Calculations of a beam: Can a timber beam 4m x 40mm x 175mm bear weight of radiator approx 125kg?

Question

Calculations of a beam: Can a timber beam 4m x 40mm x 175mm bear weight of radiator approx 125kg?

Answer 1

4m + 40mm+ 175 = 13ft+by under 2inches+1 3/4 inches.

Supporting a Weight of 125Kilo = over 250LBS no it cant.Dangerous as it will be only held by 2+ 1 3/4 Inches

Sorry Stuart F 7 Inches it is ,I was thinking of 1.75 Inches= 1 3/4 Inches my Profuse Apologies.

Answer 2

yes it can the load per square meter from 125 kg is about 4.5 t/m^2, timber can take load up to 6t/m^2

I mean the red wood

Answer 3

It depends on a number of factors, How it is supported, where it's supported and whether the load is spread over an area or a point load. It also depends on the grade of timber and to a lesser extent, where you are, as this determines the building standards etc. I would say that if the load is a point load at the centre of the beam, and the beam is of a nominal structural softwood category (C22) then it would not satisfy Brittish Standards (BS5268) due to excessive deflection, although the ultimate bending stress may be adequate. If the load is spread over say 2 metres of the bean then the deflection is reduced to meet the requirements.

Answer 4

I agree with Butch..

Does anybody know what Janus is prattling on about?

Answer 5

yes

Answer 6

Excellent answer by BILLY G.  There are too many unknowns.  In practical terms a radiator wont be a point load but if it approaches this, it could possibly be a hazard.  If you want a practical answer from an old git whose been round the block a bit, then my gut reaction would be that it would be perfectly safe especially if we're talking about a 'decent' bit of timber and if the radiator is offset.  

Yours truly,

Andy  (Good news, 1st class honours degree mechanical engineering).

(Bad news, 30 years ago)!

Answer 7

Janus was converting to imperial but messed up 175mm is 7 inches

Answer 8

it a question that difficult to answer, a beam normally sits above something, and a rad normally sits on floor boards /joists or hung on a wall, if you are standing a rad on this timber possibly, if you are s******g brackets to it then hanging the rad from said brackets then yes?