Does anyone know of a website that can convert some glulam numbers to LVL? I had an engineer draw me some plans assuming I was using Glulam. But I have decided to use LVL due to cost and easier install.
I need to convert 5 (1/8) x 16 (1/2) glulam to LVL.
Thanks guys.
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Replies
Did you ask the engineer?
Engineer
Your engineer undoubtedly used a computer program. He can change the beam in a minute. He'll just try a LVL size and see what works. Designing a beam is really trial and error. The program doesn't spit out a beam size. It (or you) inputs a size and determines whether or not it will work with the span and loads involved. If it doesn't work it tries a different size.
sizing beam
Sizing a beam by an engineer or someone with knowledge on the subject need not be by trial and error. Especially for residential construction.
If one knows the loads to be carried by the beam, the span of the beam, the deflection allowed, the type and specifications of the material that the beam is to be made of, there are formulas that can be used to determine the beam size required It can be done with pencil and paper and a calculator in a few minuets.
For 99.9% of cases involving residental construction, designing a beam is straight forward and does not need to be a trial and error affair. Even using only pencil and paper and a calculator, it can be done in a matter of minuets. There are web sites that allow one to plug in the info. and will do the calc's for you.
If one knows the design / specified live and dead loads, the area that the beam will be supporing and the span of the proposed beam, and the maximum deflection allowed / specified, one should be able to calculated the size of the beam.
There are standared formulas that the above info can be plugged into along with the design characteristic / specifications of the beam material being considered.
Obviously, one needs to have a working knowledge of the subject and if not, by all means contact your friendly engineer. If this is a permitted project, you will probably need to contact your engineer even if he is not so friendly.
I've never seen any kind of comparison chart. It usually isn't difficult to figure out the PLF loads and just design a beam.
If you take your plane to a lumberyard and tell them what you want to do, they'll have the resources to get a beam designed for you.
And it will be a beam that's available. Sometimes architects and engineers just pick something off the internet that's not readily available in your area.