Design of Mass Timber Columns and Walls for Gravity Loads

This chapter describes the behavior and design of columns and walls under pure axial compression forces, and discusses their response and design when subjected to combined compression and bending forces. Designers most often rely on tables or specialized software for compression member design. Bearing stress parallel to grain occurs when wood members bear on end grain, either with other wood members or with metal plates or strips. Bearing stresses are applied at an angle to the grain, such as at the support of a sloped roof panel. The chapter demonstrates some examples of axial compression design for glulam and cross-laminated timber using the allowable stress design procedure. Columns experience pure compression stresses while beams experience bending stresses, shear stresses, and bearing stresses.