0.76 in-0.761 in
Bearing F’c,perp625 psi625 psi

Example 2:

Reference: Donald E. Breyer, P.E., Design of Wood Structures ASD/LRFD McGraw-Hill. Example 6-19 (LRFD).

Inputs

**Parameter **Value
Beam Size and Grade2x6 D.Fir-L No. 1
Beam Plan Length13.5 ft
Continuous BracingTop & Bottom Braced
Applied LoadsD: 14 psf, Lr: 20 psf

Outputs

ResultExampleClearCalcs
Section Modulus, S7.56 in^37.56 in^3
Adjusted Bending Strength F’b2.58 ksi2.582 ksi
Allowable Bending Moment, MM’n=19.504.8 kin =1625 lbft1627.3 lb-ft
Adjusted Shear Strength, F’v311 psi311 psi
Allowable Shear, V1710 lb1710 lb
Bearing F’c,perp938 psi939 psi

Example 3:

Reference: Aghayere Ex 4.1

Inputs

**Parameter **Value
Beam Size and Grade2x14 D.Fir-L SS
Beam Plan Length19 ft
Continuous BracingTop & Bottom Braced
Applied LoadsD: 40 psf, Lr: 40 psf

Outputs

ResultExampleClearCalcs
Adjusted Bending Strength F’b1553 psi1552.5 psi
Adjusted Shear Strength F’v180 psi180 psi
Live/short-term deflection0.29 in-0.283 in
Dead/Long-term deflection*0.29 in-0.425 in
Minimum Required Bearing Length1.09 in1.08 in
*The difference in long term deflection is due to the total load combination for the governing long term deflection. The example considers only the dead load, while ClearCalcs includes the D+L load combination to consider creep effects. By viewing the load combination D on the graphs, the value of 0.29 inches can be observed.