The Eurocodes are a series of standards that establish common rules across the European Economics Area (EEA) for structural design using main construction materials such as concrete, steel. masonry, timber, aluminum and glass. They allow a designer to prove compliance with the requirements of the European Construction Product Regulation and National Building Regulations.
BS EN 1995, more commonly known as Eurocode 5 or EC5, is the standard for structural timber design.
Considerable research from most member states has gone into these standards, and they are continually supported by a review evert five years. National standards bodies are required to help in the review process by collating the information relevant to their jurisdictions.
This Wood Information Sheet (WIS) is an overview of the subject with signposts to more detailed sources that are listed at the end. It outlines the major differences between Eurocode 5 and BS 5268-2 Structural use of timber which was withdrawn in 2010, and includes guidance on transitioning between the two.
Timber designers usually consider connection design to be the most difficult area in timber engineering. The traditional mechanical fasteners for structural timber are divided into two groups depending on how they transfer the forces between the connect members - 'dowel-type fasteners' and 'metal connectors'.
This Wood Information Sheet (WIS) describes the dowel-type fasteners: nails, staples, screws, dowels and bolts. These fasteners can be CE marked in accordance with BS EN 14592. With these fasteners, the magnitude of load transfer between the connected members depends on the bending behaviour of the fastener as well as the bearing stresses developed in the timber along the shank of the fastener. Friction within the interface between the two connected members and axial pullout resistances could also contribute to the shear (lateral) capacity, depending on the fastener type.
Metal connectors include fasteners such as split rings, shear-plates and punched metal plate fasteners where the load transfer is primarily achieved be bearing on to the surface of the members. This group is covered in a companion WIS 2/3-51 Timber engineering hardware and connectors (1).
BM TRADA recommends Eurocode 5 (2) for structural design of timber. However, This WIS includes a summary of variations when using BS 5268-2 Structural use of timber. Code of practice for permissible stress design, materials and workmanship (3).
This Wood Information Sheet (WIS) is an overview of the subject with signposts to more detailed sources that are listed at the end.