Design Glulam Beams and Columns to AS 1720.1

This tool performs a comprehensive structural analysis of Glulam beams and columns under gravity and wind loads. It verifies:

• Bending Capacity (Md): Checks major and minor axis moment capacity, applying all relevant modification factors (k1, k4, k6, k9, k12).
• Shear Capacity (Vd): Verifies vertical shear strength.
• Bearing (Nd): Checks Compression Perpendicular to Grain (f’p) at supports—often the governing check for narrow, high-load beams.
• Beam Stability (k12): The critical « Slenderness » check in AS 1720.1. The tool calculates the Material Constant (ρb) and Slenderness Coefficient (S1) to prevent lateral buckling.
• Deflection (Δ): Calculates short-term and long-term creep deflection (j2) to ensure the beam doesn’t sag over time.

Supplier & Code Integration — the calculator supports multiple design codes including Eurocode 5 (EN 1995-1-1), AS 1720.1, and NZS AS 1720.

Analytical Methods for Glulam Behavior:

• Elastic Beam Theory: primary analytical approach, using classical Euler–Bernoulli beam theory, assuming linear elastic material behavior and plane sections remaining plane.
• Effective Section Properties: uses standardized section properties and grade-dependent stiffness values (e.g., GL grades or Australian supplier grades such as MASSLAM).
• Stability and Buckling Verification: checks for lateral-torsional stability and effective length factors, accounting for support conditions and restraint assumptions.

High-Performance Structural Design — evaluates bending resistance, shear resistance, lateral-torsional stability, and deflection behavior. Support Conditions (effective length factors and restraint assumptions); Design Parameters (service class, material grade, code-specific parameters).

Supports Eurocode 5 (EN 1995-1-1), AS 1720.1, and NZS AS 1720. Material grades (GL grades or supplier-specific products like MASSLAM) evaluated per selected code.

Analytical Model: Elastic Member Analysis (linear elastic members, axial compression, bending moments from eccentric loads); Section Properties (section modulus, moment of inertia, radius of gyration auto-calculated); Load Eccentricity Effects (eccentricities in both principal directions).

Structural Performance Checks: Bending Verification (major/minor axis), Compression Verification, Combined Actions Verification, Buckling Verification (effective length factors, slenderness ratios, reduction factors), Lateral Torsional Stability.

Supplier Integration & Material Data — grades such as GL24h, GL28h, and supplier-specific products evaluated per AS 1720.1.

Analytical Model: Design Action Effects (forces entered directly as design action effects rather than derived from loads/spans); Section Properties; Member Configuration (columns or diagonal braces, length, analysis location, loading duration).

Structural Performance Checks: Bending Verification (Mx, My), Combined Bending Check, Compression Verification, Combined Bending and Compression, Shear Verification (Fx, Fy), Combined Actions Check, Stability Verification.

Advanced Glulam Fire Engineering — implements timber fire design methodologies aligned with AS 1720.1 and international standards; calculates char depth development and reduced effective cross-section.

Precision Charring and Residual Section Analysis — users define basic charring rate (β₀) and notional charring rate (βₙ) with required fire resistance time; calculates char depth and effective residual section; accounts for different exposed faces and protection conditions.

Automated Fire Verification — evaluates Fire Bending Resistance, Fire Shear Resistance, Torsional Stability Under Fire Conditions.

Advancing Structural Connection Design — Advanced Yield Modeling (Johansen Yield Models for dowel-type fasteners); Manufacturer Data Integration (supplier-specific fastener/connector data).

Simplified Structural Joint Design — preconfigured connection types: Dowel and Bolt Connections, Beam-to-Column Connections, Beam-to-Beam Connections, Compression Perpendicular to Grain (GLT), Beam Notch Verification, Shear Reinforcement Design, CLT Floor-to-Beam Interfaces.

« Global-Local » Connection Library — Universal Fastener Selection: Würth, Eurotec, Klimas, Rothoblaas, Schmid Schrauben, Sihga, SPAX, Simpson Strong-Tie. Verified Compatibility with glulam from ASH, Hyne, NeXTimber, Binderholz.

Evaluated using AS 1720.1 together with NZ Wood Design Guide (Chapter 12.6); also supports prEN 1995:2023.

Penetration Geometry — circular or rectangular openings, opening size and spacing, position within cross-section, reinforced or unreinforced. Geometric limitations auto-verified per AS 1720.1/NZ WDG and prEN 1995:2023.

Reinforcement and Capacity Verification — self-tapping screws as reinforcement; supported fastener manufacturers: Würth, Rothoblaas, Eurotec, Klimas, Schmid, Sihga, SPAX, Simpson Strong-Tie. Glulam suppliers: ASH, Hyne, NeXTimber, Binderholz.

Automated Structural Checks: geometric limits for penetrations, tension resistance of unreinforced openings, flexural resistance of modified section, shear resistance near penetrations, reinforcement geometry requirements, reinforcement design capacity.