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2. LVL STRUCTURES IN FLOORS, WALLS, ROOFS AND IN SPECIAL APPLICATIONS
2.4.3 Lintels
Lintels are one of the most common applications of LVL due to
its ideal dimensions and good strength and stiffness properties.
LVL’s good shear strength also means slim cross sections can
be used as lintels for window openings. This improves the en-
ergy efficiency of timber frame wall structures as there is more
space for thermal insulation and the cold bridging effect can
be reduced. For large openings, e.g. of garage doors and car-
ports, rigid LVL-P lintels reduce deflection and enable longer
span lengths.
Figure 2.61.
Left: Straight and stiff LVL lintel for long-span garage door opening in timber frame wall; the straight, slim member has minimal
deflection. Right: Lintel for window opening inside the timber-frame wall. Key benefit is larger adaptability of opening positioning with fewer
load-bearing columns and more space for thermal insulation to improve the energy efficiency of the building envelope.
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