Glued laminated timber

Engineered wood product made by gluing together layers of timber

Glued laminated timber, commonly known as glulam, is an engineered wood product that is created by bonding together individual layers of dimensional lumber with durable, moisture-resistant structural adhesives. These layers, or "lamellas," are typically arranged with their grain running parallel to the length of the member, resulting in a strong and versatile building material.

History

The development of glued laminated timber dates back to the late 19th century, with significant advancements occurring in the early 20th century. The first patent for a glulam structure was issued in Switzerland in 1901. Since then, glulam has been used in a variety of applications, from residential buildings to large-scale commercial and industrial projects.

Manufacturing Process

The manufacturing of glulam involves several key steps:

1. Selection of Lumber: High-quality lumber is selected based on strength and appearance.
2. Drying and Planing: The lumber is dried to a specific moisture content and planed to ensure a smooth surface for bonding.
3. Adhesive Application: A structural adhesive is applied to the lamellas.
4. Assembly and Pressing: The lamellas are assembled into the desired shape and pressed together until the adhesive cures.
5. Finishing: The glulam members are cut to size and finished as required.

Applications

Glued laminated timber is used in a wide range of applications due to its strength, versatility, and aesthetic appeal. It is commonly used in:

• Bridges: Glulam is often used in the construction of wooden bridges due to its ability to span long distances.
• Buildings: It is used in both residential and commercial buildings, providing structural support and architectural beauty.
• Sports Facilities: Large-span structures like sports arenas and stadiums often utilize glulam for its strength and flexibility.

A glulam brace in a structure

Glulam beams in construction

Advantages

Glued laminated timber offers several advantages over traditional solid wood and other building materials:

• Strength and Durability: Glulam is stronger than steel pound for pound and can be manufactured to precise specifications.
• Aesthetic Appeal: The natural beauty of wood is preserved, making it an attractive choice for architects.
• Sustainability: As a renewable resource, wood is a sustainable building material, and glulam can be produced with minimal waste.
• Fire Resistance: Contrary to popular belief, glulam has good fire resistance due to the charring of the outer layers, which protects the inner core.

Notable Structures

Several notable structures around the world have been constructed using glued laminated timber:

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  Sheffield Winter Gardens

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  Donald Mcintyre Building, University of Cambridge

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  Richmond Olympic Oval

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  Accoya Glulam Bridge

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  Wood bridge in Montmorency

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  Cathedral of Christ the Light, Oakland

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  Lokameru structure

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  Mjøstårnet, the tallest timber building

Related Pages

• Engineered wood
• Cross-laminated timber
• Timber framing
• Wood preservation