Pinball - you can now order gluelam beams with a built in camber. You specify the center static load and they build in and set the camber height during fabrication so when the load is applied the beam is flat as a laser beam.
In one case, I figured the static load wrong and had to "pull it down" with some weights to get it flat. Once in place and braced, it maybe arched back up 1/8 th inch with my extra load removed. But a 35 long beam!! Far cheaper than a steel "I" beam and easier to work with.
But HEAVY!
One of my silly workers once put one in upside down - so you need to put it is arch up! About 10% more than a standard gluelam beam.
Steve
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consulting on geothermal heating/cooling & rational energy use since 1990
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