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Making Plywood Box Beams

| Posted in General Discussion on December 22, 1998 10:32am

*
‘>’ In FHB 114 on page 106 is an article on Making plywood box beams by Roger Fleck.
‘>’ I have found this an intriguing idea for a vacation cabin I would like to build in W.Va.
‘>’ I live in Baltimore and it seams I could build and prefab the components here and truck them to my property when ready.
‘>’ Does any one have any experience with this form of construction or does anyone know how to contact Mr. Fleck?

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  1. John_C. | Dec 18, 1998 10:45am | #1

    *
    I doubt the building inspector will approve your plans unless the beams were designed for the load they support by a licensed structural engineer.

    1. David_Rosendale | Dec 18, 1998 11:48am | #2

      *Thats why I would like to contact the author of the article. He mentioned a way of testing the beams and I would like to know more about his process of certification.

      1. David_Edrington | Dec 18, 1998 12:22pm | #3

        *Contact the American Plywood Association (APA) and ask for the booklet on Design and Fabrication of Glued Plywood-Lumber Beams, latest edition. It costs $1 and gives you the specs on design, engineering and construction. There is also a brochure on nailed panel and lumber beams for short spans and headers. APA can be reached at (206)565-6600

  2. Guest_ | Dec 18, 1998 05:09pm | #4

    *
    You can peruse some of that on the net - http://www.apawood.org - I think!

  3. David_Rosendale | Dec 22, 1998 11:57am | #5

    *
    Thanks for APA I was trying all kinds of strings ansd searches but couldnt find anything. I was always ending with .com

    1. Fred_Matthews | Dec 22, 1998 10:32pm | #6

      *David:I took issue with the article you cite in FHB 114 and my response was published in Letters, FHB 117. The method the article uses is definitely not sound IMHO. You apparently have been led in the right direction with the APA publications. APA specifications along with sound engineering will produce light and strong plywood structural elements.

  4. David_Rosendale | Dec 22, 1998 10:32pm | #7

    *
    '>' In FHB 114 on page 106 is an article on Making plywood box beams by Roger Fleck.
    '>' I have found this an intriguing idea for a vacation cabin I would like to build in W.Va.
    '>' I live in Baltimore and it seams I could build and prefab the components here and truck them to my property when ready.
    '>' Does any one have any experience with this form of construction or does anyone know how to contact Mr. Fleck?

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