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IS 3629 : 1986Structural Timber - Use in Buildings - Code of Practice

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EN 1995-1-1 · ANSI/AWC NDS · AS 1720.1
CurrentSpecializedCode of PracticeStructural Engineering · Timber and Wood
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OverviewValues6InternationalTablesFAQ3Related

IS 3629:1986 is the Indian Standard (BIS) for structural timber - use in buildings - code of practice. Specifies the requirements for structural timber used in buildings, including its classification, grading, permissible defects, seasoning, and preservation. It acts as the primary material specification standard before conducting structural design.

Provides recommendations for the selection, grading, and use of structural timber members in different parts of buildings.

Overview

Status
Current
Usage level
Specialized
Domain
Structural Engineering — Timber and Wood
Type
Code of Practice
International equivalents
EN 1995-1-1:2004 · CEN (European Committee for Standardization), EuropeANSI/AWC NDS-2018 · AWC (American Wood Council), USAAS 1720.1-2010 · Standards Australia, Australia
Typically used with
IS 883IS 287IS 401IS 1141IS 1708
Also on InfraLens for IS 3629
6Key values2Tables3FAQs
Practical Notes
! Always classify timber into Group A, B, or C based on strength properties before proceeding to design.
! Ensure proper seasoning and preservative treatment according to IS 401 and IS 1141 to prevent decay and insect attack.
! Strictly monitor the maximum size of knots and slope of grain at the site, as these natural defects severely impact the structural strength.
Frequently referenced clauses
Cl. 4Classification of TimberCl. 5Grading of Structural TimberCl. 6Moisture ContentCl. 8Seasoning and Preservation
Pulled from IS 3629:1986. Browse the full clause & table index below in Tables & Referenced Sections.
timberwoodstructural timber

