1. Understanding Residential Timber
AS1684 Framed Construction
Timber Framing
Using AS 1684.2 Span Tables

2. the timber framing standard
Currently you
should be using the
2006 Edition
AS 1684 Residential timber-framed construction

3. the timber framing standard
Provides the building industry with procedures
that can be used to determine building practice,
to
• design or check construction details,
• determine member sizes, and
• bracing and fixing requirements
for timber framed construction
in non-cyclonic areas (N1 – N4)
AS 1684 Residential timber-framed construction

4. AS 1684.2 – CD Span Tables
Contains a CD of Span Tables (45 sets in all)
for wind zones N1/N2, N3 and N4 for the
following timber stress grades:
Unseasoned softwood:
F5, F7
Seasoned softwood:
F5, F7, F8,
MGP10, MGP12, MGP15,
Unseasoned hardwood:
F8, F11, F14, F17
Seasoned hardwood:
F14, F17, F27

5. Timber Framed Construction
Each set of Span
Tables contains 53
separate design tables

6. Timber Framed Construction
Using AS 1684 you should
be able to design or check
virtually every member in
a building constructed
using timber framing

7. Timber Framed Construction
Battens
Roofing
Rafters
Ridge beam
Ceiling battens
Ceiling
Flooring Hanging beams
Ceiling battens First floor wall frames
Floor joists
Ceiling
Lintel
Wall stud External cladding
Wall frame Internal cladding
Floor joists Flooring
Bearers Stumps or piles

8. AS1684
Scope & Limitations
Where can AS1684 be used?

9. AS1684 Limitations - Physical
Plan: rectangular, square or “L”-shaped
Storeys: single and two storey construction
Pitch: 35o max. roof pitch
Width: 16m max. (Between the “pitching points” of the roof,
ie excluding eaves)
16.0 m max.
W
W
16.0 m max.

10. Width
Pitching Point Pitching Point
of main roof. of main roof.
Pitching Point
Pitching Point
of verandah or
of garage roof.
patio roof.
Garage Main house Verandah
or Patio
16.0 m max. 16.0 m max. 16.0 m max.
The geometric limits of the span tables often will limit these widths.

11. Wall Height
The maximum wall height shall be 3000 mm (floor to ceiling)
as measured at common external walls,
i.e. not gable or skillion ends.

12. Design Forces on Buildings
Suction (uplift)
Construction loads (people, materials)
DEAD LOAD (structure)
Internal
pressure
LIVE LOADS (people, furniture etc.) Wind
Suction
DEAD LOAD (structure)
(a) Gravity loads (b) Wind loads
AS1684 can be used to design for Gravity Loads (dead & live)
and wind loads.

13. Wind Classification
Non-Cyclonic Regions A & B only
N1 - W28N 100km/h gust
N2 - W33N 120km/h gust
N3 - W41N 150km/h gust
N4 - W50N 180km/h gust

14. Wind Classification
Wind Classification is dependant on :
• Building height
• Geographic (or wind) region (A for Victoria)
• Terrain category (roughness of terrain)
• Shielding classification (effect of surrounding objects)
• Topographic classification (effect of hills, ridges, etc)

15. Wind Classification - Simple Reference
Geographic Region A
Site Location Below top 1/3 Top 1/3 of hill
of hill or ridge or ridge
Suburban site
1. Not within two rows from
• The city or town perimeter
as estimated 5 years hence N1 N2
• Open areas larger than
250,000m2
2. Less than 250m from
• The sea or
• open water wider than 250m
3.Within two rows from
• The city or town perimeter
as estimated 5 years hence N2 N3
• Open areas larger than
250,000m2
Rural areas

16. Using AS1684.2 Span Tables
• Design fundamentals &
basic terminology
• Roof framing
• Wall framing Click on
• Floor framing arrow to
move to
section
required

