Glue-laminated Timber
Glue-laminated timber (glulam) is the name given to large solid wood members manufactured by gluing many smaller pieces together. Glulam is an engineered structural material consisting of a number of graded, kiln dried and selected full length laminations - usually 45 mm thick - bonded with proven adhesives, to form a solid member of practically any length, shape or size.
The main reason for laminating is to produce larger size members than possible in solid sawn timber.
There is also an increase in strength. The strength of a single piece of timber is as strong as its weakest point, which is usually the largest knot.
In laminating, the weakest point of one piece of timber is bonded to the higher strength of adjoining pieces, thus forming a homogeneous structural component of great efficiency.
It therefore is possible to manufacture a beam with high strength timber in areas of high stress and utilise more economical lower grades in areas of low stress.
The use of thin laminations also permits better penetration of preservative, enables better and more even drying, eliminating checking, and member size is virtually limitless.
In addition the thin laminates enable the member to be finished with a curve if desired to accomplish striking architectural features.
In many ways glulam is a most versatile construction material. Members can be manufactured in uniform or varying depth to give strength where it is required.
They may be straight or curved to practically any shape, either for aesthetic reasons or to provide more structurally efficient designs than can be achieved with straight members.
Stratalam
Stratalam is the New Zealand engineered wood product that offers a high standard for cutting edge design.
It is an umbrella New Zealand brand, a quality symbol adopted by a committed group of New Zealand’s leading glulam manufacturers.
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National Wine Centre Australia
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Glue-laminated Timber
Benefits
Benefits of Glulam include:
Glulam is produced from New Zealand’s renewable plantation forests.
- Glulam is a very strong structural material in a strength-for-weight comparison.
- Depending on specific loading conditions a steel beam may be 20% heavier and a reinforced concrete beam 600% heavier than an equivalent glulam beam to carry the same load. The resulting lighter superstructure can lead to significant economy in foundation construction.
- Glulam is resistant to chemical attack and is often used in structures involved with corrosive substances such as urea, potash, fertilisers, or in tanning and pulping processes, swimming pool enclosures, and marine environments.
- In environmental impact terms, glulam is extremely cost efficient to produce. The energy consumed in producing a glulam beam from the log is only a fraction of the energy required for the production of steel from ore or concrete from limestone.
- Glulam’s natural aesthetic qualities allow the designer to express these structural elements within the building without any false facing or camouflage as is often required with other materials.
- Glulam is quickly and easily handled by carpenters who are familiar and confident in working with timber. As a result erection times are significantly reduced in glulam structures. Sub trades also find glulam structures easier and quicker for making connections and installations.