Aspen Bibliography

Pilot test of four 16-feet, wood-base composite garage headers

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Forest Products Journal

Volume

27

Issue

9

First Page

45

Last Page

48

Publication Date

1977

Abstract

Four beam types were tested in a pilot study to investigate the feasibility of designing a 16-foot garage header using 2 by 4 lumber and structural particleboard. Full-scale performance test data are very often used to gain acceptance for structural components by building code bodies and lending agencies. Generally load-deflection and load-to-failure tests are required to determine the characteristics of the unit and to make comparisons with similar or conventional construction. As an interesting sidelight only, this pilot study compares the performance of each beam type with a double 2 x 12 header, a beam once commonly used in house construction for framing a 16-foot garage opening. The study beams were 16'-6"" long and 16"" deep. They were of the ""I"" type cross section using stress-graded 2 x 4 lumber and one of four web materials: plywood; underlayment particleboard; large-flake, phenolic-bonded aspen board; and a urea-bonded mixed-hardwood board. Each beam was nail-glued at all contact surfaces between the 2 x 4 materials and web stock. The beam with the plywood web was 71% stiffer than the double 2 x 12 header, that with the aspen board, 100% stiffer and that with the mixed-hardwood board 84% stiffer. (The underlayment beam deflection data were incorrectly recorded, therefore are not included.) The plywood-web beam failed at 799 pounds per linear foot (plf), the same as the double 2 x 12 header, the aspen board at 1,008 plf , the mixed-hardwood beam at 1,714 plf and the underlayment beam at 752 plf. This was a pilot study, so that design conclusions are not warranted. In addition to testing additional replications, creep behavior and the effect of changing humidity conditions on shear deflection must be investigated.

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