METHOD OF MANUFACTURING GLUE LAMINATED TIMBER COLUMNS

Abstract

A method of manufacturing glue laminated timber columns involves forming a glue laminated timber panel and then cutting the glue laminated timber panel into a selected number of glue laminated timber columns. The method provides a substantial saving compared to a custom mass timber column.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing glue laminated timber columns, comprising: forming a glue laminated timber panel; and cutting the glue laminated timber panel into a selected number of glue laminated timber columns.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein boards used to fabricate the glue laminated timber panel is machine stress-rated (MSR) lumber.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the MSR lumber is a spruce-pine-fir (SPF) lumber.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the glue used to fabricate the glue laminated timber panel is a polyurethane adhesive.

5. The method of claim 1, with the glue laminated timber panel being formed by: laying out a first layer of boards; applying glue to the first layer of boards in preparation for addition of a subsequent layer of boards; laying out sequentially each subsequent layer of boards and applying glue in preparation for each subsequent layer of boards being added until a multiple layered assembly is created of a selected number of layers of boards; pressing the multiple layered assembly until the glue is cured and the glue laminated timber panel has been formed.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the multiple layered assembly is pressed in both y and z directions.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein a cross-laminated timber (CLT) press is used.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the first layer of board and each subsequent layer of board runs lengthwise and the glue laminated timber panel is cut lengthwise to form the glue laminated timber columns.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein joints between subsequent layers of boards are staggered.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the joints are staggered by approximately one half of a width of each board.

11. The method of claim 5, wherein each of the boards is 35 mm (1 inches) thick.

12. The method of claim 5, wherein each of board is 133 mm (5.25 inches) in width.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the glue laminated timber panel is approximately 8 feet wide and a length of up to 40 feet.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein boards used to fabricate the glue laminated timber panel are finger-jointed in end to end relation to achieve a selected length.

15. The method of claim 5, wherein there are up to 10 subsequent layers of boards for a total of up to 11 layers.

16. Glue laminated timber columns made by the method of claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] These and other features will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, the drawings are for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to be in any way limiting, wherein:

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a glue laminated timber panel constructed as an intermediate step in the formation of glue laminated timber columns.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a detailed end elevation view of the glue laminated timber panel illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0013] FIG. 3 is an end elevation view of the glue laminated timber panel, showing cuts made to create glue laminated timber columns.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a glue laminated timber column.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a finger jointed length of board from the glue laminated timber panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] A method of manufacturing glue laminated timber columns will now be described with reference to FIG. 1 through 5.

Method:

[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, the method involves forming a glue laminated timber panel 12 as an intermediate step. Referring to FIG. 3, the method then involves cutting the glue laminated timber panel 12 into a selected number of glue laminated timber columns 14, as shown in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 3, cut lines 15 show where cuts have been made to form glue laminated timber columns 14. Any suitable cutting machine may be used. The Applicant has used computer numeric controller (CNC) cutting equipment.

[0018] Referring to FIG. 2, the manner that glue laminated timber panel 12 is laid out is illustrated. Glue laminated timber panel is formed by laying out a lower or first layer 16 of boards 18. A layer of glue 20 is applied to first layer 16 of boards 18 in preparation for addition of a subsequent layer 22 of boards 18. Sequentially, each subsequent layer 22 of boards 18 is laid out and another layer of glue 20 applied in preparation for another of each subsequent layer 22 of boards 18 being added. This is continued until a multiple layered assembly is created of a selected number of layers of boards. The multiple layered assembly is then pressed until the glue is cured and glue laminated timber panel 12 has been formed. The preferred type of press is a cross-laminated timber (CLT) press which is capable of pressing the multiple layered assembly in both y and z directions.

[0019] Referring to FIG. 2, it can be seen that first layer 16 of boards 18 and each subsequent layer 22 of boards 18 run lengthwise in glue laminated timber panel. Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, it is preferred that glue laminated timber panel 12 be cut lengthwise in the same orientation of boards 18 to form the glue laminated timber columns. Referring to FIG. 2, it is preferred that joints 24 between subsequent layers 22 of boards 18 be staggered. This staggering is preferably by approximately one half of a width of each board 18.

[0020] While the method could be used with high quality Douglas Fir lumber, in order to minimize cost, it is preferred that the boards 18 used are a spruce-pine-fir (SPF2100MSR) lumber. SPF2100MSR is a machine stress-rated (MSR) lumber and can be substituted while still meeting engineering specifications. While the method could be used with any suitable adhesive, it is preferred that the glue used to fabricate the glue laminated timber panel be a polyurethane adhesive. The polyurethane adhesive provides the following advantages: they are fast glue curing, require less pressure and are more environmentally friendly.

[0021] While the method could be used with boards 18 of different dimensions, beneficial results have been obtained by the applicant using with 26 lumber. Boards 18 are planned prior to use to provide consistent dimensions. After planning each of the boards is 35 mm (1 inches) thick and 133 mm (5.25 inches) in width.

[0022] The cross-laminated timber (CLT) press used by the applicant can accommodate a width of 10 feet. However, care must be taken to allow room for pressing. In the result a glue laminated timber panel approximately 8 feet in width is preferred. The cross-laminated timber (CLT) press used by the applicant glue laminated timber panel can be of any length up to 40 feet. Referring to FIG. 5, the boards 18 used to fabricate glue laminated timber panel 12 are finger-jointed, as generally indicate by reference numeral 26, in end to end relation to achieve a selected length. The cross-laminated timber (CLT) press used by the applicant can accommodate first layer 16 of boards 18 and up to 10 subsequent layers 22 of boards 18 for a total of up to 11 layers.

[0023] In this patent document, the word comprising is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article a does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be one and only one of the elements.

[0024] The scope of the claims should not be limited by the illustrated embodiments set forth as examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with a purposive construction of the claims in view of the description as a whole.