Improved Utilization of Lumber in Glued Laminated Beams.

Evaluation of 120 glued laminated glulam beams provided criteria for improved utilization of lumber in such beams. Objectives were 1 to determine if lumber grade can be somewhat reduced on the compression side of beams without significantly changing design strength 2 to establish analytic procedures for incorporating lumber having had its modulus of elasticity e determined E-rated lumber into glulam beams and 3 to determine the effect on beam properties of using lumber with limited wane. The procedures developed will provide those preparing specifications a wider raw material base for glulam timber, resulting in more efficient use of our timber resource.