AIA Course BLS100
1 LU + 1 HSW
Weyerhaeuser is a Registered Provider with
The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems
(AIA/CES).
Credit(s) earned on completion of this program will be reported to AIA/CES for AIA
members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members and non-AIA members
are available upon request.
This program is registered with AIA/CES for continuing professional education. As
such, it does not include content that may be deemed or construed to be an
approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of construction or any method
or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material or product.
Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be addressed at
the conclusion of this presentation.
Thank you!

Recognize the advantages of specifying engineered
lumber.

Identify common engineered lumber types, including:

product composition

typical sizes

design properties

Recognize the common applications for engineered
lumber products.

Know what to watch out for: special requirements that
apply to Engineered Lumber Products.

More efficient use of wood fiber,
availability, & building trends

Predictable design values

Dimensionally stable

Allows for larger holes to
accommodate mechanicals within
joist cavities
Parallel Strand Lumber
Laminated Strand Lumber
Laminated Veneer Lumber
Wooden I-Joists
HEADERS AND BEAMS
EXPOSED
BEAMS AND
COLUMNS
EXTERIOR
DECK POSTS
AND BEAMS
HIGH MOISTURE
ENVIRONMENTS

Widths
2
”
 3 1⁄2”
 5 1⁄4”
 7"
11⁄
16

Depths
9
1⁄4”
 9 1⁄2”
 11 1⁄4”
 11 7⁄8”
 14”
 16”
 18”
D
W
* CAUTION! Treated products vary in size and availability by market and
manufacturer. Confirm availability before specifying!
Column Sizes
 3 1⁄2” x 3 1⁄2”
 3 1⁄2” x 5 1⁄4”
 3 1⁄2” x 7”
 5 1⁄4” x 5 1⁄4”
 5 1⁄4” x 7”
 7” x 7”
W2
W1

LARGE LOADS
-

LONG SPANS
-

CANTILEVERS/
MULTI-SPAN

EXPOSED

EXTERIOR
-
-
-
Supports heavier loads than
comparably sized conventional
Glulam or solid-sawn lumber
Supports long spans for open
floor plans
Excellent for cantilever &
multi-span applications
Exposed PSL beams add aesthetic value
Can be treated for exterior uses (regional)
HEADERS
BEAMS
Depths:
5 ½”
 7 ¼”
 9 ½”
 11 7/8”

14”
 16”
 18”

Width: 1 ¾” (common to use multi-ply members)

MULTI-PLY
APPLICATIONS
-

STRAIGHT/TRUE
-

STRENGTH/WEIGHT
-

PREDICTABLE
PERFORMANCE
-
Up to 4 members can
be site-connected
No bowing, shrinking,
or twisting
Supports heavier loads than comparably
sized conventional lumber
No significant effect from lumber defects
HEADERS
BEAMS
WALL FRAMING
ROOF JOISTS
COLUMNS
RIM BOARD
STAIR STRINGERS
HEADERS
AND BEAMS
Widths


Widths
1 ¾”
3 ½”


Depths





43⁄8” 
51⁄2” 
71⁄4” 
85⁄8” 
9 1⁄4” 
RIM
BOARD
1 ¼”
1 1/8” *
Depths
9 1⁄2”
11 1⁄4”
11 7⁄8”
14”
16”




9 1⁄2”
11 ½”
14”
16”
STUDS
Sections
 2x4
 2x6
 1¾” x 5½”
 2x8
 1¾” x 7¼”
Lengths
2x4 – 14’
 2x6 – 22’
 2x8 – 30’

* The lateral load transfer capacity of thinner rim boards is not equivalent to 2" nominal framing and
is limited by code to 180 plf.

