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Author Alternative to Curved Beams
Sean

2006-07-21, 5:25 pm

Hi All,

Does anyone know any alternatives to using a curved glue-lam beam? I
have to build a circular tower, and i need a solution for curved
headers over the doors.

Any ideas??

Thank you,

Sean

longshot

2006-07-21, 5:25 pm

rolled angle iron or c channel
"Sean" <SeanMOConnell@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1153510633.291601.35260@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> Hi All,
>
> Does anyone know any alternatives to using a curved glue-lam beam? I
> have to build a circular tower, and i need a solution for curved
> headers over the doors.
>
> Any ideas??
>
> Thank you,
>
> Sean
>



RicodJour

2006-07-21, 5:25 pm


Sean wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> Does anyone know any alternatives to using a curved glue-lam beam? I
> have to build a circular tower, and i need a solution for curved
> headers over the doors.
>
> Any ideas??


The headers don't necessarily have to be curved. A single layer of
glulam, of appropriate depth for the load, could run inside the
confines of the inner and outer wall surfaces. The rest is blocked out
to form the curves as required.

R

Bob Morrison

2006-07-21, 5:25 pm

In a previous post RicodJour wrote...
> Sean wrote:
>
> The headers don't necessarily have to be curved. A single layer of
> glulam, of appropriate depth for the load, could run inside the
> confines of the inner and outer wall surfaces. The rest is blocked out
> to form the curves as required.
>


Another idea is to build up a curved beam out of cabinet grade plywood, by
laminating layers together until you have the right thickness. The
thickness of the "lams" will depend on the radius required.

--
Bob Morrison, PE, SE
R L Morrison Engineering Co
Structural & Civil Engineering
Poulsbo WA
bob at rlmorrisonengr dot com
RicodJour

2006-07-21, 8:25 pm


Bob Morrison wrote:
> In a previous post RicodJour wrote...
>
> Another idea is to build up a curved beam out of cabinet grade plywood, by
> laminating layers together until you have the right thickness. The
> thickness of the "lams" will depend on the radius required.


I hesitated from mentioning that, Bob. The OP was a bit vague about
how big the headers are. The chord of a circle header that I mentioned
would keep all loads simple - direct bearing. If the OP is trying to
cut out a bigger section of the circle the loads at the header could
present problems - eccentric loads requiring cantilevering, etc.

R

djenkins6

2006-07-22, 9:25 am

How about having them fabricated in steel, something like a curved
I-beam. Have the fabricator put holes at appropriate points for lag
bolts / screws to attach to framing.

I found this
http://hollowaycompanyinc.com/struc...ing/aliinfo.php

David

AustinScoobee

2006-07-22, 9:25 am

Dont know with the details the OP mentioned, but some yaers back,I
worked with a guys who had a curved wall and the "architect" specified
forming and pouring a concrete header for the curve (with rebar etc) It
was about 4 ft of a radius. I wasnt confortable with it at the time
but we have been back over the years and asolutely no problems.. ( at
least 10 years old now)


djenkins6 wrote:
> How about having them fabricated in steel, something like a curved
> I-beam. Have the fabricator put holes at appropriate points for lag
> bolts / screws to attach to framing.
>
> I found this
> http://hollowaycompanyinc.com/struc...ing/aliinfo.php
>
> David


CWatters

2006-07-22, 5:25 pm


"Sean" <SeanMOConnell@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1153510633.291601.35260@b28g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
> Hi All,
>
> Does anyone know any alternatives to using a curved glue-lam beam? I
> have to build a circular tower, and i need a solution for curved
> headers over the doors.


I imagine curved headers is the easy part.... where will you get the curved
doors to match?


Bob Morrison

2006-07-25, 1:25 pm

In a previous post RicodJour wrote...
>
> I hesitated from mentioning that, Bob. The OP was a bit vague about
> how big the headers are. The chord of a circle header that I mentioned
> would keep all loads simple - direct bearing. If the OP is trying to
> cut out a bigger section of the circle the loads at the header could
> present problems - eccentric loads requiring cantilevering, etc.
>


Rico:

Right you are!

--
Bob Morrison, PE, SE
R L Morrison Engineering Co
Structural & Civil Engineering
Poulsbo WA
bob at rlmorrisonengr dot com
Sean

2006-07-28, 5:25 pm

Thanks for all the info!! I presented them many ideas, they actually
ended up going with a "6'' Flex-C-Header"

Found here:

http://www.flexc.com/2.html

Thanks again for all the help.

Sean

LinkBot





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