Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) as a Construction Material

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Laminated veneer lumber (LVL) is a high-strength engineered timber formed by bonding multiple thin wood veneers layer by layer using adhesives. LVL was developed to use new species and smaller trees that cannot be used to make solid sawn lumber. 

LVL is a cost-effective and sustainable building material that provides high structural strength and reliability when used in structural applications.

This article discusses the features, properties, and applications of LVL in the construction industry.

Features of Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL)

1. LVL comes under the category of structural composite lumber (SCL) and is made of dried and graded wood veneers, strands, or flakes.
2. The veneers are layered and bonded together with a moisture-resistant adhesive. The veneers are stacked in the same direction, i.e., the wood grain is perpendicular to the length of the billet (a billet is a complete board formed by stacking them).
3. The veneers used for manufacturing of LVL have a thickness of less than 3 mm and are produced using a rotary peeling technique. These veneers are well treated, scanned for defects, analyzed for moisture content, and clipped using a rotary clipper to a width equal to 1.4 m for LVL production.
4. LVL is prone to decay when exposed to high moisture content or when used in an unventilated area. Hence, LVL should be treated with preservatives to protect against decay or infestation for such applications.
5. LVL can be sawn, nailed, and drilled using normal tools. Holes can also be made on these members for the installation of services.
6. Sheets or billets of LVL are manufactured to a thickness of 35 to 63 mm and lengths up to 12 m.
7. The fire resistance of LVL is similar to that of solid timber, with a slow and predictable charring rate. The rate varies based on the timber species used and the size of the member.
8. As veneers in LVL are oriented in the same direction, they are particularly suitable for beam construction. The length, depth, and strength of LVL beams effectively carry loads over long spans.

Advantages of LVL

1. LVL has an excellent size-to-strength and weight-to-strength ratio, i.e., a smaller sized LVL possesses greater strength than solid lumber. It is also stronger in relation to its weight.
2. It is the strongest wood-based material relative to its density.
3. LVL is a highly versatile wood-based product. It can be used together with plywood, lumber, or oriented strand board (OSB).
4. Depending on the manufacturer, LVL can be manufactured in almost any size or dimension in sheets or billets. 
5. LVL is manufactured with wood material with homogeneous quality and minimum defects. Hence, their mechanical properties can be easily predicted.
6. LVL can be custom fabricated based on structural requirements.

Applications of LVL in construction

LVL can be used to manufacture I-Joists, beams, columns, lintels, roadway signposts, header, rim boards, formwork, floor bearers, etc. The high tensile strength of LVL compared to solid timber makes it a common choice for constructing trusses, purlins, truss chords, pitched rafters, etc.

LVL requires proper handling and storage requirements to avoid warping issues. Even if LVL has a low production cost, it demands a high initial capital investment. 

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