International Equivalents

Similar International Standards
EN 1995-1-1:2004CEN (European Committee for Standardization), Europe
HighCurrent
Eurocode 5: Design of timber structures - Part 1-1: General - Common rules and rules for buildings
Covers general design rules, material properties, and limit state design for timber building structures.
ANSI/AWC NDS-2018AWC (American Wood Council), USA
HighCurrent
National Design Specification for Wood Construction
Primary US standard for structural timber design, providing methodologies for both ASD and LRFD.
BS 5268-2:2002BSI (British Standards Institution), UK
HighWithdrawn
Structural use of timber - Part 2: Code of practice for permissible stress design, materials and workmanship
Former UK code based on permissible stress design, making its philosophy very similar to IS 3629.
AS 1720.1-2010Standards Australia, Australia
MediumCurrent
Timber structures - Part 1: Design methods
Provides limit state design methods for timber structures, including elements, connections, and durability.
Key Differences
≠Design Philosophy: IS 3629 is based on Permissible Stress Design (or Allowable Stress Design, ASD). Modern international standards like Eurocode 5 and AS 1720.1 are based on Limit State Design (LSD), which considers ultimate and serviceability limit states with partial safety factors for loads and materials.
≠Material Grading: IS 3629 classifies timber into three broad species groups (A, B, C) and structural quality grades (Select, I, II). Modern codes use a more quantitative system of strength classes (e.g., C16, C24 in Eurocode 5) or species-specific design values (NDS), which are based on characteristic properties derived from extensive testing.
≠Modification Factors: While all codes use modification factors, their derivation and application differ. IS 3629 uses factors for location (inside, outside, wet) and load duration. Modern codes use more refined factors like k_mod (load duration/moisture) and k_def (creep) in Eurocode 5, or a suite of factors (C_D, C_M, C_t, C_L, etc.) in the NDS for various conditions.
≠Connection Design: Design provisions for connections in IS 3629 are relatively basic, focusing on traditional nails, bolts, and dowels. International standards like Eurocode 5 and NDS offer highly detailed, empirically-based design rules for a wider range of modern connectors, including proprietary fasteners, gusset plates, and high-capacity screws.
Key Similarities
≈Consideration of Load Duration: All standards recognize that timber strength is dependent on the duration of the applied load. They all provide factors to increase permissible/characteristic strength for short-duration loads (like wind or seismic) and maintain or decrease it for permanent loads.
≈Adjustment for Moisture Content: All codes acknowledge that timber properties are significantly affected by moisture content. They require designers to adjust strength and stiffness values based on the service conditions, typically differentiating between dry (internal) and wet (exposed) use.
≈Buckling and Stability Checks: The fundamental principles for checking the stability of compression members (columns) and the lateral-torsional buckling of beams are common across all standards. They all use slenderness ratios to determine the reduction in compressive or bending strength.
≈Scope of Application: IS 3629 and its international counterparts all share the same primary goal: to provide a rational and safe basis for the design of structural timber elements (beams, columns, trusses) and their connections within building structures.
Parameter Comparison
ParameterIS ValueInternationalSource
Design PhilosophyPermissible Stress Design (Working Stress Method)Limit State Design (LSD) / Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD)EN 1995-1-1
Load Duration Factor (Permanent Load)1.0 (Basic stresses are defined for long-term/permanent loading)k_mod = 0.60 (for solid timber, permanent load). Characteristic strength is short-term, so it's reduced for permanent load.EN 1995-1-1
Load Duration Factor (Short Term, e.g., wind)1.5 (as per Clause 5.2.1.2 for short term loading)C_D = 1.6 (Load Duration Factor for wind/seismic load in ASD)ANSI/AWC NDS
Strength Modification for Wet Location (Bending)0.80 (Modification factor for 'wet' location from Table 2)C_M = 0.85 (Wet Service Factor for bending stress, Fb, for lumber ≥ 5 in. thick)ANSI/AWC NDS
Column Slenderness Limit (l/d)Slenderness ratio shall not exceed 50 for a solid column (Clause 9.5.1).Slenderness ratio (Le/d) for compression members should preferably not exceed 50.ANSI/AWC NDS
Notched Beam Shear StrengthShear stress calculated using effective depth at the notch (Clause 8.4.2).Shear stress is increased by a factor depending on notch geometry and location (e.g., Eurocode 5, Eq. 6.55).EN 1995-1-1
Bearing Stress (Perpendicular to Grain)A single permissible compressive stress perpendicular to grain is provided.A modification factor (k_c,⟂) is applied to account for the length and position of the bearing area.EN 1995-1-1
⚠ Verify details from original standards before use

Key Values6

Quick Reference Values
Modulus of Elasticity (Group A Timber)> 12.5 kN/mm²
Modulus of Elasticity (Group B Timber)9.8 to 12.5 kN/mm²
Modulus of Elasticity (Group C Timber)5.6 to 9.8 kN/mm²
Maximum Slope of Grain (Select Grade)1 in 20
Maximum Slope of Grain (Grade I)1 in 15
Maximum Slope of Grain (Grade II)1 in 10

Tables & Referenced Sections

Key Tables
Table 1 - Grouping of Structural Timbers
Table 2 - Permissible Defects for Different Grades
Key Clauses
Clause 4 - Classification of Timber
Clause 5 - Grading of Structural Timber
Clause 6 - Moisture Content
Clause 8 - Seasoning and Preservation

Related Resources on InfraLens

Cross-Referenced Codes
IS 883:1994Code of Practice for Design of Timber Structu...
→
IS 287:2022Code of Practice for Design of Timber Structu...
→
IS 401:2001Code of Practice for Preservation of Timber
→
IS 1141:1993Seasoning of timber- Code of practice
→
IS 1708:2014Methods of Testing Small Clear Specimens of T...
→

Frequently Asked Questions3

How is structural timber classified?+
It is classified into three groups (Group A, B, and C) based on its Modulus of Elasticity and extreme fiber stress in bending.
What code governs the actual sizing and structural design of timber members?+
IS 883 covers the structural design and permissible stresses, whereas IS 3629 governs material classification and grading.
Are dead knots allowed in structural timber?+
Loose or dead knots are generally not permitted, but tight knots are allowed up to specified limits depending on the timber grade (Select, Grade I, or Grade II).

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