A P A E W S S T A N D A R D

PRL-501Performance Standard for

APA EWS Laminated Veneer LumberPublished by Engineered Wood Systems March 2000

ENGINEERED WOOD SYSTEMS

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2CONTENTS

1. Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

2. Referenced Documents . . . . . . . . . . .3

3. Terminology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

4. Performance Criteria and Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

5. Qualification Requirements . . . . . . . .5

6. Quality Assurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5

7. Typical Information Shown on Trademarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

LICENSE FOR USE OF APA PUBLICATIONS

READ THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS CAREFULLYBEFORE CONTINUING. OPENING THIS FILE INDICATES YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THESE TERMS AND CONDITIONS.

The performance standards and design recommendations contained herein arebased on the continuing programs of laboratory testing, product research, andfield experience of APA The Engineered Wood Association, a nonprofit tradeassociation dedicated to serving the wood product industry and EngineeredWood Systems, a related corporation of APA. Through its programs, APA playsan important role in developing and improving engineered wood products andconstruction systems, and in helping users and specifiers to better understandand apply the products. APA grants you a nonexclusive, nontransferablelicense to use the performance standard, and design information contained inthis document for your internal use only. (The documentation, performancestandards, and design guides will be referred to collectively as the LicensedProduct.) All other uses are prohibited. You may not use the Licensed Productto perform certification or compliance testing for a fee.

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3PRL-501

PERFORMANCE

STANDARD FOR

APA EWS LAMINATED

VENEER LUMBER

March, 2000

1. Scope

1.1 The APA EWS Performance RatedLaminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) is aglued engineered wood composite lum-ber product manufactured by laminatingwood veneers using exterior adhesives.This standard applies to laminated veneerlumber products engineered for use instructural applications in which theprimary loading is in either the X or Ldirection (see Figure 1) such as rafters,headers, beams, joists, studs, andcolumns. Secondary face gluing shall bepermitted for edgewise bending applica-tions. Use of scaffold planks or secondaryend-jointing is beyond the scope of thisstandard.

1.2 To be classified as an APA EWSPerformance Rated LVL, the LVL productshall meet all requirements of this standard.

1.3 APA EWS Performance Rated LVL is aproduct intended for use in dry-serviceconditions where the average moisturecontent is less than 16%.

1.4 This standard provides a rating sys-tem for a series of APA EWS PerformanceRated LVL. To qualify for trademarking asan APA EWS Performance Rated LVL, theLVL products shall demonstrate confor-mance to the performance requirementsfor the rating system as well as the designproperties set forth in this standard.

2. Referenced Documents

2.1 ASTM Standards:D 9 Terminology Relating to Wood

D 143 Methods of Testing Small ClearSpecimens of Timber

D 198 Methods of Static Tests of Lumberin Structural Sizes

D 1761 Standard Test Methods forMechanical Fasteners in Wood

D 2915 Standard Practice for EvaluatingAllowable Properties for Grades ofStructural Lumber

D 2559 Specification for Adhesives forStructural Laminated Wood Productsfor Use Under Exterior (Wet-Use)Exposure Conditions

D 4761 Standard Test Methods forMechanical Properties of Lumber andWood-Base Structural Material

D 5055 Specification for Establishing andMonitoring Structural Capacities ofPrefabricated Wood I-Joists

D 5456 Specification for Evaluation ofStructural Composite LumberProducts

D 5764 Standard Test Methods forEvaluating Dowel-Bearing Strength ofWood and Wood-Based StructuralProducts

2.2 Other Standard:Voluntary Product Standard PS 1-95

Construction and Industrial Plywood

2.3 APA Publication:Quality Assurance Policy for APA EWS

Performance Rated Laminated VeneerLumber

3. Terminology

3.1 Definitions See the referenceddocuments for definitions of terms usedin this standard.

3.2 Description of Terms Specific to thisStandard:Characteristic value: A value determinedfrom test data for derivation of a designproperty. For the mechanical propertiesreferenced in this standard, the character-istic values represent the 5th percentileestimates with 75% confidence, exceptfor the modulus of elasticity (E) andcompression perpendicular to grain (Fc).The modulus of elasticity is based on themean value, while the compression per-pendicular to grain is based on the meanstress value at 0.04-in. deformation.

Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL): A struc-tural member manufactured using woodveneers, with the grain directions of allplies oriented parallel to the length of the member. Plies of wood are bondedtogether with exterior exposure adhesives.

Joist/Beam: Laminated veneer lumber isloaded in the edgewise direction, as usedin headers, joists, rafters, and beams. Theload is applied parallel to the L-X planeand the depth of the member is in theX-direction. Refer to Figure 1 for theorientations.

FIGURE 1

EDGEWISE LOADINGORIENTATION

X

Load Direction

Y

L

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4Stress class: Laminated veneer lumberproducts are graded according to theirdesignated design stresses. Stress classesindicate the allowable designated modu-lus of elasticity, E, and design bendingstress, Fb. A stress class consists of twoparts separated by a hyphen (-). Thepart left of the hyphen (-) represents thedesignated E value (in an order of 106)while the part right of it represents thedesign bending stress (Fb), both of whichare in the units of pounds per square inch(psi). For instance, a grade of 1.5E-2250Fsignifies LVL with an allowable E of 1.5 x106 psi and Fb of 2,250 psi.

Stud/Column: Laminated veneer lumber isloaded in lengthwise compression, asused in studs and columns.

4. Performance Criteria andRequirements

This section provides performance crite-ria and requirements for APA EWSPerformance Rated LVL. APA EWSPerformance Rated LVL shall be qualifiedin accordance with Section 5 by demon-strating conformance to the performancerequirements given in this section.

4.1 Sizes and Tolerances4.1.1 Material Veneer APA EWSPerformance Rated LVL is manufacturedfrom wood veneers with a nominal thickness not exceeding 0.25 in.

4.1.2 Sizes APA EWS PerformanceRated LVL is available in a nominal thick-ness ranging from 3/4 inch to 7 inches,and in a range of depths and lengths tomeet different end-use needs.

4.1.3 Tolerances The tolerances permit-ted at the time of manufacture prior tosecondary gluing, if applicable, shall beas follows:

Thickness: Plus or minus 1/32 inchmaximum for 1 inch thick or less

Plus or minus 1/16 inchmaximum for 1-1/2 inchesthick

Plus 0.08 inch or minus 0.10 inch maximum for 1-3/4 inches thick

Plus 0.10 inch or minus 0.15 inch maximum for 3-1/2 inches thick

Plus 0.15 inch or minus 0.20 inch maximum for 5-1/4 inches thick

Plus 0.15 inch or minus 0.25 inch maximum for 7 inches thick

Interpolation to nearest 1/32 inch forintermediate thicknesses shall be permitted.

Depth: Plus 0 inch or minus 1.0% forall depths

4.2 Stress Class Rating4.2.1 All APA EWS Performance RatedLVL shall be identified by a stress classrating. The stress class ratings are shownin the tables of this standard.

TABLE 1

DESIGN PROPERTIES FOR APA EWS PERFORMANCE RATED LVL(a)

APA EWS Fv(f) Fc(g)LVL Stress E(b) Fb(c) Ft(d) Fc//(e) Edgewise EdgewiseClasses 106 psi psi psi psi psi psi

1.5E-2250F 1.5 2,250 1,500 1,950 220 575

1.8E-2600F 1.8 2,600 1,700 2,400 285 700

1.9E-2600F 1.9 2,600 1,700 2,550 285 700

2.0E-2900F 2.0 2,900 1,900 2,750 285 750

2.1E-3100F 2.1 3,100 2,200 3,000 285 850

(a) The tabulated values are design values for normal duration of load. All values, except E and Fc,are permitted to be adjusted for other load durations as permitted by the code. The design stresses arelimited to conditions in which the maximum moisture content is less than 16 percent.

