Glulam beam distress

[FSS]

Does anyone have experience with glulam beams delaminating? I have a beam which has failed possibly due to the beam delaminating from moisture swelling. The beam is in an area where there has been moisture (poorly vented crawlspace). The glue lines have split open while the 2x wood laminations are intact.

 

[COEngineeer]

I would put straps to connect the split together and tell the homeowner to continue monitor the beam (see if the floor sags or wall cracks in the future). Then you probably need to fix the moisture problem. Is there enough space between the beam and the crawlspace? Does it meet the IBC?

Never, but never question engineer's judgement

 

[FSS]

This is beyond monitoring stage, as you can see daylight through many of the "splits" and the beam sagged a couple of inches. Beam has been temporarily shored along its entire length although the fix is not the issue here, but rather how common this kind of damage is.

 

[Ron]

FSS...usually related to moisture, but could be deficiency in the glue that was used or that too much pressure was applied at manufacturing that didn't allow adequate layer for bond. Would have to see the bond interface to know for sure. Any chance of significant wetting/drying?

Not sure of the era of construction, but some problems were noticed in the late 70's to mid-80's with glulam products. Ran into several down in Central Florida.

 

[dik]

Depending on the time period, some adhesives were sensitive to moisture and humidity and delamination has occurred. I did a report up about a year ago for a church where the glulam beams had delaminated due to an improved mechanical system and improved windows and doors. The problem was humidity.

It was recommended to replace beams. Because the splits were so fine, in most cases, it was not possible to inject epoxy into the splits with the problem being the existing glueline. The owner opted for providing intermediate supports to minimise the span.

Homes have changed and people are spending more time at home and, in general, generate more humidity. This coupled with an improvement in sealing and insulating homes has caused some new problems that didn't exist two decades ago.

Dik