LVL Handbook EUROPE

1. LVL AS A CONSTRUCTIONMATERIAL

Figure 1.2

LVL roof rafters.

1.1 INTRODUCTION

Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) is an engineeredwood product

used in a diverse range of building and bridge construction

applications. LVL beams, columns and panels have become

established as essential components in modern timber

construction due to their numerous advantages, versatility

and proven structural performance. This handbook describes

the state of the art of LVL from properties and applications to

production and design methods.

LVL is made of 3 mm thick veneers bonded together with

weather-resistant phenolic adhesive. This means that the di-

mensions of the final LVL product are not limited by the di-

mensions of the rawmaterial, and even small-diameter logs can

be used to produce large LVL beams and panels. When veneer

logs are peeled to produce veneer, any natural defects in the

wood, such as knots, are dispersed as small fragments across

the veneer. This, together with the lamination effect, eliminates

the impact of defects and results in exceptionally homogeneous

material properties. Although the production costs of LVL, like

all engineered wood products, are higher compared to sawn

timber, with LVL the same constructions can be designed with

smaller dimensions and LVL can also be used for applications

where suitable sawn timber sizes are not available.

The low deviation of LVL’s high strength and stiffness

means that these properties can be fully utilized as character-

istic values in structural design. In addition, due to the lack of

sizeable defects, the strength to weight ratio of LVL is extremely

high – LVL is twice as strong as steel in proportion to weight.

Due to its laminated structure, LVL is also dimensionally sta-

ble and free of warps, splinters and splits. LVL also comes dry

from the factory, eliminating the risk of shrinkage on site or in

the ready building, as long as the LVL members are protected

against weather exposure.

LVL is manufactured to exact dimensions, minimizing

cross cutting and sawing waste. The resulting low material

waste and uniform quality of LVL improve overall material

and time efficiency, especially in industrial applications and

off-site production of construction elements. LVL is easy to

drill, cut, fasten and fit – only standard wood working tools are

needed. LVL components are also highly portable due to their

light weight. LVL can also be easily combined with other wood

products and construction materials.

LVL is produced entirely from traceable, renewable, recy-

clable wood. It is a natural material from certified sources. LVL

also serves as a carbon store in buildings: 1 m

of LVL contains

stored carbon equivalent to 789 kg of CO

, making it an envi-

ronmentally friendly choice

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Features and Benefits

• Twice as strong as steel in proportion to weight.

• Dimensionally stable, no twists, splinters or splits due to

laminated structure.

• Homogeneous material properties.

• Uniform quality and dimensions of the end product; key ad-

vantage in industrial applications.

• Easy to drill, cut, fasten and fit, only standard wood working

tools needed.

• Precision-engineered and easily tailored.

• Can be produced to exact dimensions, minimizing cross cut-

ting and sawing waste.

• Wide range of sizes: product dimensions not limited by raw

material size.

• Light and highly portable.

• Dry from factory, moisture content 8-10% ensured minimal

shrinkage in situ.

• Easily combined with other construction products.

• Off-site production reduces construction time.

• Entirely traceable, renewable, recyclable wood from certi-

fied sources.

• Environmentally friendly carbon store: 1 m

LVL contains

stored carbon equivalent to 789 kg CO

• Production cost is higher than sawn timber, but less mate-

rial is needed to meet design specifications when building

with LVL

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LVL Handbook Europe