Timber Beams

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Example Recipes

Quick reference recipes for common timber beam scenarios. Each shows the key attributes needed - use the API Reference to test interactively.

New to the API? Start with the Quick Start for a complete walkthrough.

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Simple Span Floor Joist

Use case: Standard residential floor joist at 16" spacing.

Preset: floorJoist

Code
 
{
  "L_X": 14,
  "member": "2x10 D.Fir-L No. 1",
  "supports": [["Pinned", 0, 3.5], ["Pinned", 14, 3.5]],
  "loadsDist": [["Floor Load", 0, "L", "spacing", "TW_s", {"D": [10], "L": [40]}]]
}

→ Try in API Reference

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Continuous Beam Over 3 Spans

Use case: Girder spanning multiple supports with joist reactions.

Preset: floorGirder

Code
 
{
  "L_X": 36,
  "member": "4x12 D.Fir-L No. 1",
  "supports": [
    ["Pinned", 0, 5.5],
    ["Pinned", 12, 5.5],
    ["Pinned", 24, 5.5],
    ["Pinned", 36, 5.5]
  ],
  "loadsConc": [
    ["Joist 1", 6, {"D": [600, 0], "L": [1200, 0]}],
    ["Joist 2", 18, {"D": [600, 0], "L": [1200, 0]}],
    ["Joist 3", 30, {"D": [600, 0], "L": [1200, 0]}]
  ]
}

→ Try in API Reference

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Inclined Roof Rafter

Use case: Sloped roof member with dead and snow loads.

Preset: rafter

Code
 
{
  "L_X": 16,
  "member": "2x8 D.Fir-L No. 2",
  "alpha_incline": 6,
  "supports": [["Pinned", 0, 3.5], ["Pinned", 16, 3.5]],
  "loadsDist": [["Roof Load", 0, "L", "spacing", "TW_s", {"D": [15], "S": [30]}]]
}

→ Try in API Reference

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Header Over Opening

Use case: Triple 2x12 header over an 8-foot door opening.

Preset: floorHeader

Code
 
{
  "L_X": 8,
  "member": "2x12 D.Fir-L No. 1",
  "n_com": 3,
  "supports": [["Pinned", 0, 5.5], ["Pinned", 8, 5.5]],
  "loadsDist": [["Wall Load", 0, 8, 12, 12, {"D": [300], "L": [600]}]]
}

→ Try in API Reference

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Cantilevered Beam

Use case: Beam with 5-foot cantilever on one end.

Preset: genericBeam

Code
 
{
  "L_X": 20,
  "member": "4x10 D.Fir-L No. 1",
  "supports": [["Pinned", 5, 5.5], ["Pinned", 20, 5.5]],
  "loadsDist": [["Uniform Load", 0, 20, 12, 12, {"D": [50], "L": [100]}]]
}

Note: Supports start at 5 ft, creating a 5-foot backspan cantilever.

→ Try in API Reference

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Point Load at Midspan

Use case: Beam with concentrated load at center.

Preset: genericBeam

Code
 
{
  "L_X": 18,
  "member": "4x12 D.Fir-L No. 1",
  "supports": [["Pinned", 0, 5.5], ["Pinned", 18, 5.5]],
  "loadsConc": [["Midspan Load", 9, {"D": [1500, 0], "L": [3000, 0]}]]
}

→ Try in API Reference

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Combined Loads

Use case: Beam with both distributed and point loads.

Preset: genericBeam

Code
 
{
  "L_X": 20,
  "member": "6x12 D.Fir-L No. 1",
  "supports": [["Pinned", 0, 5.5], ["Pinned", 20, 5.5]],
  "loadsDist": [
    ["Uniform Dead", 0, 20, 12, 12, {"D": [50]}],
    ["Partial Live", 5, 15, 12, 12, {"L": [100]}]
  ],
  "loadsConc": [["Point Load", 10, {"D": [500, 0], "L": [1000, 0]}]]
}

→ Try in API Reference

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Deck Beam with Wet Service

Use case: Outdoor deck beam exposed to weather.

Preset: deckBeam

Code
 
{
  "L_X": 12,
  "member": "4x8 D.Fir-L No. 2",
  "supports": [["Pinned", 0, 3.5], ["Pinned", 12, 3.5]],
  "loadsDist": [["Deck Load", 0, 12, 8, 8, {"D": [20], "L": [40]}]]
}

Note: deckBeam preset automatically applies wet service conditions.

→ Try in API Reference

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Advanced Examples

Multi-Ply Beam with Stricter Deflection

Use case: 3-ply beam with L/480 deflection limit for sensitive applications.

Code
 
{
  "preset": "genericBeam",
  "attributes": {
    "L_X": 18,
    "member": "2x12 D.Fir-L No. 1",
    "n_com": 3,
    "Delta_Span_ST": 480,
    "Delta_Span_LT": 360,
    "Delta_hard": 0.75,
    "supports": [["Pinned", 0, 5.5], ["Pinned", 18, 5.5]],
    "loadsConc": [["Point Load", 9, {"D": [2000, 0], "L": [4000, 0]}]]
  }
}

Flitch Beam (Steel-Reinforced)

Use case: Timber beam with steel plates for increased capacity.

Code
 
{
  "preset": "genericFlitchBeam",
  "attributes": {
    "L_X": 20,
    "member": "4x12 D.Fir-L No. 1",
    "n_flitch": 2,
    "t_flitch": 0.375,
    "d_flitch": 11,
    "F_y": 36000,
    "supports": [["Pinned", 0, 5.5], ["Pinned", 20, 5.5]],
    "loadsConc": [["Heavy Load", 10, {"D": [2000, 0], "L": [4000, 0]}]]
  }
}

High Temperature Application

Use case: Beam near heating equipment (100-125°F).

Code
 
{
  "preset": "genericBeam",
  "attributes": {
    "L_X": 14,
    "member": "4x10 D.Fir-L No. 1",
    "T": "100°F < T ≤ 125°F",
    "supports": [["Pinned", 0, 5.5], ["Pinned", 14, 5.5]],
    "loadsConc": [["Point Load", 7, {"D": [600, 0], "L": [1200, 0]}]]
  }
}

Repeating Member with Top Bracing

Use case: Joist-like beam with lateral bracing from sheathing.

Code
 
{
  "preset": "genericBeam",
  "attributes": {
    "L_X": 14,
    "member": "2x10 D.Fir-L No. 2",
    "repeat": "Repeating",
    "LTB_bracing": "Top Braced",
    "brace_PL": "Yes",
    "supports": [["Pinned", 0, 3.5], ["Pinned", 14, 3.5]],
    "loadsConc": [["Point Load", 7, {"D": [400, 0], "L": [800, 0]}]]
  }
}

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Next Steps

• Presets Reference - Detailed preset configurations
• Attributes Reference - Complete attribute documentation
• API Reference - Interactive endpoint testing