#2015 lvl beam span tables code#

The days of crooked and warped lumber are in the past. Engineered LVL lumber is made in a factory and is robust, straight, and more uniform than dimensional lumber. Is LVL Stronger than Dimensional Lumber?ĭimensional lumber in today’s market is grown quicker with wider spaced growth rings and is not as strong as it once was. Other manufacturers also make LVL engineered products, and all use similar processes for making engineered lumber. Weyerhauser referred to the product as “Microlam” for two years until then changed it to “Microllam.” Many still refer to Microlam when speaking of Microllam as they are frequently interchanged to identify all types of laminated veneer lumber. Microlam and Microllam refer to the same LVL product. Microlam is a common misspelling of Microllam, a Weyerhauser brand of engineered wood products. They are cut to size, wrapped, and prepped for storage or transportation. The process to get to a finished LVL beam starts with debarking the log, then rotary peeling the veneer to send the sheets to the jet tube dryers to reduce the moisture content to 8-10%.Īfter drying, the manufacturer grades the veneer sheets, gets a resin application, and compresses the sheets until dry. The most common wood used in LVL beams is Douglas fir. During World War II, plywood became an essential war material.

There is recorded use by the Chinese, English, French, and Russians well before the 20th century, and it received its first patent in 1856. An LVL engineering process uses multiple layers of thin wood assembled with adhesives.Įngineered lumber was first seen in use as early as ancient Egypt. LVL is typically made in a factory, straighter, more uniform, and stronger than traditional milled lumber. The difference is that plywood changes the grain’s direction with each layer, and LVL keeps the grain direction the same. LVL stands for Laminated Veneer Lumber and is similar to plywood in appearance. Incorporate it into your planning process for accurate and efficient LVL beam selection.Video can’t be loaded because JavaScript is disabled: What is Laminated Veneer Lumber? (LVL) () By providing a recommended LVL size based on specific project parameters, this calculator ensures the integrity and safety of your construction projects. A: Yes, the calculator is versatile and can be used for both indoor and outdoor construction projects.Ĭonclusion: The LVL Size Calculator is a valuable tool for professionals involved in structural design and construction.Q: Is this calculator suitable for outdoor projects?.Consult with structural engineers for project-specific recommendations. A: Standards may vary, and the calculator provides a general guideline.Q: Are there industry standards for LVL sizes?.A: Yes, the calculator considers varying load conditions to recommend an appropriate LVL size.

Q: Can this calculator be used for different load requirements?.

#2015 lvl beam span tables code#

A: Selecting the correct size ensures that the LVL beam can adequately support the applied loads and meets building code requirements.Q: Why is it important to choose the right LVL size?.It is commonly used for structural applications. A: LVL is an engineered wood product made by layering veneers of wood and bonding them together under heat and pressure.Q: What is LVL (Laminated Veneer Lumber)?.Click the 'Calculate' button to obtain the recommended LVL size.Įxample: For instance, if you have a beam with a span of 10 feet and a uniform load of 1200 pounds per foot, the LVL Size Calculator might recommend a size of 2x10 for your project.Input the uniform load on the beam in pounds per foot.The calculation considers industry standards and load requirements to provide a suitable LVL size. Whether you're working on residential or commercial projects, this tool ensures that your structural elements meet the necessary requirements.įormula: The recommended LVL size is determined based on the load-bearing capacity of LVL beams and the span they need to cover. This calculator takes into consideration the span of the beam and the uniform load it needs to support, providing a recommended LVL size. Introduction: The LVL Size Calculator simplifies the process of selecting the appropriate size for Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) beams in construction projects.