Durability

As with other timber products, the durability of glulam will depend on the application. For external applications it will need to resist weathering, decay, insect attact and offer UV protection.

Glulam structures protected by a fully enclosed envelope should have an indefinite durability.

If the moisture content of glulam is likely to be raised to 20 per cent or more, then the timber needs to be treated with preservatives and only exterior-class adhesives should be used.

Service classes

The two main factors affecting glulam in exposed situations are species and adhesives used.

Service classes relate to the environment (temperature and humidity) in which the member will be used in service. Different types of glues are used in the manufacture of beams with different service classes. More durable glues are used for higher service classes.

All beams will require appropriate protection by paints or stains to give the required appearance and protection:

• Service class 1 - for use in indoor, controlled environments where the moisture content in the materials corresponds to a temperature of 20°C and relative humidity of the surrounding air only exceeding 65% for a few weeks of the year. This is the case for all air-conditioned buildings in Australia, and for other buildings except in coastal areas through the tropics.

• Service class 2 - moisture content in the materials corresponds to a temperature of 20°C and relative humidity of the surrounding air only exceeding 85% for a few weeks of the year. This is the case for non-air-conditioned buildings in Tropical Australia.

• Service class 3 - characterised by climatic conditions leading to higher moisture content than Service class 2, or where timber is directly exposed to sun and/or rain. This is appropriate for external timber or timber used in swimming pool enclosures.

Providing the correct species/adhesive combinations are specified, and suitable protective design and maintenance measures are implemented, glulam members will have an adequate service life in Service Class 3 (exterior exposed) applications.

The species of hardwood timber used in laminated beams destined for Service Class 3 application should be Durability Class 1 or 2. AS 1720.1 lists the durability rating of most commercial timber species used in Australia.

Most softwood species can be treated with non-leachable preservative salts, which will impart decay resistance. The level of preservative treatment specified for softwood laminated beams used in Service Class 3 applications should be H3. Similarly LOSP envelope treatment can be used satisfactorily. Check with manufacturer for recommended use.

Adhesives used to bond laminates together for Service Class 3 applications should be of the Polyphenolic/Resorcinol type.

Sizes

Manufacturers generally produce their own range of sizes, so designers should check availability. However, many manufacturers are able to produce a variety of shapes and sizes as requested. The length and shape of glulam sections is limited only by manufacturing, transport and handling capabilities.

Typical sizes can include:
Beam Depths: 120 mm to 600 mm
Beam Widths: 40, 60, 70, 80, 90, 110 and 130 mm
Max. Lengths: from 12 m to 20 m

Members of the Glue Laminated Timber Association of Australia have adopted a range of standard section sizes that are applicable to each GL Grade as follows:

Table - Uniform GL Section Sizes

Most 'straight' beams will be cambered, ie pre-curved to allow for deflection due to deadload. 'Off-the-shelf' beams are usually manufactured with a camber equivalent to a 600 m radius. Straight beams, without camber can be manufactured to order.

Grades

GL Grades
Glulam is manufactured in accordance with AS 1328.1 Glued laminated structural timber - Performance requirements and minimum production requirements and standard grades are set out in AS/NZ 1720 Timber Structures Code.

The glulam grades have been developed with a suite of structural properties which are different from the ‘F' ratings used on solid timber and the use of ‘F' ratings to grade glulam is therefore inappropriate.

See also ‘Appearance Grades'

Appearance Grades

Appearance grades relate to the aesthetic appearance of the visible surfaces of the glued laminated members. This has no bearing on structural performance.

Glulam members can be finished to the following appearance classes:

• Appearance Grade A (Select) - is intended for use in applications where appearance of the member is important and clear or painted finishes are used. Each surface of the member is planed, all surface voids are filled or repaired, and the resulting member sanded ready for a clear or opaque finish. (This type of finish is most commonly used with clear finishes).

• Appearance Grade B (Standard) - is used in applications where surface appearance is important but a machine planed finish is acceptable. It is similar to the Select finish, but voids are not filled and neither is the surface sanded. Where the beam can only be viewed from a number of metres away (as in an exposed roof beam), occupants may not see any difference between beams with Appearance Grade A and Appearance Grade B.

• Appearance Grade C (Utility) - is used in applications where appearance is not important (for example inside a roof space). No planning is used at all, and the cross section may be a little uneven, and excess glue will have marked all faces.

Regulations / Standards & Codes

The manufacture and grading of structural glulam is covered in the product standard AS/NZS1328.1 Glued Laminated Structural Timber - Performance requirements and minimum production requirements.

AS 1328.1 specifies performance requirements for glulam members and quality control requirements for manufacturers.