(b) Bending modulus of elasticity (E), which is applicable in either edgewise or flatwise applications,includes shear deflections. For calculating uniform load and center-point load deflections of the LVL ina simple-span application, use Eqs. 1 and 2.

Uniform Load: = 54

[1]_____384EI

Center-Point Load: = P3

[2]____48EI

Where: = calculated deflection (in.),P = concentrated load (lbf), = uniform load (lbf/in.), = design span (in.), andI = moment of inertia of the LVL (in.4)

(c) Allowable bending stress (Fb) is applicable in either edgewise or flatwise applications. For depths of3-1/2 inches or deeper when loaded edgewise, the tabulated Fb value shall be modified by (12/d)

1/8,where d is the actual depth in inches. For depths less than 3-1/2 inches when loaded edgewise, usethe adjusted Fb for 3-1/2 inches. No adjustment on Fb is required for flatwise applications.

(d) Axial tension (Ft) of the LVL is based on a gage length of 4 feet. For specimens longer than 4 feet,the tabulated Ft value shall be adjusted by (4/L)

1/8, where L is the actual length in feet.

(e) Compression parallel to grain (Fc//) of the LVL.

(f) Allowable shear stress (Fv) of the LVL when loaded edgewise.

(g) Allowable compressive stress perpendicular to grain (Fc) of the LVL when loaded edgewise.

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54.3 Design Properties4.3.1 APA EWS Performance Rated LVLshall be designed based on the tabulatedvalues provided in Tables 1 and 1a.

4.4 Characteristic Test Values4.4.1 APA EWS Performance Rated LVLshall have characteristic test values thatare equal to or greater than the valuesgiven in Table 2.

5. Qualification Requirements

5.1 General5.1.1 All APA EWS Performance Rated LVLshall be qualified based on the requirements

specified in this section. Qualification testsshall be conducted in accordance with theprinciples set forth in ASTM D 5456.

5.2 Materials5.2.1 Wood species used shall meet theperformance requirements given in thisstandard and the daily quality assurancetest requirements given in the QualityAssurance Policy for APA EWS PerformanceRated Laminated Veneer Lumber.

5.3 Adhesives5.3.1 Adhesives for bonding woodveneers to form LVL shall conform to the requirements of ASTM D 2559 forwet-use adhesives.

5.4 LVL Products5.4.1 Sampling procedures, number ofsamples, test methods, and data analysesfor the LVL qualification shall conform tothe principles set forth in ASTM D 5456and the Quality Assurance Policy forAPA EWS Performance Rated LaminatedVeneer Lumber.

5.4.2 Manufacturing parameters, such aswood species, veneer thicknesses andgrades, grading methods, veneer endjoint type, numbers of plies and layups,and adhesive shall be identified as part ofthe qualification procedures. Changes inthese parameters require an engineeringevaluation or re-qualification by APA.

6. Quality Assurance

6.1 Qualification Tests6.1.1 Required qualification tests shallform the basis for the control values to beused in the quality assurance testing. Therequired qualification tests and criteriaare detailed in Sections 4 and 5 of thisstandard. When required, retests shall beconducted using a new independentsample set.

6.1.2 Upon satisfactory completion ofthe requirements in Sections 4 and 5, allmanufacturing variables shall be docu-mented in the in-plant quality manual inaccordance with the Quality AssurancePolicy for APA EWS Performance RatedLaminated Veneer Lumber.

6.1.3 Periodic reevaluation of structuralcapacities shall be conducted in accor-dance with the requirements given inASTM D 5456 and the Quality AssurancePolicy for APA EWS Performance RatedLaminated Veneer Lumber. This reevaluationshall be performed at the end of the first 6 months for any new plant or any newproduction line and shall not be longerthan every 12 months for any existingplant or any existing production line.

