Design for Durability - Type of Member

The type of member selected for a particular application can be a deciding factor in the durability of structures. For example, glued laminated timber or sheet products exposed to the weather will shrink, swell and undergo checking along the glue lines unless adequately protected from the weather.

The consequences are that major moisture traps and lines of shear strength weakness can develop in poorly protected glued laminated timber. This is in contrast to solid timber, where seasoning checks tend to occur randomly.

Beams built-up by mechanical means (nail laminated and nailplated) require special consideration with regard to durability. Joins in these beams provide potential moisture traps when exposed to the weather.

In addition, nailplate joined beams may need special consideration for corrosive environments.

Reference: Timber Datafile P4 – Timber – Design for Durability of the NAFI Timber Manual.

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Timber Research Unit
Department of Architecture
University of Tasmania