The span of a Glulam (glued laminated timber) beam depends on various factors, including the species of wood, the grade of the material, the size of the beam, and the load it needs to support. Generally, Glulam beams can span significant distances, often ranging from 20 to 100 feet or more.
In general, a 6×12 glulam beam can span up to around 20 feet, while a 6×14 glulam beam can span up to around 24 feet. In addition, a 6×16 glulam beam can span up to around 26 feet.
Likewise, a 4×12 glulam beam can span up to around 18 feet, while a 4×10 glulam beam can span up to around 16 feet. In addition, a 4×8 glulam beam can span up to around 12 feet, while a 4×6 glulam beam can span up to around 10 feet.
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 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).
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 thumb rule of how far can a 3 – 1/2″× 9 – 1/2″ Glulam span for the construction of wooden frame house that will help you in better understanding and to figure out or estimate of Glulam beam size and their depth and help in important for you to use the right size.
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How far can a 10″, 12″, 14″, 16″ and 18″ Glulam beam span
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.
In general, a 3-1/2″×9-1/2″ (or 10″) Glulam beam can span up to 16 feet, while a 3-1/2″×7-1/2″ (or 8″) Glulam beam can span up to 14 feet. Likewise, a 5-1/2″×11-7/8″ (or 12″) Glulam beam can span up to 20 feet, while a 5-1/2″×14″ (or 14″) Glulam beam can span up to 24 feet. In addition, a 5-1/2″×16″ (or 16″) Glulam beam can span up to 26 feet.
How far can a 3-1/2″× 9-1/2″ Glulam span
A 3-1/2″×9-1/2″ size or 10″ of GLULAM beam can span upto 16 feet length. So a 10″ Glulam can allow to span a maximum distance of 16 feet used for residential building on normal weight condition which providing great stability for your projects.
How far can a 3-1/2″× 7-1/2″ Glulam span
A 3-1/2″×7-1/2″ size or 8″ of GLULAM beam can span from 12 to 14 feet length. So, an 8″ Glulam can span upto 14 to 16 feet used for residential building on normal weight condition which providing great stability for your projects.
How far can a 5-1/2″× 11-7/8″ Glulam span
A 5- 1/2″×11-7/8″ size or 12″ of GLULAM beam can span upto 20 feet length. So, a 12″ Glulam can span upto 20 feet used for residential building on normal weight condition which providing great stability for your projects.
How far can a 5-1/2″× 16″ Glulam span
A 5- 1/2″×16″ size or 16″ of GLULAM beam can span upto 24 to 26 feet length. So, a 16″ Glulam can span upto 24 to 26 feet used for residential building on normal weight condition which providing great stability for your projects.
How far can a 5-1/2″× 14″ Glulam span
A 5-1/2″×14″ size or 14″ of GLULAM beam can span upto 24 feet length. So, a 14″ Glulam can span upto 24 feet used for residential building on normal weight condition which providing great stability for your projects.
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Conclusions:-
As per general thumb rule, a 5- 1/2″×16″ size or 16″ of GLULAM beam can span upto 24 to 26 feet length.