Ruamoko Solutions Engineers in Christchurch conceived of these beams as part of a 2-way concrete column and post tensioned timber beam configuration designed to resist any future earthquake event. Manufacture of these beams to meet the very high standards of bond and dimensional accuracy required was a most challenging assignment. The beams comprised 9 layers of LVL to be laminated with a hollow core and included ducts, deviator blocks and hardware, up to 44 different items in each beam, all to be assembled with adhesive and the required pressure applied within the open assembly time for the adhesive. The tolerance on beam length was to be within 1 mm, duct locations at the beams needed to accurately correspond with duct positions simultaneously being cast into the precast concrete columns in Christchurch and achieving bond quality to meet structural requirements was paramount. The challenge that Timberbuilt took on would use all of the experience of LVL fabrication that we have developed over more than 30 years.
Key to the ultimate success of manufacture were the following factors;
LocationChristchurch, New Zealand
Completed2013
BuilderC. Lund & Son Ltd
Structural designRuamoko Solutions