1.

0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL)

Laminated Veneer Lumber is a high-strength engineered wood product made from veneers bonded
together under heat and pressure. It is used for permanent structural applications including beams and
rafters.

Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) is a high-strength engineered wood product used primarily for structural
applications. It is comparable in strength to solid timber, concrete and steel and is manufactured by
bonding together rotary peeled or sliced thin wood veneers under heat and pressure. LVL was developed
in the 1970s and is today used for permanent structural applications including beams, lintels, purlins, truss
chords and formwork. LVL can be used wherever sawn timber is used however one of the main advantages
is that it can be manufactured to almost any length, restricted only by transportation to site.

Prior to lamination, the veneers are dried and the grains of each veneer are oriented in the same direction.
This makes LVL stronger, straighter and more uniform than solid timber and overcomes some of timber's
natural limitations such as strength-reducing knots. This gives orthotropic properties (different
mechanical properties against different axes) in a similar way to the properties of sawn timber, rather
than the isotropic properties (the same mechanical properties in each direction) in the plane of plywood.
The added durability of being an engineered wood product means LVL is less prone to shrinking or
warping. LVL can also support heavier loads and span longer distances than normal timber. LVL provides
a cost-effective and sustainable building material, delivering high structural reliability and strength.

1.2 Glued Laminated Timber (Glulam)

Glulam (also known as glued laminated timber, laminated wood, glulam beam, or classic glulam)
is a composite material with more uniform distribution and higher values of mechanical
characteristics than wood. Thin laminates are arranged so that the grain is generally parallel; they
are glued together with structural adhesives that are rigid and durable, water resistant, and resistant
to humidity, temperature, and biological factors. Laminated construction elements are industrial
construction elements characterized by a high degree of prefabrication. Glulam is one of the
lightest construction materials. Moreover, due to its outstanding elastic and mechanical
characteristics it can be used for production of individual beams and columns as well as for large-
span planar and spatial construction.

Glulam offers the additional advantage of virtually unlimited flexibility in shape and size. Straight
beams can be designed and manufactured with horizontal laminations (load applied perpendicular
to the wide face of laminations) or vertical laminations (load applied parallel to the wide face of
the laminations). An important characteristic of glulam manufacturing is that the bonding of
laminations can result in beams of higher strength than the strength of single laminations from
which they are constructed. Besides that, laminating allows control over the location of different
grades of timbers within the glulam member cross-section. By placing the strongest timbers in the
regions of greater stress (the top and bottom in the case of a bending member), the performance of
glulam member are improved. Laminating also allows the dispersion of timber defects throughout
the length of the glulam member. Nearly any species or mixed-species combination can be used
to produce glulam provided its physical and mechanical properties are suitable and the timbers can
be glued together. According to Moody and Hernandez [3],

1.3 Cross Laminated Timber (CLT)

CLT panels consist of several layers of structural lumber boards stacked crosswise (typically at 90
degrees) and glued together on their wide faces and, sometimes, on the narrow faces as well. A
cross-section of a CLT element has at least three glued layers of boards placed in orthogonally
alternating orientation to the neighboring layers. In special configurations, consecutive layers may
be placed in the same direction, giving a double layer (e.g. double longitudinal layers at the outer
faces and additional double layers at the core of the panel) to obtain specific structural capacities.
CLT products are usually fabricated with three to seven layers and even more in some cases. Figure
1 includes a diagram and photograph of a CLT panel configuration while Figure 2 is a diagram of
possible CLT panel cross-sections. Figure 3 is a diagram of a 5-layer CLT panel including both
cross-sectional views.

Thickness of individual lumber pieces may vary from 16 mm to 51 mm (5/8 inch to 2.0 inch) and
width may vary from about 60 mm to 240 mm (2.4 inch to 9.5 inch). Boards are finger jointed
using structural adhesive. Lumber is visually-graded or machine stress-rated and is kiln dried.
Panel sizes vary by manufacturer; typical widths are 0.6 m (2.0 ft.), 1.2 m (4.0 ft.), and 3 m (9.8
ft.) (could be up to 4~5 m (13.0 ~ 16.5 ft.) in particular cases) while length can be up to 18 m (60
ft.) and the thickness can be up to 508 mm (20 inches). Transportation regulations may impose
limitations to CLT panel size. Lumber in the outer layers of CLT panels used as walls are normally
oriented parallel to vertical loads to maximize the wall resistance. Likewise, for floor and roof
systems, the outer layers run parallel to the major span direction.

