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Re: Steel Beam Vs. Laminated Veneer Lumber

From: info@builderswebsource.com
Category: Structural
Remote Name: 63.198.181.43
Date: 26 Jan 2002
Time: 05:23 PM

Comments

Steel beams generally offer the best load-bearing capacity for a given depth. As a result, steel beams are often used for very long spans. Wood glulam beams can also support long spans, but are generally deeper for an equivalent load-bearing capacity. Laminated Veneer Lumber, or LVL, is an engineered wood replacement for traditional lumber and usually comes in 1-3/4" widths with depths up to 14". LVL can be doubled or tripled up, just like regular lumber, to provided added strength. LVL has superior, consistent properties that are tightly controlled during the manufacturing process. As a result, LVL can be easily intermixed with with traditional lumber during framing. LVL is being used increasingly for headers and small beams. Large beams carrying sizable loads, however, are generally steel or glulams.

So long as the LVL is sized to carry the appropriate load, it will perform just fine. One note of caution, however, is that many designers specify SAPN/360 live load deflection limit, which meets the minimum building code for floors. However, SPAN/480 will yield a better, stiffer floor with less bounce.

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