Glulam span rule of thumb for beam, girder and column | thumb rule to calculate Glulam beam | thumb rule to calculate Glulam girder | thumb rule to calculate Glulam column or post | Glulam beam sizes.
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.
Glulam 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.
Glulam beam size calculator
Glulam beam size calculator: 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.
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.
Glulam beam span calculator
Glulam beam span calculator: 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:- typically, sizes of Glulam beam is 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 beam are range from 3-1/8″, 3-1/2″, 5-1/8″, 5-1/2″, 6-3/4 inches and 7 inches.
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 stock 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.
In this article we know about Glulam span rule of thumb for calculating size (width and depth) of Glulam beam, Glulam girders and Glulam Column or post for the construction of wooden frame house that will help you in better understanding and to figure out or estimate of Glulam beam, girder and column size and their depth and help in important for you to use the right size.
Glulam span rule of thumb for beam, girder and column
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.
Thumb rule for Glulam girders:- girder is any member framing into a column and carrying a beam, size of Glulam girders represented by their width and depth, as per thumb rule & general guideline, depth of the Glulam girder is 1/20th of span in inches + 6″ and their width is 1/3 to 1/4 of the depth. If girder spanning is 20 feet in length, then their depth = (12 × 12) ÷ 20 = 12 inches, add 6″ extra, then overall depth 12+6 = 18 inches and width is 18/3 = 6″, thus you would need 5 1/2″ × 18 size of Glulam Girder for 20 foot span.
Thumb rule for Glulam column:- as per thumb rule & general guideline, 6×6 Glulam column or post can carry approx 600 sq ft of roof and floor area, 8×8 Glulam column can carry approx 1000 sq ft, 10×10 Glulam column can carry approx 2000 sq ft, 12×12 Glulam column can carry approx 3000 sq ft and 14×14 Glulam column can carry approx 4000 sq ft of roof and floor area. Column are usually in square cross – sections.
Conclusions:-
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. Depth of the Glulam girder is 1/20th of span in inches + 6″ and 6×6 Glulam column can carry approx 600 sq ft of roof and floor area.
Typically, sizes of Glulam beam is 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 beam are range from 3-1/8″, 3-1/2″, 5-1/8″, 5-1/2″, 6-3/4 inches and 7 inches.
