Wood Diaphragm Deflection Calculator

Wood Diaphragm Deflection Formula:

\[ \delta_d = \frac{5 w L^4}{384 G t^3} \]

Distributed Load (w):

N/m

Length (L):

Shear Modulus (G):

Thickness (t):

Deflection (δ_d):

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1. What is Wood Diaphragm Deflection?

Wood diaphragm deflection refers to the amount of bending or deformation that occurs in a wood shear wall diaphragm under load. This calculation is essential for structural engineering to ensure building safety and compliance with design standards.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the wood diaphragm deflection formula:

\[ \delta_d = \frac{5 w L^4}{384 G t^3} \]

Where:

\( \delta_d \) — Deflection (m)
\( w \) — Distributed load (N/m)
\( L \) — Length (m)
\( G \) — Shear modulus (Pa)
\( t \) — Thickness (m)

Explanation: This formula calculates the maximum deflection of a simply supported wood diaphragm under uniformly distributed load, accounting for material properties and geometric dimensions.

3. Importance of Deflection Calculation

Details: Accurate deflection calculation is crucial for structural design to prevent excessive deformation, ensure serviceability, and maintain structural integrity under applied loads.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter distributed load in N/m, length in meters, shear modulus in Pascals, and thickness in meters. All values must be positive and non-zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical shear modulus value for wood?
A: Shear modulus values for wood typically range from 0.4-1.2 GPa (400,000-1,200,000 Pa) depending on wood species and grade.

Q2: How does thickness affect deflection?
A: Deflection is inversely proportional to the cube of thickness (t³), meaning small increases in thickness significantly reduce deflection.

Q3: What are acceptable deflection limits?
A: Acceptable deflection limits vary by building code and application, but typically range from L/180 to L/360 for live loads.

Q4: Does this formula account for all deflection components?
A: This formula calculates bending deflection. Total deflection may include additional components from shear deformation and nail slip.

Q5: When is this formula applicable?
A: This formula applies to simply supported wood diaphragms with uniformly distributed load and assumes linear elastic material behavior.