TABLE 1a

FASTENER DESIGN PROPERTIES FOR APA EWS PERFORMANCE RATED LVL

Minimum Equivalent Specific Gravity for Fasteners(a)

APA EWSNails and Wood Screws Bolts and Lag Screws

LVL Stress WithdrawalLateral Lateral

Class Face(b) Edge(c) Face(b) Edge(c)

1.5E-2250F 0.42 0.42 0.39 0.42 NA

1.8E-2600F 0.50 0.50 0.46 0.50 NA

1.9E-2600F 0.50 0.50 0.46 0.50 NA

2.0E-2900F 0.50 0.50 0.46 0.50 NA

2.1E-3100F 0.50 0.50 0.46 0.50 NA

(a) Established by qualification tests in accordance with Annex A2 of ASTM D 5456.

(b) When the fastener is installed in the Y direction and loaded in either L or X direction (see Figure 1).

(c) When the fastener is installed in the X direction and loaded in either L or Y direction (see Figure 1).

TABLE 2

CHARACTERISTIC TEST VALUES FOR APA EWS PERFORMANCE RATED LVL(a)

APA EWS fv(f) fc(g)LVL Stress E(b) fb(c) ft(d) fc//(e) Edgewise EdgewiseClasses 106 psi psi psi psi psi psi

1.5E-2250F 1.5 4,725 3,150 3,705 695 960

1.8E-2600F 1.8 5,460 3,570 4,560 900 1,170

1.9E-2600F 1.9 5,460 3,570 4,845 900 1,170

2.0E-2900F 2.0 6,090 3,990 5,225 900 1,255

2.1E-3100F 2.1 6,510 4,620 5,700 900 1,420

(a) The tabulated values are test values. Use the values given in Table 1 for design.

(b) Bending strength (fb) is applicable in either edgewise or flatwise applications. For depths of3-1/2 inches or deeper when loaded edgewise, the tabulated fb value shall be modified by (12/d)

1/8,where d is the actual depth in inches. For depths less than 3-1/2 inches when loaded edgewise, usethe adjusted fb for 3-1/2 inches. No adjustment on fb is required for flatwise applications.

(c) Axial tensile strength (ft) of the LVL is based on a gage length of 4 feet. For specimens longer than4 feet, the tabulated ft value shall be adjusted by (4/L)

1/8, where L is the actual length in feet.

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66.2 Trademarking6.2.1 All APA EWS Performance RatedLVL shall be identified with an APA EWStrademark, as shown in Section 7, bearingthe LVL stress class and manufacturingplant number.

7. Typical Information Shown onTrademarks

7.1 APA EWS LVL 1.5E-2250F

1.5E-2250F LVLPLANT 0000

PRL-501

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APA RESEARCH AND TESTING

APA The Engineered Wood Associations 37,000-square-foot Research

Center in Tacoma, Washington is the most sophisticated facility for basic

panel research and testing in the world. The center is staffed with an

experienced corps of engineers, wood scientists, and wood product techni-

cians. Their research and development assignments directly or indirectly

benefit all specifiers and users of engineered wood products.

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ENGINEERED WOOD SYSTEMS

We have field representatives in most major U.S. cities and in Canada who can help answer questions involving APA and APA EWS trademarked products. For

additional assistance in specifying engineeredwood products or systems, contact us:

APA THE ENGINEEREDWOOD ASSOCIATION

HEADQUARTERS7011 So. 19th St. P.O. Box 11700Tacoma, Washington 98411-0700

(253) 565-6600 Fax: (253) 565-7265

(International Offices: Bournemouth,United Kingdom; Hamburg, Germany;

Mexico City, Mexico; Tokyo, Japan.)

PRODUCT SUPPORT HELP DESK(253) 620-7400

E-mail Address: help@apawood.org

The product use recommendations in thispublication are based on the continuing pro-grams of laboratory testing, productresearch, and comprehensive field experi-ence of Engineered Wood Systems. However,because EWS has no control over quality ofworkmanship or the conditions under whichengineered wood products are used, it can-not accept responsibility for product perfor-mance or designs as actually constructed.Because engineered wood product perfor-mance requirements vary geographically,consult your local architect, engineer ordesign professional to assure compliancewith code, construction, and performancerequirements.

Form No. EWS B310Issued May 2001/0200

www.apawood.org@Web Address:

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Copyright Text: 2001 Engineered Wood Systems