Glulam beam sizes: Width & Depth | what sizes do glulam beams come in | Glulam beam depth | Glulam beam width.
Glulam is glued laminated timber, also abbreviated as glulam, is a type of structural engineered wood timber product constituted by layers of dimensional lumber bonded together with durable, moisture-resistant structural adhesives. In US, the material made of wood providing the laminations is termed laminating stock or lamstock.
By laminating a number of smaller pieces of glulam lumber, a single large, strong, structural member is manufactured from smaller pieces. These structural members are used as vertical columns, horizontal beams, and arches, header, girder, rafter, purlin and ridge beam in wood frame house.
Glulam optimizes the structural values of wood. Because of their composition, large glulam members can be manufactured from a variety of smaller trees harvested from second-growth forests and plantations.
What is glulam beam (glue laminated beam)
Glulam beam is engineered wood products manufactured by through the union of individual smaller pieces of lumber with special types of industrial adhesives usually Melamine or Polyurethane resin adhesives. Its construction offers superior strength and stiffness over dimensional lumber. This type of beams is highly durable and moisture resistant, capable of generating large pieces and unique shapes.
To calculate the size of Glulam beam, convert the span length in feet to inches by multiplying with 12, divide the total span length in inches by 20 to get depth of Glulam beam. Width is 1/3 to 1/4 of the depth of Glulam beam.
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Formula to calculate Depth of the Glulam beam = Span in inches/ 20. Width of the Glulam beam = Depth of beam/ 3. For example: if span is 20 feet, then depth of glulam beam = (20 × 12)/20 = 12″, rounding as 12″ and width = 12/3 = 4″, thus, you would need 5-1/2″ × 12″ size of glulam beam to span 20 feet.
To calculate the span length of Glulam beam, by using thumb rule, multiply the depth of beam in inches by 20 to get total span length in inches, divide the span length in inches by 12, resulting figure is span of glulam beam in feet.
Formula to calculate span length of glulam beam in feet = (Depth of beam in inches × 20)/ 12. For example: how far can you span 5-1/2″ × 16″ size of glulam beam, span of glulam beam = (16″ × 20) / 12 = 320/ 12 = 27 feet, thus, 5-1/2″ × 16″ size of glulam beam can allow to span 27 feet approx.
Glulam beam sizes
Glulam beam sizes are represented by their width and depth. Depth of Glulam beam are range from 7 1/4 inches (184mm) to 23 7/8 inches (606mm). Width of Glulam beams are range from 3-1/8″, 3-1/2″, 5-1/8″, 5-1/2″, 6-3/4 inches and 7 inches.
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Depth of Glulam beam
Glulam beam depth are typically are 7 1/4 inches (184mm), 9 inches, 9 1/4 inches (235mm), 9 1/2 inches (241mm), 11 1/4 inches (286mm), 11 7/8 inches (302mm), 14 inches (356mm), 16 inches (406mm), 18 inches (457mm), 18 3/4 inches (476mm), 20 inches (508mm) and 23 7/8 inches (606mm).
Width of Glulam beam
Typical Glulam beam widths used in residential construction include: 3-1/8, 3-1/2, 5-1/8, 5-1/2, 6-3/4 inches and 7 inches. For non-residential applications, where long spans, unusually heavy loads, or other circumstances control design, custom members are typically specified.
By laminating a number of smaller pieces of glulam lumber, a single large, strong, structural member is manufactured from smaller pieces. These structural members are used as vertical columns, horizontal beams, and arches, header, girder, rafter, purlin and ridge beam in wood frame house.
Thumb rule for Glulam beam
Size of Glulam beam represented by their width and depth, as per thumb rule & general guideline, depth of the Glulam beam is 1/20th of span in inches and their width is 1/3 to 1/4 of the depth. If beam spanning is 20 feet in length, then their depth = (20 × 12) ÷ 20 = 12 inches and width is 12/3 = 4″, thus you would need 5 1/2″ × 11 7/8″ size of Glulam beam for 20 foot span.
Conclusions:
Glulam beam sizes are represented by their width and depth. Depth of Glulam beam are range from 7 1/4 inches (184mm) to 23 7/8 inches (606mm). Width of Glulam beams are range from 3-1/8″, 3-1/2″, 5-1/8″, 5-1/2″, 6-3/4 inches and 7 inches.
