LVL Handbook EUROPE

1. LVL AS A CONSTRUCTIONMATERIAL

for each case. For example, we have replaced concrete eleva-

tor shafts with LVL-C panel structures and built intermediate

floors fromoffsite-produced LVL elements with 7-metre spans.

Floor elements have been developed so that the required mass

for acoustics is realized with dry screed panels pre-installed on

the elements already in the factory. This has further increased

the prefabrication rate and minimized the amount of site work

needed.

Structural engineer’s view of LVL,

Wenzel von Fragstein

, Germany

As structural designers focusing on wooden buildings, we de-

sign entire wood and wood-hybrid constructions. From sin-

gle-family houses to wooden multi-storey buildings and in-

dustrial hall constructions, our activities cover the whole range

of wooden buildings. Renovation of churches and historical

building as well as church towers of new buildings have al-

so been part of our project portfolio. We typically prepare the

work specifications and production drawings for manufacture

all the way down to the steering files for CNC machining. Be-

ing involved in the whole construction process in this way, we

Figure 1.12

Honkasuo multi-storey houses, Helsinki, Finland.

Puuinfo

get a lot of feedback on the technical feasibility, assembly and

cost efficiency of the structures in practice.

We use LVL in all kinds of applications, such as the renova-

tion and reinforcement of existing wooden floors, where slim

cross-section LVL reinforcement brings structural enhance-

ment to existing joist structures. We also often use ribbed panel

and box panel structures to achieve light and long-spanning

floors. In cross-laminated timber buildings, we use LVL lintels

where small cross-sections with high loadbearing capacity are

required. Occasionally, we use LVL-C panels for walls or floors

without separate stud or joist structures. Long overhangs from

thin structural panels are commonly desired for front roofs,

and LVL-C panels can be used to achieve them as they have

better strength properties than most other structural panels.

Their high strength is a result of their glued veneer structure,

which eliminates the influence of individual defects, such as

knots. LVL-C with cross veneers has significantly higher re-

sistance to splitting than solid wood, so by choosing LVL-C for

members that have high tension perpendicular to grain stress-

es, separate reinforcements can be avoided.

LVL enriches the product range of wood-based materials

significantly.

LVL Handbook Europe