17. Design Fundamentals
&
Basic Terminology

18. Design Fundamentals
Battens
Roofing NOTE
Rafters
Ridge beam
While you might build from the
Ceiling battens
Ceiling
Bottom – Up
Flooring Hanging beams
Ceiling battens First floor wall frames
You design from the
Floor joists
Ceiling
Lintel Roof – Down
Wall stud
As loads from aboveExternal cladding
can
Wall frame Internal cladding
impact on members below – so
Floor joists start with the roof andFlooring
work
Bearers down to the ground level or piles
Stumps

19. Design Fundamentals
Roof
• Understanding the concept of a „load path‟
Load
is critical. Loads need to be supported
down the building to the ground Indirect Load path
due to cantilever
• As a general rule it is necessary
to increase the timber member size when:
– Load increases (a function of dead, live, wind loads) Ground level
– Span increases (a function of load paths across openings)
– Indirect load paths occur (e.g. cantilevers and offsets)
• It is possible to decrease timber member size
when:
– Sharing loads across many members
– Using members with higher stress grades

20. Load distribution

21. Loads distributed
Loads distributed equally between Points of support.
Of the total load on MEMBER X, half (2000mm) will
be supported by the beam or wall at A and half
(2000mm) will be supported by the beam or wall at B.
MEMBER X
A B

22. If MEMBER X is supported at 3 or more points, it is
assumed that half the load carried by the spans
either side of supports will be equally distributed.
MEMBER X
A B C
Beam B will carry 3000mm
Beam AC will carry 2000 mm load
Beam will carry 1000 mm of
(1000 mm plus the 2000 mm on the other side)

23. Span & Spacing

24. Terminology - Span and Spacing
Spacing
The centre-to-centre distance between
structural members, unless otherwise
indicated.
Joists spacing Joists span (between
(centre-line to faces of support mem
centre-line)
Bearer spacing
(centre-line to centre-line) Bearers and
Floor joists

25. Terminology - Span and Spacing
Span
The face-to-face distance between points
capable of giving full support to structural
members or assemblies.
Joists spacing Joists span (between internal
(centre-line to faces of support members)
centre-line)
Bearers and
Bearer spacing Floor joists
(centre-line to centre-line)

26. Terminology - Single Span
The span of a member supported at or near both ends with
no immediate supports.
Single span
This includes the case where members are partially cut
through over intermediate supports to remove spring.
Saw cut Joint or lap
Single span Single span
Joint or saw cut over supports

27. Terminology - Continuous Span
The term applied to members supported at or near
both ends and at one or more intermediate points
such that no span is greater than twice another.
Continuous Continuous
span span
NOTE: The design span is the average span unless
one span is more than 10% longer than another, in
which case the design span is the longest span.

28. Example: Continuous Span
6000mm
1/3 (2000mm) 1/3 (2000mm) 1/3 (2000mm)
The centre support
must be wholly within
the middle third.
•Span 1 (2000mm) Span 2 (3925mm)
75mm 75mm 75mm
Span 2 is not to be greater than twice Span 1.
This span is used to determine the size using
the continuous span tables.

29. Terminology – Rafter Span and Overhang
n
r spa
ft e
Ra
n g
e r ha
Ov
Rafter
Rafter spans are measured as the distance between
points of support along the length of the rafter and
not as the horizontal projection of this distance.

30. Terminology – Wall Construction
Loadbearing wall
A wall that supports roof or floor loads, or both
roof and floor loads.
Non-loadbearing walls
A non-loadbearing internal wall does not support
roof or floor loads but may support ceiling loads
and act as a bracing wall.
The main consideration for a non-loadbearing
internal wall is its stiffness. i.e. resistance to
movement from someone leaning on the wall,
doors slamming shut etc.

