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Engineered Structural Materials

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Safari Thatch and Bamboo

Wynand Odendaal
PO Box 91286
Austin, TX 78709
(512) 448-2000
(512) 448-2319 fax
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ENGINEERED STRUCTURAL MATERIALS CONTENTS:

CSI NUMBER
DEFINITION
CONSIDERATIONS
COMMERCIAL STATUS
IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES
GUIDELINES

RESOURCES

CSI NUMBER

DEFINITION:

Engineered structural products are recycled/reconstituted wood materials that employ laminated wood chips or strands and fingerjointing (the gluing of larger pieces together).

CONSIDERATIONS:

These materials fall into the general category of engineered wood. This means that the tolerances in stability, consistency, straightness, and strength are more precise than dimensional lumber, making the products easier to work with. In joist and rafter applications, the reconstituted products are particularly useful for long spans without bowing or lateral movement.

These materials drastically minimize the amount of waste created in processing the raw materials. Waste wood and entire trees, regardless of species, shape, and age, can be used in making these products.

Fingerjointed studs reduce waste in two ways. Short pieces that normally would be unusable are combined rather than disposed and the engineered quality of fingerjointed materials eliminate warping or cracking. The strength of the joints in good quality material is such that the solid wood portions will be more likely to break than the adhered fingerjoint.

Commercial
Status		 Implementation
Issues
technology suppliers cost financing public regulatory
Recycled/Reconstituted Wood

Legend
green Satisfactory
yellow Satisfactory in most conditions
red Satisfactory in Limited Conditions
black Unsatisfactory or Difficult

COMMERCIAL STATUS

TECHNOLOGY:

Well developed.

SUPPLIERS:

Dealers exist in Austin for I-beams and laminated materials and all local suppliers can order these materials. Fingerjointed structural material is not readily available locally.

COST:

Mostly equal to solid sawn wood. When labor savings and reduced job site waste are considered, the cost is highly competitive. Engineered wood products should be more stable in price than dimensional lumber.

IMPLEMENTATION ISSUES

FINANCING:

Available.

PUBLIC ACCEPTANCE:

Environmentally aware and/or quality conscious individuals may prefer these materials. Not objectionable to the general public, however.

REGULATORY:

None, when used to manufacturer's approved specifications.

GUIDELINES

  • 1.0 I-Beams

  • 2.0 Laminated Beams

    •

  • 3.0 Fingerjointed studs

    •

    RESOURCES

    PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE

    COMPONENTS / MATERIALS / SYSTEMS

    GENERAL ASSISTANCE

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    This document was adapted to HTML by Bill Christensen, sysop and environmental editor of Texas InfiNet, an online community for progressive information.

    Sustainable Building Sourcebook web version copyright Sustainable Sources 1994-1999.