2.0 The Use of Material

2.1 LVL

LVL is used in many applications in conjunction with other wood products such as glulam, lumber,
plywood, and OSR; but in other instances it competes directly with these products. In the construction
industry, it is used in light construction applications where high load bearing and minimal height
requirements are important. It’s most common use is in interior residential/commercial building
applications including I-joists, truss chords, headers, and beams (Fig. 2). The prefabricated housing and
the mobile home industries are new markets

Other uses are also being targeted including trucked decking, kiln stickers, concrete forms, and
scaffolding. As previously mentioned, the product has been used by the furniture industry for many
years to produce curved furniture parts and now is being considered as a large-scale replacement for
materials currently being used by the furniture industry. Recent increases in the cost of solid lumber
make LVL attractive as a structural component in furniture. When engineered to meet necessary
requirements for strength, dimensional stability, and appearance, it can be used almost interchangeably
with solid wood in the construction of tables, upholstered furniture frames, chairs, kitchen cabinets,
shelving and bookcases, beds, and drawer sides. Since LVL can be engineered for high grade appearance
on the exposed faces, it can be used in the construction of high or low end visual or nonvisual pieces.

2.2 GLULAM

A glue-laminated timber is an engineered wood product, meaning it is made from wood but is machined
and assembled to precise specifications to create a predictable, dimensionally stable building material.
Other common engineered wood products include plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), and
laminated veneer lumber (LVL). A glulam beam looks like a stack of 2 x 4s (or larger lumber) glued
together on their broadsides. This is in contrast to other engineered members, such as LVL (laminated
veneer lumber) and Microlam beams, which look like very thick plywood, with very thin layers of wood
glued together to form a thicker mass.

Glulam members are sold in several standard widths and lengths and can be custom-fabricated to meet
almost any design specifications. They are commonly used for large curved or arching members to build
vaulted roofs, domes, and even bridges. Glulam construction offers superior strength and stiffness over
dimensional lumber, and pound-for-pound it is stronger than steel. Connections for glulam beams are
typically made with bolts or steel dowels and steel plates.

Glulam members can be used in a wide variety of applications and for both indoor and outdoor projects.
Common forms include:

 Straight beams, including lintels, purlins, ridge beams, and floor beams
 Columns, including round, square, and complex sections
 Tied rafters
 Trusses
 Tied arches
 Arched bridge supports
 Curved beams

2.3 CLT

The material consists of planks (or lamellas) of sawn, glued, and layered wood, where each layer is
oriented perpendicular to the previous. By joining layers of wood at perpendicular angles, structural
rigidity for the panel is obtained in both directions, similar to plywood but with thicker components. In
this way, the panel has great tensile and compressive strength. It has been used for infrastructure and
support in large construction sites, as forms for concreting bridges, or even as bases for tractors in
unstable terrain during the construction of dams. Its potential for small constructions has been noted
because of its interesting appearance and structural strength. Currently, there are even skyscrapers
being built with CLT parts.

The panels can function as walls, floors, furniture, ceilings, and roofs; CLT's thickness and length can be
adaptable to the demands of each project. Generally, panels made of CLT are assembled and cut in their
production, already foreseeing the joints, openings, and drills specified in the design. The parts are then
transported to the site, and then assembly takes place there.
3.0 Advantages and Disadvantages of the Product.

3.1 LVL

LVL possesses a number of qualities that position it favorably relative to solid-sawn wood products.
These characteristic advantages can be divided into two main categories: I) strength and physical
properties, and 2) economic factors. Each will be discussed further.