31. Terminology – Roof Construction
Coupled roof
Ridge board
Rafter
Ceiling joist
otherwise there is nothing to stop
the walls from spreading
Rafters & Ceiling Joist must be and the roof from collapsing
fixed together at the pitching points
Ridge board
When the rafters are tied
Rafter together by ceiling joists so
that they cannot spread the
Ceiling joist roof is said to be coupled
(Collar Tie)
This method of roof construction
is not covered by AS1684

32. Terminology – Roof Construction
Non-coupled roof
A pitched roof that is not a coupled roof and includes
cathedral roofs and roofs constructed using ridge and
intermediate beams.
A non-coupled roof relies on ridge and intermediate beams to
support the centre of the roof. These ridge and intermediate
beams are supported by walls and/or posts at either end.
Ridge Beam
Rafter Intermediate Beam

33. Return to menu
Roof Framing

34. Typical Basic Roof Shapes
• The footprint of a building generally
consists of a rectangular block or multiple
blocks joined together
• Roof shapes are made to Skillion
cover the footprint while also
providing sloping planes able
to shed water
Gable
(Cathedral or flat ceiling)
Hip
• Common roof shapes
Dutch Hip
(or Dutch Gable) used to cover the required
area are shown above
Hip and valley

35. Typical Roof Framing Members
Rafter Ridgeboard
Collar tie
Top plate Top plate
Underpurlin
Strut Strut
Ceiling joist Strutting
beam

36. Transferring Loads to Pitched Roofs
3. Rafters – take batten
loads and transfers
them to the support
2. Battens - take structure below e.g.
roofing loads and walls
transfers them to the
rafters/trusses
Support
wall
1. Roofing materials -
take live/dead/wind
loads and transfers
them to the battens

37. Batten Design
Batten Batten
Typical Process
Span Spacing
Step 1: Determine the wind
classification to factor in
wind loads – for the example
assume noncyclonic winds
(N1 or N2)
Step 2: Determine type of roof - tiled
roof or sheet
Step 3: Determine the batten
spacing – typically 330mm
for tiles, or 450, 600, 900,
1200mm sheet
Step 4: Determine the batten span –
this will be the supporting
rafter spacing

38. Batten Design
Batten
Span
Batten Step 5: Look up Volume 2 of AS1684 (i.e.
Spacing
non-cyclonic winds N1 & N2) and
go to the batten span tables
Step 6: Choose a table reflecting your
preferred stress grade
Step 7: Determine which column in the
table to select using the previous
“batten spacing” and
“batten span” assumptions

39. Roof Batten Design Example
Inputs required
• Wind Classification = N2
• Timber Stress Grade = F8
• Roof Type = Steel Sheet (20 kg/m2)
• Batten Spacing = 900 mm
• Batten Span = 900 mm

40. Roof Batten Size
2006
Simplify
table
Inputs required
A 38 x 75mm F8 • Wind Classification = N2
Batten Is adequate • Timber Stress Grade = F8
• Roof Type = Steel Sheet (20 kg/m2)
• Batten Spacing = 900 mm
• Batten Span = 900 mm

41. Rafter Design
Scenario - Rafters for a
Ridge beam
Cathedral Roof
Step 1: Determine the wind classification
to factor in wind loads – for the
example assume noncyclonic
winds (N1 or N2)
Step 2: Determine dead/live loads on
rafters – for the example
assume loads are as for a tiled
roof with battens e.g. 60kgs/m2
Step 3: Determine the rafter span – for Rafter
the example assume a 2100mm Spacing
single rafter span
Step 4: Determine the rafter overhang which creates a cantilever
span adding extra load – for the example assume a 500mm
overhang
Step 5: Determine the rafter spacing as this determines how much
roof loads are shared between rafters – for the example
assume a 600mm spacing

42. Step 6 Look up Volume 2 of
AS1684 (N1 & N2)
Step 7 Choose a table
reflecting your
preferred stress grade
Step 8 Determine which
column in the table to
select using the
previous “rafter
spacing” and “single
span” assumptions
Step 9 Go down the column
until reaching the
assumed rafter span
and overhang – 2100
and 500mm
Step 10 Check the spans
work with the
assumed roof load of
60kgs/m2
Step 11 Read off the rafter
size – 90x45mm

43. Rafter Design Example
Inputs required
• Wind Classification = N2
• Stress Grade = F8
• Rafter Spacing = 900 mm
• Rafter Span = 2200 mm
• Single or Continuous Span = Single
• Roof Mass (Sheet or Tile) = Steel Sheet
(20 kg/m2)

