Structural LVL Beam With Glued Joints for Fire Integrity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LVL beams are limited in size and require metallic materials for joints, which affect fire integrity and increase carbon emissions, while lacking optimal thermal insulation and design flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A structural LVL beam composed of multiple LVL boards assembled with glued joints, primarily finger, scarf, or W-joints, using pine and eucalyptus veneers, with fire-resistant treatments and digital printing, eliminating metal connectors and optimizing wood usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metallic materials are used for joints in LVL beams, then structural strength is improved, but fire integrity deteriorates due to heat conduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces metallic mechanical joints with glued joints that use adhesive agents. This substitution eliminates metal connectors that conduct heat during fires, thereby improving fire integrity while maintaining structural strength through the bonding mechanism of the adhesive joints.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction by assembling multiple LVL boards with different wood species (pine and eucalyptus) using glued joints. This composite approach allows optimization of both structural performance and fire resistance properties through the combination of different materials and their inherent characteristics.
2Productivity
If LVL beams are manufactured in standard lengths, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but design flexibility deteriorates for large-sized beams
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides large LVL beams into multiple standard-length segments (e.g., 2.5-meter boards) that are assembled longitudinally using glued joints. This segmentation allows efficient manufacturing of standard components while enabling the creation of large-sized beams through assembly, thus maintaining both manufacturing efficiency and design flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple standard-length LVL boards through glued joints to create longer beams. This combining approach allows the system to achieve design flexibility for large-sized beams while each individual board maintains manufacturing efficiency through standardized production processes.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If wood is used as structural material, then carbon emissions are reduced, but thermal insulation performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite construction with multiple wood species (pine and eucalyptus) having different thermal properties. This composite approach optimizes thermal insulation performance while maintaining the carbon emission benefits of using wood as a sustainable structural material.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides large-sized beams with enhanced fire resistance, reduced carbon footprint, improved thermal insulation, and aesthetic appeal, while maintaining structural integrity and reducing material waste.
Implementation Method 1
each veneer being glued to another veneer with the fibres in the same direction by means of an adhesive
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of LVL boards are longitudinally assembled by glued joints
Implementation Method 3
wood, being a poor conductor of heat, offers good thermal insulation
Implementation Method 4
when a fire starts, the surface of the wood in contact with the flames is carbonised; generating an even more insulating layer
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
Structural LVL beam comprising a plurality of LVL boards (2), each of said LVL boards (2) comprising a face veneer (20), a counterface veneer (21) and a plurality of core veneers (22-26) disposed between the face veneer (20) and the counterface veneer (21), said veneers (20-26) being glued together, at least one of said veneers (20-26) being of pine and at least one of said veneers (20-26) being of eucalyptus (20-26), the plurality of LVL boards (2) being longitudinally assembled by means of glued joints (10).