CONSISTENT
/UNIFORM
-

STRAIGHT/TRUE
-

TALL WALLS
-
No shimming on
headers or studs;
eliminates culls
Dimensional stability
results in solid,
straight walls
Eliminates the “hinge”
point in tall walls




CONSISTENT
/UNIFORM
-
No shimming
ONE-PIECE
HEADERS
-
Convenient widths
STRENGTH
(SHORT SPANS)
HOLES
-
-
Comparable to conventional lumber for
most residential header/beam spans
Large hole capacity

LONG
SECTIONS
-

STRENGTH
-

NAILING
-
Longer pieces for faster
installation reducing labor
and materials costs
Higher diaphragm shear
values than 11⁄8" OSB;
Stronger than comparably
sized conventional lumber
Provides a wider nailing surface for subfloor
panels; Superior fastener retention
minimizes squeaks

LSL - Strong








LVL - Stronger




Most residential loads and spans
Thicknesses good for one-piece headers
Large hole capability
Superior fastener retention minimizes squeaks
Warp resistance good for straight walls / tall walls
Size for size, stronger than dimensional lumber
Reduces aesthetic blemishes (drywall cracks, etc.)
Deeper depths
Versatile, multi-ply applications
Available with water sealant
PSL - Strongest


Large beams, heavy loads
Exposed beams, treated applications
Product M.O.E
LSL
Fb
Fv
Beam
Header
1.3 E
1700
400
1.55 E
2325
310
GOOD
BEST
LVL
1.9 E
2600
285
BETTER
GOOD
PSL
2.0 E
2900
290
BEST
GOOD FOR
LARGE
1.8 E
2400
190
Column/Stud
BEST
BEST
Beams/Header
Product
LSL
LVL
PSL
I-joist
Short
span
Long
span
Tall
Column Wall
Joists Exposed Exterior /Post Stud
Rim
Stair
stringer
Flange
Web
Flange
Web
FLOORS
RIM
ROOFS


LONG SPANS
PREDICTABLE
PERFORMANCE
-
-

STRAIGHT/TRUE
-

STRENGTH/WEIGHT
-
Can be used for longer spans
than comparably sized
conventional lumber
No significant effect from lumber
defects
No bowing, shrinking, or twisting
Supports heavier loads than
comparably sized conventional
lumber
LOAD
LOAD
COMPRESSION
Zero Stress in
Bending
TENSION
DEFLECTION
Load
29
Deflection
CAMBER
The curvature built into a member usually for the
purpose of offsetting sag.
Camber
30
Flange and web dimensions and material
can vary between manufacturers!
≠
Use the appropriate
manufacturer’s
proprietary design
values and details when
specifying.
1-3/4”
1-3/8”
3/8
”
This includes:

Span & PLF tables

Allowable hole charts

Installation & connection
details
1-3/4”
• 9-1/2”
• 11-7/8”
1-1/2”
3/8
”
2-5/16”
• 9-1/2”
• 11-7/8”
• 14”
1-3/8”
3/8
”
• 9-1/2”
• 11-7/8”
• 14”
• 16”
SPAN
LENGTH
The horizontally projected
distance between member
supports. Used for
Length measured along the
member from end to end.
Used for ordering material.
sizing calculations.
Length
Clear Span
Design Span
Out-to-Out
Simple Span
Span
Continuous Span
Span
Span
Nail into plate
w/1 [0.131” x
3”] from end into
plate
DO NOT Nail into plate
w/multiple nails
Note: Illustration
for purpose of
example only

Up to 4 members can be site-connected

Depths 16” and over must include at least two plies

Side-loaded beams require additional connection detailing

Consult manufacturer’s representative or literature
Application MUST be
looked at with software !
45o
SLIGHT OFFSET WITH I-JOISTS:


Shear transfer through web
Web knifing



Name some advantages of specifying:

Parallel Strand Lumber (PSL)

Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL)

Laminated Strand Lumber (LSL)
Which engineered wood product is best for:

Long-span joists?

Exterior column?

Short-span header over a kitchen window?

Rim?
What considerations must be made concerning i-joist
floors with walls above?
QUESTIONS
?
This concludes the
American Institute of Architects
Continuing Education System Program
7800 E. Orchard Rd., Suite 200
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
45