44. Rafter Size
2006
Maximum Rafter or Purlin Span & Overhang (mm)
Simplify table
Inputs required
A 100 x 50mm F8 • Wind Classification = N2
• Stress Grade = F8
rafter
• Single or Continuous Span = Single
is adequate • Rafter Spacing = 900 mm
At least
• Rafter Span = 2200 mm
2200mm
• Roof Mass (Sheet or Tile) = Steel Sheet
(20 kg/m2)

45. Ceiling Joist Design
Ridgeboard
Rafter
Ceiling Joist
Design variables
• Timber Stress Grade
• Ceiling Joist Spacing
• Ceiling Joist Span
• Single or Continuous Span

46. Ceiling Joist Design Example
Inputs required
• Wind Classification = N2
• Stress Grade = F17
• Overbatten = No
• Single or Continuous Span = Single
• Joist Spacing = 450 mm
• Ceiling Joist Span = 3600 mm

47. Ceiling Joist Size
2006
Simplify table
Inputs required
At least • Wind Classification = N2
3600mm • Stress Grade = F17
• Overbatten = No
A 120 x 45mm F17 • Single or Continuous Span = Single
• Joist Spacing = 450 mm
ceiling joist • Ceiling Joist Span = 3600 mm
is adequate

48. Ridgeboard
OTHER MEMBERS AND COMPONENTS
Member Application Minimum size (mm)
Depth not less than length of the rafter
Unstrutted ridge in coupled roof
plumb cut 19 thick
Strutted ridge in coupled roof with strut Depth not less than length of the rafter
Ridgeboards
spacing not greater than 1800 mm plumb cut 19 thick
Some members do not have to rafter Depth not less than length of the
Strutted ridge in coupled roof with strut
spacing greater than 1800 to 2300 mm plumb cut 35 thick
be designed using 50 greater in tables
Stress grade F11/MGP15 minimum and
span depth than rafters
19 thick (seasoned) or 25 thick
no lessthey aregrade
than rafter stress simply called up or
Hip rafters (unseasoned)
calculated based onmin. thickness asthan rafters
Stress grades less than F11/MGP15 members
50 greater in depth
for
rafters
Minimum stress grade, as for rafters into them
framing 50 greater in depth than rafters
Valley rafters
with thickness as for rafter (min. 35)
19 min. thick width to support valley
Valley boards See Note
gutter
Struts to 1500 mm long for all stress
90 45 or 70 70
Roof struts grades
(sheet roof) Struts 1500 to 2400 mm long for all
70 70
stress grades

49. Roof Member - Load Impacts
The loads from roof members often
impact on the design of members lower
down in the structure.
This impact can be determined from the
following load sharing calculations
Roof Load Width (RLW)
Ceiling Load Width (CLW)
Roof area supported

50. Roof Load Width
(RLW)

51. RLW - Roof Load Width
RLW is the width of roof that contributes
roof load to a supporting member
– it is used as an input to Span Tables
for
• Floor bearers
• Wall studs
• Lintels
• Ridge or intermediate beams
• Verandah beams

52. RLW - Roof Load Width
00 00
30 15
1 500
B
Roof Load Widths
A are measured on
the rake of the
roof.

53. RLW - Roof Load Width

54. RLW - Roof Load Width
x y x y
RLW wall A = a RLW wall B = b
2 2
LW RL
R W
x y
a b
The roof loads on trusses
are distributed equally
between walls 'A' and 'B'.
A B
Trusses

55. RLW - Roof Load Width
Without ridge struts
x y
RLW wall A = a RLW wall B = b
2 2
* For a pitched roof without * *
RL
ridge struts, it is assumed W RL
that some of the load from RLW RL
W RL
W W
the un-supported ridge will
travel down the rafter to x y
walls 'A' and 'B'. The RLW's a 1
2 b
for walls A & B are 3
increased accordingly.
A B

56. „RLW‟ - Roof Load Width
RL
With ridge struts W WR
RL LW
x y
a 1 2 b
3
A C B
x
Underpurlin 1 =
2
y
Underpurlin 2 =
3
y
Underpurlin 3 =
3

