GLUE LAMINATED TIMBER FOR STEEL

Press, Volume C, Issue 29503, 3 May 1961, Page 9

GLUE LAMINATED TIMBER FOR STEEL

(Glue laminated timber construction, known as "glulam.” could boost the New Zealand economy by substantially reducing the present need fo import large quantities of structural steel, and. thus help the balance of payments position by curtailing the recurrent outflow at fund* in payment for steel, said the director of the New Zealand TOber Development Associate (Mr A. F. Andrews) at a n»|Wting of the association. the Govemmeai to consult the fine engineering aaE architectural brains within the Public Service, it cdtiM well be convinced of tha urgent need to form a swMißlist commission to eXSiaine the established glulam industries of Europe, Britiiin, the United States and Canada, and then to recommend to the' Government crash programme technical aid and advice for the New Zealand industry, with the assurance of Government ccntreets. The industry, with this initial assistance and assurance of orders, would play its P art - Andrews.

Glulam potentialities were recognised by Ministry of Works and Department of Education architects and engineers during the 1957-58 economic recession. Considerable numbers of glue laminated portal frames and beams had been used in school construction. with excellent had sometimes been high, but this w« because the glulam industry was struggling to establish itself and fighting for recognition by the constructional professions, and for orders. Under these conditions modern equipment was at a minimum level and the smallness of orders pushed up job costs. Architects’ and engineers' clients should accept professional advice that glulam structural members were, weight for weight, at least as strong as steel, and had a higher fire rating. Timber engineering—glue and nail lamination, and connectored assemblies —could offer inestimable benefits to New Zealand, where wood was the natural and main building material. If an export credit bank were established, as suggested by others, engineered timber might have a big future among our Pacific and Asian neighbours. New Zealand must speedily find new markets and new exports. Time was short and bold, imaginative thinking was needed.