Timber Beams

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Timber Beam Quick Start

Run your first wood beam calculation.

Prerequisites

• API key from Calcs.com
• A project ID (create via POST /v1/projects)

Multi-Step Workflow

The multi-step workflow gives you fine-grained control. Create a sheet, set attributes, then solve.

Step 1: Create Sheet

API Reference →

Code
 
curl -X POST "https://api.calcs.com/v1/timber-beam/sheets" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "projectId": "your-project-id",
    "preset": "floorJoist",
    "name": "Living Room Joist"
  }'

Response:

Code
 
{
  "sheetId": "648d7791-e5ea-4809-a69c-6596cb33069c",
  "name": "Living Room Joist",
  "status": "unsolved",
  "preset": "floorJoist"
}

Step 2: Set Attributes

API Reference →

Attributes are passed as flat key-value pairs (no wrapper object):

Code
 
curl -X PATCH "https://api.calcs.com/v1/timber-beam/sheets/648d7791-e5ea-4809-a69c-6596cb33069c" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "L_X": 14,
    "type": "Database",
    "member": "2x10 DF-L No.2",
    "supports": [
      ["Pinned", 0, 1.5],
      ["Pinned", 14, 1.5]
    ],
    "loadsDist": [
      ["Floor Load", 0, "L", "spacing", "TW_s", {"D": [15], "L": [40]}]
    ]
  }'

For complete attribute documentation, see Attributes Reference.

Step 3: Solve

API Reference →

Code
 
curl -X POST "https://api.calcs.com/v1/timber-beam/sheets/648d7791-e5ea-4809-a69c-6596cb33069c/solve" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"

Response:

Code
 
{
  "sheetId": "648d7791-e5ea-4809-a69c-6596cb33069c",
  "status": "solved",
  "results": {
    "passed": true,
    "utilizationRatio": 0.76,
    "summaryCheck": {
      "referenceId": "M_check",
      "value": 0.76,
      "error": false,
      "failReasons": []
    }
  }
}

Understanding Results

Field	Description
passed	true = all design checks pass
utilizationRatio	Highest demand/capacity ratio (0-1)
summaryCheck.referenceId	Which check governs the design
summaryCheck.failReasons	List of failures (empty = success)

Single-Call Alternative

API Reference →

For quick, one-off calculations, use the single-call endpoint:

Code
 
curl -X POST "https://api.calcs.com/v1/timber-beam/calculate" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "projectId": "your-project-id",
    "preset": "floorJoist",
    "attributes": {
      "L_X": 14,
      "member": "2x10 DF-L No.2",
      "supports": [["Pinned", 0, 1.5], ["Pinned", 14, 1.5]],
      "loadsDist": [["Floor Load", 0, "L", "spacing", "TW_s", {"D": [15], "L": [40]}]]
    }
  }'

This creates a sheet, sets attributes, and solves in one request.

Next Steps

• Presets Reference - All preset configurations
• Examples - More calculation recipes
• Attributes Reference - Complete attribute documentation
• API Reference - Interactive endpoint testing