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About this event

As structural engineers, we often focus on how our members will perform structurally—considering strength capacities, serviceability, and load transfers. 

However, specifying the best type of product for the design and ensuring the correct material is used on-site often receive less attention. This can lead to potential risk if the product’s properties don’t match those used in the design process.

Join Tom Rickerby, National Technical Manager at Wesbeam and Director on the Board of the Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA) on Monday, March 24, 2025, at 1 pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) to learn more about specifying engineered wood products (EWP) in your projects.

A key challenge is that Australian Standard AS 1720.1 Timber Structures does not have standard grades for LVL, and each manufacturer publishes different properties. 

So how can engineers ensure that the material used on-site meets the criteria they are using for the design? The risk engineers take by not correctly specifying products in their structural design can result in unsuitable performance on-site and, in extreme cases, structural failure.

In this seminar, we will look at EWP specifications and how you can make sure you are correctly specifying your products.

‍All registered attendees will receive a recording of the webinar after the event.

In this webinar, we will cover:

• Types of Engineered Wood Products (EWP) in the Australian market and how they differ to traditional sawn timber
• Where engineers should specify different types of EWP’s
• The importance of specification when it comes to Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL)

Webinar resources:‍

• Presentation

Summary

This in-depth webinar explored best practices for specifying Engineered Wood Products (EWPs) in Australia, highlighting their growing importance in both residential and commercial projects.

Ati Aziz from ClearCalcs opened the session by introducing ClearCalcs’s mission to simplify structural design through cloud-based calculators and tools. The main presentation was led by Tom Rickerby, Technical Manager at Wesbeam, who drew on his years of experience in structural engineering and EWP manufacturing.

Key topics discussed:

Types of EWPs and Comparisons with Sawn Timber
Tom explained how laminated veneer lumber (LVL), glue-laminated timber (glulam), cross-laminated timber (CLT), and I-joists are manufactured. Attendees learned that these products harness denser, more uniform wood fibers to deliver higher and more consistent strength than typical sawn timber. The presentation also covered the unique strengths of each option, including dimensional stability, design flexibility, and improved performance under load.

Where to Specify EWPs
A practical guide was offered for deciding whether to use LVL, glulam, I-joists, or sawn timber in different parts of a build—such as floor joists, rafters, lintels, and wall studs. Tom noted that factors like load requirements, availability, and exposure (e.g., aesthetic or weather considerations) guide the final choice. Real-world examples and design scenarios showcased how each EWP might be selected to optimize both structural reliability and ease of construction.

The Importance of Specification for LVL
A significant portion of the webinar focused on LVL specification, emphasizing that terms like “LVL13” or “LVL15” are not universal designations in Australian standards. Instead, engineers must call out specific characteristic values or specify recognized product brands. Tom illustrated how overlooking these details could lead to lower-than-expected performance in bending, shear, or deflection. The session concluded with best practices for drafting precise plan notes, referencing manufacturer data, and ensuring substitutes meet or exceed stated properties.

With a renewed push for more sustainable and efficient building materials, EWPs are becoming a mainstay in modern construction. Accurate specification ensures engineers get the best outcomes from these high-performance products, reduces potential problems during procurement, and safeguards against structural issues post-installation.

Questions and Answers

1. Is there a standard or “generic” way to specify LVL or EWP?

Answer: Not exactly. Unlike sawn timber, where grades like MGP10 or F17 appear in AS 1720.1, there is no universal grade called “LVL13” or “LVL15.” Each LVL manufacturer must publish its own characteristic values (bending strength, shear, modulus of elasticity, etc.). If you specify something like “LVL13” without referencing properties or brand, you risk using an LVL that does not meet your design requirements. You can:

1. Call out a specific brand (e.g., “240×63 Wesbeam e-beam”),
2. Provide multiple acceptable LVL options (all must meet or exceed your required properties), or
3. List minimum structural properties (bending, shear, etc.) that any manufacturer’s LVL must match or exceed.

2. Why do engineers often reference LVL with an E-value rather than an MGP or F-grade?

Answer: LVL is manufactured by bonding veneers under heat and pressure, which leads to different properties than solid-sawn timber. AS 1720.1 and AS/NZS 4357 do not provide a “generic” F-grade or MGP-grade for LVL. Instead, engineers or suppliers reference LVL by its tested properties—particularly stiffness (E or MOE)—alongside published characteristic strengths. This ensures you are designing with the actual performance of the LVL product, rather than forcing it into a sawn-timber stress grade.