The Glued Laminated Timber Association of Australia (GLTAA), which represents most glulam manufacturers in Australia, conducts an independently audited Quality Assurance program for its members. This program includes regular independent testing of product. Products of participating GLTAA manufacturers are identified with the GLTAA quality mark logo.

See also www.gltaa.com/quality

*Disclaimer : The species mentioned here are just a guide and for specific information refer to Suppliers Section

Fire Resistance

Large sections of glulam, such as beams, have high fire resistance and can maintain load-bearing requirements and structural form for long periods. Fire ratings can be determined using AS 1720.4 Timber structures Part 4 - Fire resistance of structural members or from test data. Unlike steel and reinforced concrete, glulam will not twist or spall in fire.

The fire resistance requirements can be calculated using the procedure given in AS 1720.4. Depending on the fire performance requirement, metal connectors may need special fire protection.

Phenol/Resorcinol Formaldehyde gluelines are as resistant to fire as the timber and will remain unaffected in the uncharred portion of a laminated beam following a fire.

Adhesives

Different types of glues are used in the manufacture of beams with different service classes. More durable glues are used for higher service classes. Resorcinol glue should be used for treated/external members.

Adhesives used to bond laminates together for Service Class 3 applications should be of the Polyphenolic/Resorcinol type.

Glulam used for interior applications that are located in permanently dry, indoor environments may use casein adhesives.

Treatments

Most softwood species can be treated with non-leachable preservative salts, which will impart decay resistance. The level of preservative treatment specified for softwood laminated beams used in Service Class 3 applications should be H3. Similarly LOSP envelope treatment can be used satisfactorily. Check with individual manufacturers for recommended treatments and use.

The thin laminates that make up each glulam piece also allows for a better penetration of preservative and more even drying which helps eliminate checking.

Beams can be treated during manufacture. It is always better, where possible, to pre-treat beams before finishing ensuring full protection is achieved. For example, a H3 treatment, suitable for exposure to the elements would be impregnated into the beam during manufacture. Suitable post treatment of glulam (e.g. H3 treatment) can be also achieved but care needs to be taken to re-apply treatment when drilling, notching or cutting takes place.

Design/Engineering Considerations

Glulam can be used in almost any type of building from simple dwellings to major public buildings and bridges. Its strength, stability, chemical and fire resistance, and its almost limitless range of sizes and shapes makes glulam one of the most versatile building products available today. Just as importantly, glulam also brings an impressive aesthetic quality to any project.

Glulam beams may be able to carry equivalent loads to that of steel or concrete beams, but provide a lighter, more economical material. A laminated beam will often have a higher than normal modulus of elasticity to modulus of rupture ratio.

AS1720.1 Timber Structures-Design Methods section 7 Glued-Laminated Timber Construction is the primary reference for the structural design of glulam elements. Glued laminated timber that complies with its product standard AS/NZS1328.1 will carry a stamp that indicates its compliance and can be designed using the provisions and stress grade data in Section 7 of AS1720.1.

Section Properties

With its solid, rectangular cross sections, the section properties for any given glulam section is easily calculated.

Glulam can be manufactured to simple curves, multiple curves and parabolic curves. Manufacturing curved glulam involves setting up a jig to press the timber into and this may add cost to the manufacturing process.

The radius chosen also needs to be taken into consideration, as very tight radii (under 9.5 m) will require the use of thinner laminate which again may impact the cost of production when compared to producing straight glulam members.

Table - Characteristic strengths and elastic moduli for horizontally laminated glulam grades:

Handling, Storage & Protection

Glulam should not be dropped, jarred or dragged. Care must be taken to prevent damage to the finished surfaces in handling, as this may cause damage to the surfaces and edges and possibly structural damage.

Lifting or securing glulam should be done with webbing slings only. Chains and wire slings should not be used. Glulam should be lifted on its edge wherever possible and spreader bars of suitable length need to be used on long members to eliminate the possibility of overstressing the member. Special lifting arrangements may be necessary for curved and tapered beams.

Members should be supported with blocking that is spaced to supply uniform and adequate support. If covered storage is not available, the members should be blocked well off the ground at a well-drained location. Other glulam, such as reinforced glulam, curved glulam, fabricated items and other ‘special application' glulam must be handled and stored in accordance with the manufacturer's specific requirements for that product.

On-site storage
Glulam should be maintained in a dry condition on-site and protected from direct exposure to the weather. It is important to keep moisture out of the finished glulam timber. If covered storage is not available, the members should be covered with suitable non-transparent plastic or tarpaulins. The cover should be placed to preclude moisture whilst maintaining good air circulation in and around the members. Glulam members that are supplied individually wrapped should be placed on supports with the wrapping material edge or seal face down.

