Allowable Tension/shear on a 2x4

[CivilHeadache]

What's the maximum shear a 2x4 can withstand from a point load. In other words how much weight can be suspended from a ceiling joist w/ a 10 ft span? Link to table or formula available plz?

 

[fegenbush]

The values you seek are published in the National Design Specification for Wood Construction published by the American Forest & Paper Association.

 

[MikeHalloran]

With 2x4 joists on a 10 ft span, you need to also account for the weight of the ceiling itself.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[JAE]

You need to know what is the grade and species of the 2x4's. Also needed is their spacing.
This is basic wood design per NDS as fegenbush correctly notes.
You can find the NDS here:

Link to NDS

 

[a2mfk]

You need to pass this project along to a structural engineer. Your post asked about tension/shear in a 2x4 and what you are looking for is the bending capacity. Yes you should check shear but I don't think I have ever had a wood beam not work in shear that worked in bending. Scary.

 

[XR250]

I would be just as concerned about deflection

 

[msquared48]

"In other words how much weight can be suspended from a ceiling joist w/ a 10 ft span?"

It also depends on the pattern of loading (to include sheetrock and insulation, the type of load, and the exposure to the elements, to include the specific location of the point load.

Lastly, it depends on if the 2X4 is the bottom chord of a roof truss or not.





Mike McCann
MMC Engineering