LVL Beam Two-Span per NDS 2024

Summary: Design a two-span LVL (laminated veneer lumber) beam with uniform and point loads per NDS 2024 for flexure and shear. Free wood beam design calculator…

Overview

Design a two-span LVL (laminated veneer lumber) beam with uniform and point loads per NDS 2024 for flexure and shear. Free wood beam design calculator NDS for LVL—higher design values than sawn lumber for same depth; common for long-span headers and girders.

Problem statement

A 1.75×11.25 in. LVL beam spans 14 ft + 14 ft (two spans, pinned interior support). Uniform dead 25 plf, live 100 plf. Plus point load 500 lb at 7 ft from left (concentrated load from column or beam). Check per NDS 2024. CD = 1.0 for D+L.

Workflow in StructSuite

StructSuite's free wood beam calculator NDS: open the Wood Beam module. Enter spans [14, 14], supports pinned-pinned-pinned. Add uniform load D 25 plf, L 100 plf. Add point load 500 lb at 7 ft. Select product LVL, species/grade. StructSuite runs beam analysis; two-span has negative moment at interior support. LVL from NDS Supplement or manufacturer ESR.

Design considerations (excerpt)

LVL has higher Fb than sawn—typically 2–3× for same depth. Used for headers 14–24 ft, girders. 1.75×11.25 common; deeper for longer spans. Manufacturer ESR required—Fb, Fv vary by product. No IBC span tables for LVL. 14+14 ft = 28 ft total; interior support gets large negative moment. Point load at 7 ft creates local moment peak. Deeper LVL (14 in., 16 in.) for 20+ ft. Manufacturer span tables available for quick check. NDS with product-specific values: two-span negative moment at interior often governs. Point load + uniform: check moment at point, at interior support, and midspan. LVL stiffness (E) higher—deflection less critical than sawn.

125 plf uniform + 500 lb point. Point at 7 ft…

Related terms

• StructSuite
• structural engineering
• design example
• wood beam
• NDS 2024
• nds lvl multi span

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