Glulam when installed should be protected from direct exposure to the weather, especially moisture unless specifically treated. A timber sealant coating or appropriate covering may be required.

Should the glulam be cut, checked, bolted or otherwise worked on, renewal of the protective sealer to the exposed or unsealed timber is required. Any covering should be placed with the edge on the underside if possible and be slit on the underside to allow moisture to escape.

Cutting Holes & Notches

Holes
Where horizontal holes need to be drilled for services, the following guidelines apply:

• Holes shall not be greater than 25 mm. If a hole greater than 25 mm is required, obtain the advice of a structural engineer or contact the beam manufacturer.

• Holes should be restricted to the middle third of the span only.

• Holes should only be cut within the middle third of the depth.

• If holes need to be drilled near the supports, obtain the advice of a structural engineer or contact the beam manufacturer.

If vertical holes are necessary to provide electrical or plumbing services within the span, its suitability will depend on the size and location of the hole. Again, seek advice from a structural engineer or the beam manufacturer.

Notches
Notches seriously reduce the strength of a beam, particularly if located in the tension zone. Unless allowance has been made in the design, no notches should be made. Shear reinforcement may be necessary if notching is required.

Notches on the upper side at the bearing area may be made to a maximum of 40% of the depth of a member.

Large holes and notches should be avoided as they will disrupt the stress flow in the structure.

Maintenance

The lamination process and use of treated timber minimises the natural propensity to check, twist, warp or shrink. This means glulam remains dimensionally stable over time, however there are still some maintenance considerations.

Timber laminated members in exposed applications will give excellent service life if the protective design and coating measures are maintained to limit the effect of weathering. A maintenance schedule should be documented and implemented for all structures. Coatings should be renewed in accordance with manufacturers' instructions and joint and capping details kept in good repair.

Workability

Glulam is easy to work with normal woodworking tools, as well as machining and fabrication. Structural framing is significantly lighter than its steel equivalent and this is advantageous to builders.

Glulam can be nailed, screwed and drilled and should be easy to work for most tradespeople.

Sustainability

It is becoming increasingly common for small, fast growing timber species to be used to make long length glulam beams.

There is less environmental impact and less cost to produce a glulam beam when compared to producing steel or concrete.

Joints & Connectors

Connections of glulam members are usually made with bolts or plain steel nails and steel plates.

For smaller members, proprietary light metal connectors are most commonly used but must be selected taking into account the imposed loads. Appropriate data is available from connector manufacturers such as Pryda, MiTek and Simpson Strong-Tie.

For heavy glulam construction, specifically designed and fabricated metal connectors are generally necessary and must be installed strictly in accordance with the design information e.g. number and size of nails, screws, bolts, edge distances, tolerances etc.

Structural plywood gussets may also be used to join glulam, such as in knee, butt and apex joints in portal frame construction. Gussets are normally nail fixed with many nails in a predetermined pattern. Only the specified nails should be used.

Typical joints and connectors include the following:

• Face Mount Hangers

• Column Base Connections

• Beam to Column Connections

• Plywood Gusset Connections

• Concealed Connections.

Finishes

Protective finishes will prolong the service life of structures incorporating laminated timber members by excluding UV light, moisture and imparting dimensional stability to the timber members.

The following products are available:

• Oil based surface applied preservatives- available in brushing and paste forms, they impart fungal resistance and dimensional stability in the short term. They should be used to provide protection to laminated members from the elements during construction. Their compatibility with finishes intended for the long-term protection of the members should be confirmed prior to use.

• Oil based stains - these are non-film forming and penetrate the timber to provide weathering resistance while leaving the grain semi-exposed. This protective coating should be renewed annually if adequate on-going protection is to be achieved.

• Oil based paint systems - will provide the best long-term protection of laminated members in Service Class 3 conditions. Paint manufacturers' instructions should be followed, but will usually consist of a coat of oil based primer, a coat of oil based under coat and two coats of oil based exterior paint.

• Acrylic paint systems - these are popular when combined with oil based primers and recoated every five years they will provide satisfactory protection.

• Clear finishes - not recommended for timber used in exposed applications as they generally do not provide protection against UV light and require very regular recoating to maintain protection against moisture ingress.

In selecting a finish for laminated timber members in Service Class 3 conditions, consideration must be given to the need to effectively and permanently remove the effects of UV light and moisture ingress to the member. Special attention should be given to sealing exposed end grain at the end of members and joints.

Note: When exposed to UV and rain all wood will weather and grey. It is important to be aware of glulam treatments for commercial applications. Varnishes should be avoided on external use applications, in part due to the unrealistic ongoing maintenance that would be required. Dark stains can cause excessive heat retention and may dry out the material or cause splitting.