The paper reports on the recent state of hardwood glulams technically approved in Europe and/or Germany for load bearing structures. Build-ups, mechanical properties, manufacturing specifics and issues related to strength equations including size effects are discussed. The high potential of this emerging structural timber product group is herein also revealed.
The driving forces for an increased attention in Europe towards glued laminated products made of hardwoods stems from several facts, the most important being: i) noticeable shortage and rapidly rising costs for softwoods, ii) high stocks of structurally so far not used hardwood resources in Central and Southern Europe and iii) a continuous shift in re-afforestation policies towards hardwoods due to better aptness of several broadleaf species versus soil and climate conditions.