1. Strength and physical properties

The products are composed of layers of veneer, defects in the wood are dispersed. Natural
defects such as knots, holes, cross-grain, cracks, and splits, common in sawn lumber are
distributed randomly among the many veneer plies. As a result, there is much less variation in
strength, with corresponding allowable design stresses and higher dimensional stability than
sawn lumber (Hsu 1988). The closest analogy in solid lumber is machine stress rated (MSR)
lumber with which LVL compares favorably with regard to physical strength characteristics
(Kunesh 1978). Echols and Cumer (1973) found that 1- by 6-in. boards fabricated from Douglas-
fir veneers compared favorably with clear vertical-grain, solid boards for modulus of elasticity,
modulus of rupture, and maximum load at failure.

Depending on the intended end-use, additional advantages of LVL over solid lumber have been
identified. For example, because the product is available in 60-804 lengths, joists can often
reach from one side of a foundation to another without the need for a center support. Another
advantage is the fact that lengths of LVL I-beams are relatively light in weight, so one person can
often handle a length that would be too cumbersome to maneuver if it was solid lumber.

A potential disadvantage of a lightweight flanged shape is that it makes an effective wind

catcher, which may cause framing crews to encounter problems in windy conditions. Like solid
lumber, LVL shrinks and swells although this is not much of a problem with products such as I-
beams that use the product only for flanges. However, "solid" LVL products commonly used for
headers have surprised some contractors expecting complete stability. An 18-in.-wide piece of
LVL header stock is typically 17-'& in. wide when it leaves the mill at 8% moisture content. But it
can easily swell as much as 1/4 in. or more by the time it is ready for use at the job site, making
it 1/8 inch over its nominal dimension. The reason for this is that LVL is laid up unidirectional
and therefore has many of the physical properties of solid lumber.

2. Economic factors
A perceived disadvantage of LVL is its high per unit price relative to alternatives. One approach
to overcoming this perception is for suppliers to educate buyers in applications where strength
is required and where the installed costs can be shown to be lower In this context, the rationale
for using higher price substitutes is the value one receives Value can be defined as the
relationship of price to performance as perceived by buyers One source of value enhancement
from substituting LVL for solid wood occurs during installation because less time is typically
spent in handling the product, including time required to drill for water and electrical lines. This
 savings most likely is accrued to builders who specialize in speed and quantity installations. An
additional value advantage for custom builders relates to lengths purchased.

3.2 GLULAM

Glued laminated timber is one the most important advantage is low shrinkage of the constructed frame.
Before gluing the timber blanks are thoroughly dry in the camera, which reduces their moisture content
to 12%. This allows you to immediately begin decorating the walls of the house. For individual orders
frame comes from parts that are manufactured through the use of modern software.

Another great advantage of laminated veneer lumber is the speed of erection of a log house out of it
and the relatively low cost of construction. Without the use of specialized equipment, several collectors
can fully equip a log cabin in the shortest possible time, which in turn allows the owner to save
significant money.

The decisive advantage of laminated veneer lumber, which sets it apart from other materials is its
environmental friendliness. The house is built from it, is able to regulate the inside humidity and
temperature. The aesthetics of timber. The use of this wooden house looks very elegant and you can
make design and construction decisions, what other materials can be done.

The main drawback of laminated veneer lumber is often called its high cost in comparison with other
wood. Another disadvantage is the use in its production, adhesive of low quality. So in the future can
affect the quality of the frame, contribute to the stratification of laminated veneer lumber and its
deformation, which ultimately will affect its heat-saving properties.

3.3 CLT

1. Fire resistance

CLT has multiple strengths including the ability to become its own seismic support/bracing, its ability to
self-protect against fire, its lessened environmental impact, its renewable material source, but
there are certain limitations to it as well. One of the primary misconceptions is since wood burns, unlike
steel and concrete, it may not hold up as well in the event of a fire even though it is known steel
bend in a fire and thus required additional fireproofing. Heavy timber assemblies or solid wood
designs are able to reach the necessary fire resistance ratings for buildings types made out of non-
combustible materials. The char rate of CLT has been tested at .67 mm per min (.02 in per min) (Gagnon
& Pirvu 2011). Over the course of being exposed to fire for two hours the CLT panels will have
experienced a loss of 80 mm (2.4 in) in panel thickness. If CLT is to be left exposed, adding an extra layer
or two to the panel could result in having the equivalent to a two-hour fire rating. CLT is capable of
having fire protection built into the aesthetic qualities of the panel.