57. Ceiling Load Width
(CLW)

58. CLW - Ceiling Load Width
Ceiling load width (CLW)
is the width of ceiling that contributes
ceiling load to a supporting member
(it is usually measured
horizontally).
CLW
x
A B

59. CLW - Ceiling Load Width
CLW is used as an input to Span Tables
for
• hanging beams, and
• strutting/hanging beams
Ridgeboard
Hanging
beam
Ceiling joist
Roof strut
Hanging Strutting beam
beam span
'x' Strutting
beam span Underpurlin
Hanging Beam Strutting/Hanging Beam

60. CLW - Ceiling Load Width
x
CLW Hanging beam D =
2
D E
CLW CLW
x y
A B C
FIGURE 2.12 CEILING LOAD WIDTH (CLW)

61. CLW - Ceiling Load Width
y
CLW Strutting/Hanging beam E =
2
D E
CLW CLW
x y
A B C
FIGURE 2.12 CEILING LOAD WIDTH (CLW)

62. Roof Area
Supported

63. Roof Area Supported
EXAMPLE: The STRUTTING BEAM span table
requires a ‘Roof Area Supported (m2)’ input.
Underpurlin
The strutting beam shown A
supports a single strut that A/2
B
supports an underpurlin. B/2
The „area required‟, is
the roof area supported
by the strut. This is
calculated as follows:-
Strut
The sum of, half the
underpurlin spans either Strutting Beam Strutting Beam
Span
side of the strut (A/2),
multiplied by
the sum of half the A B
rafter spans either side Roof Area Supported =
of the underpurlin (B/2) 2 2

64. Strutting Beam Design Example
Inputs required
• Wind Classification = N2
• Stress Grade = F8
• Roof Area Supported = 6m2
• Strutting Beam Span = 2900 mm
• Single or Continuous Span = Single
• Roof Mass (Sheet or Tile) = Steel Sheet
(20 kg/m2)

65. F17
Simplify table
At least
2900mm Inputs required
• Wind Classification = N2
• Stress Grade = F17
• Single or Continuous Span = Single
2 x 140 x 45mm F17 • Roof Mass (Sheet or Tile) = Steel Sheet
(20 kg/m2)
members are
• Roof Area Supported = 6m2
adequate • Strutting Beam Span = 2900 mm

66. Return to menu
Top plate
Wall Framing

67. Wall Framing
Timber or metal bracing
Top plate
Sheet
bracing
Common
stud
Nogging Lintel
Wall
intersection Bottom plate
Jack stud
Jamb stud

68. Wall Studs Design Example
Inputs required
• Wind Classification = N2
• Stress Grade = MGP10
• Notched 20 mm = Yes
• Stud Height = 2400 mm
• Rafter/Truss Spacing = 900 mm
• Roof Load Width (RLW) = 5000 mm
• Stud Spacing = 450 mm
• Roof Type = Steel Sheet (20 kg/m2)

69. Wall Stud Size
2006
At least
5000mm Simplify table
Inputs required
• Wind Classification = N2
70 x 35mm • Stress Grade = MGP10
• Notched 20 mm = Yes
MGP10 wall studs
• Stud Spacing = 450 mm
are adequate • Roof Type = Steel Sheet (20 kg/m2)
• Rafter/Truss Spacing = 900 mm
• Roof Load Width (RLW) = 5000 mm
• Stud Height = 2400 mm

70. Top Plate Design Example
Inputs required
• Wind Classification = N2
• Stress Grade = MGP10
• Rafter/Truss Spacing = 900 mm
• Roof Load Width (RLW) = 5000 mm
• Stud Spacing = 450 mm
• Roof Type = Steel Sheet (20 kg/m2)

71. Top Plate Size
2006
Simplify table At least
5000mm
Inputs required
• Wind Classification = N2
2 x 35x 70mm
• Stress Grade = MGP10
MGP10 top plates • Roof Type = Steel Sheet (20 kg/m2)
are adequate • Rafter/Truss Spacing = 900 mm
• Tie-Down Spacing = 900 mm
• Roof Load Width (RLW) = 5000 mm
• Stud Spacing = 450 mm

