Splice in Wood Beam
Splice in Wood Beam
(OP)
Is there any way to make a splice in a wood beam that is too long to bring into the building in one piece? The span is 8 m and the beam depth is 400 mm.
Is it generally better to try to splice at mid-span or at the quarter point?
Is it generally better to try to splice at mid-span or at the quarter point?






RE: Splice in Wood Beam
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Splice in Wood Beam
I assume you have some corners to go around or stairs to go up. No windows or doors that can be removed to get the beam in one piece?
RE: Splice in Wood Beam
Garth Dreger PE - AZ Phoenix area
As EOR's we should take the responsibility to design our structures to support the components we allow in our design per that industry standards.
RE: Splice in Wood Beam
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Splice in Wood Beam
Maine Professional and Structural Engineer.
(Just passed the 16-hour SE exam, woohoo!)
RE: Splice in Wood Beam
Back in the "day" (further back than I dare realize).......I designed 21-foot long steel beam to allow for removal of interior bearing wall at center of 2-story house. After handing over plans, I queried owner as to whether contractor had figured out how to install........ahhhh!! Months later, pleased-as-punch owner sent photos showing final result.....so I had to ask......how did that large I-beam get in there?.......owner says crew of eleven "linebackers" working for steel fabricator hauled 'er in sliding door in back wall.......reminded me of brief tour of duty on railroad, moving steel rails........so perhaps you just need to call in the troops........or look for sky hook!
John F Mann, PE
www.structural101.com
RE: Splice in Wood Beam
To Kootk - you have a good memory -- I had forgotten about the multi-ply beam that we discussed in connection with another project! - maybe worth having a look at that possibility...thanks.
RE: Splice in Wood Beam
RE: Splice in Wood Beam
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Splice in Wood Beam
It is essential to correctly address forces involved with splice design.
For LVL, 5-1/4" thick by 16" deep (Fb = 2900 psi)....capacity of flange splice (top & bottom) would have to be about 40,000 lbs to fully develop design bending capacity of this beam. Steel plate (A36) would have to be at least 1/4-inch thick by 5-1/4 inch wide.
To connect splice plate to beam requires (90) 1/2-inch diameter lag screws on each side of joint....or 180 lag screws for tension splice at bottom (and probably same for compression splice at top unless you want to try to use compression of wood bearing at joint). Even if 3 rows are used......with spacing of 2 inches.....length of splice on each side of joint is then 60 inches which almost reaches end of beam at support!
Consideration of the magnitude of forces involved may temper enthusiasm for any multi-splice arrangement using staggered joints.......especially without any members that are full-length. At the very least, such design should be tested (perhaps at the SRE Test Labs).
John F Mann, PE
www.structural101.com
RE: Splice in Wood Beam
jfmann - the problem is not getting 8 m long wood beam; the problem is getting it into the basement of a old narrow building in downtown Toronto.
RE: Splice in Wood Beam
RE: Splice in Wood Beam
Basement in Toronto, right? Is it dry enough, warm enough to let the glue set and dry for 2-3 days without being in an oven or steam heated vessel?