2. Seismic Performance
Seismic performance is extremely important in regions of high seismic activity. Traditional structural
systems need additional members and connections to integrate seismic design. Seismic design with CLT
is completely controlled by the connections of the panels. Large scale tests have been performed by
IVALSA (Trees and Timber Research Institute of Italy) on a seven story CLT structure in Japan
(Crespell & Gagnon 2010). The structure was exposed to record earthquake simulations including
the devastating Kobe earthquake (magnitude of 7.2 and accelerations of 0.8 to 1.2 g) with the result
of moderate damage. The extent of the damage was found to be located around the connections. A
few connections had failed, but overall the structure withstood the simulations and needed minor
repairs for re-occupancy. The CLT structure showed ductile behavior and good energy dissipation
mainly influenced by the mechanical connections used. CLT requires fewer materials for seismic
design compared to traditional structural systems and performed well during seismic testing.

Advantages

• As a renewable material, stores carbon throughout its usable lifespan

• Avoids thermal bridging (in parapet walls or flat roof solutions)

• Good delivery of airtight envelope

• Greater load distribution can reduce thickness of transfer slabs

• Lightweight reduces load on foundations so less need for materials with high embodied energy

• Need for robust upfront design may improve overall design and efficiency

• Robust finished wall will take sundry fixings

• Simple and fast onsite construction process

• Suitable for non-visible as well as exposed finishes

• Vapor-permeable wall construction

Limitations

• Requires accurately set out groundworks

• Requires completed designs ahead of start on site, to allow for offsite manufacture

• Requires external cladding or render to provide weatherproof envelope

• Use limited to above damp-proof course or equivalent level

4.0 Example of Material and Structural used.
4.1 LVL

Figure 1: Example of Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL)

Figure 2: Installed LVL beams on house structure.

4.2 GLULAM
 Figure 3: Example of Glued Laminated Timber (Glulam)

Figure 4: Winter Gardens Glulam timber structure, Sheffield.

4.3 CLT
 Figure 5: Example of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT)

Figure 6: Santo CLT Office in pottery town, Shigaraki,

5.0 URL OF Video

5.1 LVL
1- Production of LVL
https://ultralam.com/products/laminated-veneer-lumber-lvl/
2- Installation on structure
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poBtAmMwXzE
 5.2 GLULAM

1- Production of GLULAM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8uSgn5KDtU

2- Installation of GLULAM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VM-iQjF-H1k
5.3 CLT

1- Production of CLT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jokkqSTtM74
2- Installation of CLT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fS8srQNmpA

Reference

ANONYMOUS. 1993. $3.7 billion potential market for engineered lumber. Building Products Design. July:
IC-11.

BOYD, C. W., P. KOCH, H. B. MCKEAN, C. R. MORSCHAUSSER, S. B.PRESTON, ANDF.F. WENGARD. 1976.

Wood for S~NC~UI~~ and architectural purposes. Wood Fiber Sci. 8(1):3-39.

HRN R. C. Moody and R. Hernandez. Glued-Laminated Timber in Smulski, S. (Ed). Engineered wood
products – A guide for specifiers, designs and users. Madison, WI: PFS Research Foundation, Chapter 1,
1997, pp.1-1 – 1-39.

EN 386:2002. Glued laminated timber - Performance requirements and minimum production

requirements. CEN, Brussels

Km, R. H. 1978. MICRO=LAM. Structural laminated veneer lumber. Forest Prod. J. 28(7):4144.

American National Standards Institute. (ANSI). 2011. Standard for Performance-Rated Cross-Laminated
Timber. ANSI/APA PRG 320-2011. APA.