72. Wall Lintel Design Example
Inputs required
• Wind Classification = N2
• Stress Grade = F17
• Opening size = 2400 mm
• Rafter/Truss Spacing = 900 mm
• Roof Load Width (RLW) = 2500 mm
• Roof Type = Steel Sheet (20 kg/m2)

73. Lintel Size
2006
Simplify table
Inputs required
A 140 x 35mm • Wind Classification = N2
F17 Lintel is • Stress Grade = F17
• Roof Type = Steel Sheet (20 kg/m2)
adequate • Roof Load Width (RLW) = 2500 mm
• Rafter/Truss Spacing = 900 mm
Use
Use
• Opening size = 2400 mm
3000 mm
1200mm

74. Return to menu
Floor Framing

75. Floor Members
Floor bearers
Floor joists

76. Floor Bearers
• Bearers are commonly made
from hardwood or
engineered timber products
and are laid over sub-floor
supports
• Bearers are
sized according
to span and
spacings –
typically a 1.8m
(up to to 3.6m)
grid Be
are an
rs
pa r sp
ci are
Bearer ng Be Bearer
Spacing Span

77. Floor Load Width
(FLW)

78. Example
„FLW‟ Floor If x = 2000mm
Load Width
y = 4000mm
a = 900mm
FLW A = (x/2) +a FLW A = 1900mm
FLW B =(x+y)/2 FLW B = 3000mm
FLW C =y/2 FLW C = 2000mm

79. Bearer & Floor Joist Design Example
Simple rectangular
shaped light-weight home
Floor joists
Bearers
3600
Section
• Gable Roof (25o pitch)
• Steel Sheet (20 kg/m2)
• Wind Speed = N2
4500 • Wall Height = 2400 mm
Elevation

80. Bearer Design Example
25o
roof load and Floor Joists
Bearer A supports both floor load at 450mm crs
1800
3600
Section
Floor Load Width (FLW)
Bearers at 1800mm crs
FLWA = 1800/2 = 900mm

81. Bearer Design Example
Roof Load Width (FLW)
x y
RLW wall A = a
2
W RL
RL W
x y
a b
A B
RLW = 1986 mm (say 2000 mm) + 496 mm (say 500 mm)
Total RLW On Wall A = 2500 mm

82. Bearer Design Example
Inputs required
• Wind Classification = N2
• Stress Grade = F17
• Floor Load Width (FLW) at A = 900 mm
Roof Load Width (RLW) = 2500 mm
• Single or Continuous Span = Continuous
• Roof Mass (Sheet or Tile) = Steel Sheet
(20 kg/m2)
• Bearer Span = 1800mm

83. Bearer Size
2006
Simplify table
2 x 90 x 35mm F17
members joined
Inputs required together are
• Wind Classification = N2 adequate
• Stress Grade = F17
• Floor Load Width (FLW) at A = 900 mm Use
• Roof Mass (Sheet or Tile) = Steel Sheet 1200mm
(20 kg/m2) table
Single or Continuous Span = Continuous
• Roof Load Width (RLW) = 2500 mm Use
• Bearer Span = 1800mm 4500mm

84. Floor Joist Design Example
Inputs required
• Wind Classification = N2
• Stress Grade = F17
• Roof Load Width (RLW) = 0 mm
(just supporting floor loads)
• Single or Continuous Span = Continuous (max 1800)
• Roof Type = Steel Sheet (20 kg/m2)
• Joist Spacing = 450 mm

85. Joist Size
2006
Simplify table
90 x 35mm F17 floor Inputs required
joists at 450mm crs • Wind Classification = N2
• Stress Grade = F17
are adequate
• Joist Spacing = 450 mm
• Roof Type = Steel Sheet (20 kg/m2)
• Single or Continuous Span = Continuous (max 1800)
At least • Roof Load Width (RLW) = 0 mm
1800mm • Joist span = 1800mm

86. Understanding Residential Timber
AS1684 Framed Construction
Timber Framing
Using AS 1684.2 Span Tables
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