Parallam
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Parallam is the brand name for an engineered wood product developed by Trus Joist MacMillan (now Weyerhaeuser) which is made from veneer strands laid in parallel alignment and bonded with adhesive. It is used for beams, headers, columns, and posts, among others uses. Parallam is the only parallel strand lumber marketed in the USA. The product is rectangular, available in widths of 3½", 5¼” or 7" and depths between 9¼” and 18". The beams are continuously formed, so the length of the beam is only limited to the maximum length the manufacturing plant can handle. Typically the beams are made to a maximum length around 70 feet.
The rated strength of Parallam is greater than the wood from which it is made. This is because knots and other imperfections are removed so that strength variability is less than in solid-sawn wooden beams. Since materials are commonly graded to the lowest 5th percentile of the material's strength curve, this gives Parallam much higher usable strength. Parallam can be made from any wood species, but Douglas-fir, southern pine, western hemlock, and yellow-poplar are commonly chosen[1] because of their superior strength.
[edit] References
- ^ Stark, Nicole M.; Cai, Zhiyong; Carll, Charlie G., eds. (2010). Wood Handbook. Madison, WI: Forest Products Laboratory. pp. 11–21. http://www.fpl.fs.fed.us/products/publications/several_pubs.php?grouping_id=100&header_id=p.
[edit] External links
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