STRUCTURE:

Beam geometries make use of the fact that load-bearing capacity increases exponentially with the distance between the upper and lower areas of a structurally effective cross section. As a result, the greater the span, the greater the depth of beam is required. Referring to the manufacturing rules of thumb for 1D systems, the width of the beam comes in predetermined sizes depending on the manufacturer. Therefore, a glulam beam for an office or education program, while referring to a product chart, one can use the calculation L/16 to determine the depth of a beam. Where L = the span in millimeters.

This rule of thumb was tested on the Wood Innovation and Design Centre case study where it was a 7- storey building with spans of 8000mm with 500mm deep beams. Using the rule of thumb: 8000/16 = 500mm. It is important to note that calculating for column sizes becomes extremely complicated and should preliminarily be determined through case study examples.

In order to calculate the thickness of a CLT floor panel (2D system), one can use the calculation L/47 to determine the depth of a beam. Where L = the span in millimeters. The rule of thumb was then tested against the Wood Innovation and Design Centre case study where there are two layers of CLT panels that overlap on top of each other. For simplification, the rule of thumb was applied to the ‘bottom’ CLT panel that spans 8000mm from beam to beam. As a result, 8000/47= 170mm in relation to the 169mm specified.

To determine the ‘ceiling’ depth of a CLT panel in a 3D Module. The ceiling panel is typically ±25% thinner than that of the CLT Floor panel in a residential module, typically a 3-Layer Floor and a 3- Layer Ceiling. The rule of thumb was then tested on the European Frankfurt School case study and proved to be accurate floor to ceiling ratio for educational 3D systems.

For both 2D and 3D CLT wall panels, the range of depth is typically 80-150mm thick (Comprising 3 or 5 Layers).

• Glulam Beam Depth calculation for Office/ Education Program:
  • One can use the calculation L/16 = D to determine the depth of a beam. Where L = the span in millimeters

• One can use the calculation L/47 = D to determine the depth (D) of a panel.
• Where L = the span in millimeters

• For determining spans of 3D modules, it is recommended to reference the rules of thumb for 2D Spans as well as 2D manufacturing and transportation to ensure an easy combination of 2D and 3D systems
• For 3D modules, use 2D rule of thumb to calculate for the floor panel first
• To determine the ‘ceiling’ depth of a CLT panel in a 3D Module:
• The ceiling panel is typically ±25% thinner than that of the CLT Floor panel in a residential module