Why is there a “TOP” stamp on my beam?
by Admin
Posted on 08-06-2024 04:19 PM
glulam
beams are manufactured in both balanced and unbalanced layups. The stock rosboro x-beam® (24f-v4) is an unbalanced layup.
In unbalanced beams, the design stress of lumber used on the tension (bottom) side of the beam is higher than the lumber used on the corresponding compression (top) side, allowing a more efficient use of the timber resource. To assure the proper installation of rosboro x-beam® products, the top of the beam is clearly stamped with the word “top”, which should be installed upward. Other rosboro products, such as big beam df®, x-rim, and esl 1. 6e are balanced because they are more commonly used in applications that require that flexibility.
Why is there a crack in my Beam?
Sometimes glulams are strictly structural and looks are not a concern, but a glulam can also be simultaneously an architectural focal point as well as a structural timber. Because of this, there are different grades and appearance choices available:
• architectural: with a smooth, attractive finish, an architectural appearance glulam should be specified for applications where it will remain exposed to view.
In this grade, you’ll find voids (holes and cracks) larger than 3/4" are filled. Low laminations are cosmetically repaired using inserts and wood fillers, corners of exposed wide faces are eased, and all exposed faces are sanded. • industrial: available as a custom order, industrial beams are intended for concealed applications where appearance is not particularly important.
Solid beams have been used for timber framing for hundreds of years. They have a classic look and feel that a lot of people love inside their homes. If you want the classic look of a timber frame home, you’ll choose a solid wood for your timber frame. A timber frame constructed out of solid beams of timber will be strong and durable, but there is the possibility that the wood will crack or check. However, engineers account for this and often the cracks or checks don’t affect the structural integrity, they just change the look of the beams.
Can you stain or paint Glulam beams?
Sealants applied to the ends of beams help guard against moisture-penetration and excessive end grain checking. A coat of sealant should be field applied to the ends of beams (see figure 4) if they are trimmed to length, dapped or otherwise cut after leaving the mill. See apa technical note: field notching and drilling of glued laminated timber beams, form s560, for additional information on field cutting of glued laminated timber. Surface sealants, which can be applied to the top, bottom and sides of beams, resist dirt and moisture intrusion and help control checking and grain raising. Specify a paintable penetrating sealant if beams are to be stained or given a natural finish.
Treated glulam beams treated glulam beams are pressure treated with a hi-clear ii, a clear industrial wood preservative. It leaves a light honey color finish that is virtually undetectable to the naked eye. It is intended for above ground exterior applications and is most common for raised deck beams. Available sizes: -allows for a one piece install that meets code -treatment does not impact structural integrity of beam, meaning predictable and long-term performance -treated with a honey color stain, leaving a visually appealing and attractive beam -can be stained using an oil based stain
it is permissible to drill a vertical hole through a glulam beam, subject to approval by a qualified engineer. Aitc-tn-19-2023 gives guidelines for the analysis of glulam beams with holes and notches.
November 26, 2021 horizontal holes like notches, holes in glulam remove wood fiber, thus reducing the net area of the beam at the hole location and introducing stress concentrations. These effects cause a reduction in the capacity of the beam in the area of the penetration. Hence, horizontal holes in glulam timbers are limited in size and location to maintain structural integrity. Figure 3 shows the zones of a uniformly loaded, simply supported beam where the field drilling of holes may be considered. These non-critical zones are located in portions of the beam stressed to less than 50 percent of design bending stress and less than 50 percent of design shear stress.