Sizer: Beam Mode Tutorial 1 – Determine Beam Size based on given Loads

(US)
1.1 Software Version and Standard
This tutorial was completed using WoodWorks® US 2019, and NDS 2018.
1.2 Introduction
Click here to download the Sizer file (.wwb) created from going through this tutorial.
1.3 Defining Beam Parameters
1. Click on the New Beam Mode File button on the toolbar.
2. Specify Span as 15 (ft).
3. Click on Add.
4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for two additional spans of 15 (ft) and 5.5 (ft).
5. Specify Right from the Cantilevers drop-down list.
6. Specify Timber-soft from the Material drop-down list.
7. Specify D.Fir-L from the Species drop-down list.

Sizer: Beam Mode – Tutorial 1 – Defining Beam Length and Material

Sizer: Beam Mode – Tutorial 1 – Beam Diagram

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8. Under the Supports for bearing design section, select All supports from the Applies to drop-
down list.
9. Specify Beam from the Type drop-down list.
10. Specify Timber-soft from the Material drop-down list.
11. Specify D.Fir-L from the Species drop-down list.
12. Specify No.2 from the Grade drop-down list.
13. Specify 5-1/2 (in) from the Bearing length* drop-down list.
14. Specify Same as beam from the Bearing width* drop-down list.

Sizer: Beam Mode – Tutorial 1 – Specifying Bearing Details

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1.4 Loading the Beam
1. Click on the Loads View button on the toolbar.
2. Select Dead from the Type drop-down list.
3. Specify Full Uniform Line from the Distribution drop-down list.
4. In the Magnitude field enter a value of 100 (plf).
5. Click Add.

Sizer: Beam Mode – Tutorial 1 – Loading Beam

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6. Select Live from the Type drop-down list.
7. Specify Full Uniform Line from the Distribution drop-down list.
8. In the Magnitude field enter a value of 200 (plf).
9. Click on the Pattern loading check box.
10. Click Add.
11. Change the Distribution field to Point Load and enter a magnitude of 350 (lbs) from the
Magnitude drop-down list.
12. In the Location from left bearing point (ft) field enter a value of 35.5 (ft).
13. Choose Live from the Type drop-down list and click the Pattern Loading checkbox.
14. Click Add.

Sizer: Beam Mode – Tutorial 1 – Loaded Beam

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 1.5 Designing the Beam
1. Click the Run button on the toolbar. Sizer automatically designs the member.

Note: Sizer will prompt you to save the project file.

Sizer will complete the design, and will automatically generate the Design Summary, Analysis Results,
and Analysis Diagrams. These buttons are displayed on the toolbar.

Sizer: Beam Mode – Tutorial 1 – Beam Design

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 1.6 View Design Summary
The Design Summary includes a list of sections which can resist the applied loads.
Click here to download a PDF of the design summary.

Sizer: Beam Mode – Tutorial 1 – Design Summary

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 1.7 View Analysis Results
Click the Analysis Results button on the toolbar to view the applied loads, load combinations, shear
and bending values and vertical reactions.
Click here to download a PDF of the analysis results.

Sizer: Beam Mode – Tutorial 1 – Analysis Results

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 1.8 View Analysis Diagrams
Click the Analysis Diagram button on the toolbar to view reactions, shear, bending moments and
deflection diagrams.
Click here to download a PDF of the analysis diagrams.

Sizer: Beam Mode – Tutorial 1 – Analysis Diagrams

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 1.9 Perform a Detailed Design on a Specific Section
1. From the Select a section drop-down list in the toolbar, select D.Fir-L No.1 10x10.
Sizer will complete a detailed design, and will automatically generate the Design Summary, Design
Check Calculation Sheet, Analysis Results, and Analysis Diagrams for this specific section.

Sizer: Beam Mode – Tutorial 1 – Selecting a Specific Section

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 2. Repeat step 1 to perform a detailed design on any other sections listed in the Select a section
drop-down list.
Click here to download a PDF of the design check calculation sheet.

Sizer: Beam Mode – Tutorial 1 – Design Check Calculation Sheet

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