Among the innovative engineered timber products introduced into Australia, two have successfully combined forces to collectively enhance domestic and commercial timber structures by achieving large clear spans and encouraging new architecture.

One recent example is the National Portrait Gallery built in Canberra. Nailplated truss and laminated veneer lumber (LVL) are engineered timber structures that are gaining a foothold in commercial buildings, where steel and concrete once dominated. The environmental benefits of building with a material that is a natural carbon store are recognised and valued by the general public.

According to MiTek Australia , a few key points need to be considered whenever laminated veneer lumber is used in trusses.

Laminated veneer lumbers are manufacturer specific: LVL is a generic term. Each manufacturer makes a different LVL product with unique structural properties according to their timber species, grades of veneer, types of glue and manufacturing processes. Each manufacturer has to provide span charts and/or design software to ensure that their product is used safely and reliably.

Each product goes by its brand name. Unlike glulam, a LVL grading system does not exist. For example, ’GL10’ is a glulam grade produced by several manufacturers to achieve properties set out in the Australian standard; whereas ’LVL13’ is the brand name of one manufacturer, not a grade of LVL.

Hence, with LVL products, it is imperative that not only the correct sizes but also the correct brand products specified in the design details are used in fabrication and construction.

As with other timber products, a tooth joint group that classifies the ability of a nailplate to grip onto the LVL is a prerequisite for truss design. The quality of the outermost layers of veneer held by the nailplate teeth dictates the veracity of this adhesion. Frequent or large voids hidden in veneers just below the surface and overly dried veneers that split easily diminish tooth holding.

Before any LVL product can be introduced into truss fabrication, it needs to be tested and evaluated for its tooth joint group. A truss detailer cannot design with one LVL product in the hope of substituting it with another ’equivalent’ product.

Thickness compatibility: All products, whether they are steel, concrete, timber, sawn or manufactured have size tolerances. For example, MGP timber has a tolerance between -0mm and +2mm of its nominated thickness. So a piece of sawn timber supplied as 35mm may be between 35mm and 37mm thick. The tolerance for thickness varies between different LVL manufacturers and can be obtained from their technical data sheets. The base thickness of some LVL products may not even be the same as gauged timber, e.g. 36mm instead of 35mm.

If LVL is mixed with gauged timber in a truss, it is important to minimise any difference in thickness across a nailplated joint. Truss plants should regularly monitor nailplated joints whenever different timber materials are combined during fabrication and take appropriate steps whenever variation in thickness exceeds the limits specified by their nailplate supplier. These few important items will ensure safe and reliable LVL trusses.

Architecture & Design Team

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MiTek Australia

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