3. How is LVL structurally graded—do manufacturers use machine stress grading?

Answer: Each manufacturer has its own quality-control process in line with AS/NZS 4357. At Wesbeam, for example, every veneer is weighed and assigned a density/grade category. The final LVL “recipe” is tested to confirm bending strength and stiffness. Although it differs from sawn-timber “machine stress grading,” the principle is similar: characterize the material’s properties and verify them by standardized tests.

4. How do LVL and EWPs compare to sawn timber in deflection limits?

Answer: For the same nominal stiffness (MOE), LVL’s major advantage is consistency—there are fewer natural defects like knots. Deflection checks often govern beam selection, and EWPs with higher MOE values will generally perform better. In addition, LVL typically has higher bending and shear capacities than sawn timber of a comparable density, which can also reduce the required section sizes.

5. Why do LVL properties vary between major axis and minor axis, and between different manufacturers?

Answer:

• Major vs. Minor Axis: LVL is made of multiple thin veneers oriented primarily in one direction. Its on-edge (major axis) properties differ from on-flat (minor axis) because of how the veneers and glue lines interact, especially where scarf joints or denser surface veneers come into play.
• Manufacturer Differences: Natural timber resources vary (species, density, growth conditions). Each manufacturer also has unique pressing, gluing, and grading processes. So even products labeled similarly (e.g., “E13”) may have different bending or shear characteristics.

6. Can LVL be used in bushfire-prone areas?

Answer: Yes. AS 3959 governs timber use in bushfire regions. Standard pine- or LVL-framing can be used up to certain BAL levels, with appropriate detailing and cladding. For higher BAL zones, there may be additional protective requirements. Certain states or local codes impose extra restrictions for elements like external decks. Always confirm your project’s specific requirements.

7. Can LVL be used as exposed framing in external conditions?

Answer: Yes, provided it has the correct treatment level (e.g., H3) for above-ground external exposure. Keep in mind that aesthetics may differ from a decorative glulam or visually graded sawn timber. Also note that prolonged moisture and UV exposure without a protective finish or coating can degrade the appearance, even if the structural glue bond is waterproof (A-bond).

8. How do you handle LVL notches and tapers?

Answer: AS 1720.1 (Appendix E) provides general guidelines for notching, tapering, and cutouts. Some LVL brands have tested and published details for taper-cut or splayed ends—for example, roof members or strutting beams that need to reduce from a deeper section down to 90 mm. Where no published data exists, consult the manufacturer and use Appendix E guidelines to account for the stress concentrations at cut locations.

9. What happens if EWPs (including LVL) get exposed to the elements for prolonged periods during construction?

Answer: All timber—including LVL—is hygroscopic. It can absorb moisture, swell, and eventually dry back down. LVL glue lines are typically A-bond (waterproof), so the adhesive remains intact. The primary concern is decay, mold, or structural changes if the member stays at high moisture content (above ~20%) for too long. To mitigate:

• Protect the framing where possible or allow adequate drying time before enclosing.
• Use a moisture meter to confirm it’s back under ~20% before installation finishes.
• Inspect for signs of significant warping, splitting, or fungal growth.

10. Why does LVL sometimes split when fastening (nails or screws) near edges or from top/bottom?

Answer: LVL is very dense because the veneers are tightly pressed. Insufficient pre-drilling, especially with large-diameter screws or nails near edges, can cause splitting. AS 1720.1 sets minimum spacing and edge-distance rules. In practice:

• Pre-drill where feasible.
• Follow fastener manufacturer guidelines and confirm testing has been done with LVL.
• If a specific product is commonly used, review or request the recommended installation guidelines.

11. How long can LVL beams be sourced, and can we specify an unusual length or camber?

Answer:

• Length: Standard LVL beams commonly come in lengths up to about 12.6 m to fit typical transport without special escorts. Longer beams are possible with early coordination, but shipping/logistics get more complex.
• Camber (Glulam-Specific): Off-the-shelf glulam beams usually have a standard camber or are straight. If you need a custom radius or special camber, coordinate directly with the manufacturer for a bespoke solution.

12. Do manufacturers revise their published characteristic values over time?

Answer: They can. Manufacturers may update their technical data sheets based on ongoing QA/QC testing or resource changes. Such changes usually remain small, but it’s good practice to check the latest product data (online or via the manufacturer) and keep your internal design libraries up to date.

13. Which JD (Joint Group) factor should engineers assume for LVL if the exact product is not confirmed?

Answer: Joint Group depends partly on density. Some LVLs qualify for JD3; others are JD4. To be safe, you can assume JD4 unless you know your supplier’s exact LVL is tested/verified at JD3. When in doubt, consult the product’s published data or the manufacturer directly to confirm.

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