The tightness of the radius will determine the thickness of the laminations.
Curved laminated timber beams.
The flexibility of glulam beams allows for the designer s creative imagination to be realised.
They resist checking and twisting because of the use of multiple plies of kiln dried lumber bonded together with waterproof phenol resorcinol adhesive.
We can even fabricate complete circles.
A nine metre radius will require a plank thickness of 45mm but a two metre.
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.
Rigidply rafters inc has been manufacturing glue laminated products since 1954.
Differing radii are achieved by adjusting the clamp layout and using different thicknesses of timber.
As a rule of thumb the thickness of plank required is the radius 200 i e.
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.
Larger cross sections can be made via special wood manufacturing processes.
Laminated beams are superior in all strength characteristics to solid sawn lumber.
The thinner the planks are the easier they are to bend which allows tighter radii to be achieved.
Curved beams are made by clamping glued lamella around an arrangement of clamp frames which are bolted to the floor.