Economics of Glued Laminated Structures

Economic factors involving production, detailing, use, and design, affect efficient production and use of glued laminated structural material. Glulam is an important factor in helping timber hold its rightful place as a structural material in competition with other materials. Among the factors necessary for efficient production are specialized custom-built equipment, control of the grade and moisture content of lumber, cleanliness and smoothness of the surfaces to be glued, proper mixing and handling of glues, machining and positioning of scarfs, speed of lay-up, and uniform and adequate pressures. Sale and production of custom shapes and sizes require accurate and careful detailing to insure dependable results at the job site. Glulam, through proper design, can contribute to both the aesthetics and the structural considerations of a building. The warm natural tones and interesting grain patterns of wood are especially desired by architects. Instead of being bound by the dictates of a standard structural section, shape, or length, the architect or engineer is free to tailor glulam to the dimensions, clearances, and shapes required for each structure.

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