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Handrails &
Ballustrades
Handrail and balustrade design is governed by
the definintion of key load bearing components and related spanning
issues - as shown in Figure 3. Spans and sizes have been calculated
for domestic and residential buildings and are also suitable for
office or work areas not susceptible to overcrowding or used as
storage. (Note: Situations involving crowdy restraint or vehicular
traffic are not included - Refer BCA). Load assumptions again draw
on information from AS1170.1 (see note 2) and for:
Handrails
include:
- Uniformly distributed horizontal or vertical load -
0.75kN/m
- Concentrated load in any direction - 0.6kN
Balustrades include:
- Uniformly distributed horizontal load - 1.0 kPa
- Concentrated load in any direction - 0.5 kPa
Handrail spans and sizes in Table 4 can be used in
exterior or interior applications. The table is for F22 stress
graded timber where:
- Bending Strength of f’b = 65 MPa,
- Modulus of elasticity E = 16000 MPa,
- Joint Group = JD2).
Hardwood timbers that meet this criterion are
Blackbutt, Ironbark, River Red Gum, Spotted Gum, Tallowwood,
Turpentine and White Mahogany (Note: If free of strength reducing
characteristics).
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