Curved Laminated Timber Beams

They resist checking and twisting because of the use of multiple plies of kiln dried lumber bonded together with waterproof phenol resorcinol adhesive.

Curved laminated timber beams.

Curved beams creativity involves thinking outside the square and wouldn t it be great to work with a material that allows you to do just that. The tightness of the radius will determine the thickness of the laminations. The flexibility of glulam beams allows for the designer s creative imagination to be realised. We can even fabricate complete circles.

Rigidply rafters inc has been manufacturing glue laminated products since 1954. Larger cross sections can be made via special wood manufacturing processes. Glulam beams that curve in plan use plies that are oriented vertically therefore the finished height of the beam is based on standard glulam widths. Radial curved elliptical shapes and reverse curves are all possible.

Laminated beams are superior in all strength characteristics to solid sawn lumber. As a rule of thumb the thickness of plank required is the radius 200 i e. A nine metre radius will require a plank thickness of 45mm but a two metre. Use other member stress combinations e g.

Curved beams are made by clamping glued lamella around an arrangement of clamp frames which are bolted to the floor. Factory made members can be formed into any practical shape and any desired size.