LVL 2.0E (representative) - Design Values
LVL 2.0E (representative) is a engineered wood (lvl / psl / i-joist) grade with reference design values to Representative - see manufacturer ICC-ES / APA report. Its reference bending value Fb is 2,900 psi, compression parallel Fc is 2,900 psi, and modulus of elasticity E is 2,000,000 psi (NDS). In Eurocode 5 terms its characteristic bending strength fm,k is 48 N/mm², compression parallel fc,0,k is 38 N/mm², and mean modulus E0,mean is 13.8 kN/mm² (EN 338 / EN 14080). Values are shown before adjustment factors; apply the relevant NDS C-factors or EC5 k_mod and γ_M for your load case.
Representative values. Representative LVL 2.0E values. Use the supplier's ICC-ES/APA evaluation report for design.
| Fb | Bending | 2,900 psi |
| Ft | Tension parallel | 1,855 psi |
| Fv | Shear parallel | 285 psi |
| Fc⊥ | Compression perpendicular | 750 psi |
| Fc | Compression parallel | 2,900 psi |
| E | Modulus of elasticity | 2,000,000 psi |
| Emin | Modulus for stability | 1,020,000 psi |
| fm,k | Bending strength | 48 N/mm² |
| ft,0,k | Tension parallel | 33 N/mm² |
| fc,0,k | Compression parallel | 38 N/mm² |
| fc,90,k | Compression perpendicular | 6 N/mm² |
| fv,k | Shear strength | 4.5 N/mm² |
| E0,mean | Mean MOE parallel | 13.8 kN/mm² |
| ρk | Characteristic density | 510 kg/m³ |
Source: Representative - see manufacturer ICC-ES / APA report. Reference values are shown before adjustment factors (NDS C-factors / EC5 k_mod, γ_M) - apply these per your load case in design.
Understanding these values
For a beam in LVL 2.0E (representative), bending at Fb 2,900 psi normally sets the size, but the check that actually governs depends on the span. Short heavily loaded members are often limited by shear at Fv 285 psi, and bearing at a support is limited by compression perpendicular to grain at Fc perp 750 psi, which is the lowest of the strength values and the one most often overlooked. Used as a post or stud, the governing value is compression parallel at Fc 2,900 psi.
Stiffness for LVL 2.0E (representative) is E 2,000,000 psi, with the reduced modulus Emin 1,020,000 psi used for stability calculations such as the beam stability factor CL and the column stability factor CP. On typical floor spans, deflection rather than strength decides the section, so compare E before Fb when the member is a joist.
Under Eurocode 5 LVL 2.0E (representative) is described by characteristic values: bending fm,k 48 N/mm², shear fv,k 4.5 N/mm², compression parallel fc,0,k 38 N/mm² and perpendicular fc,90,k 6 N/mm². These are 5th-percentile figures, not allowable stresses - divide by the partial factor gamma_M (1.2 for LVL for engineered wood (lvl / psl / i-joist) under the recommended values) and multiply by k_mod for the service class and load duration, so the usable strength is materially lower than the number shown.
For LVL 2.0E (representative) the mean modulus E0,mean is 13.8 kN/mm². Characteristic density is rho,k 510 kg/m³, which is the value that drives fastener and connection capacity rather than any of the strength figures - two grades of similar bending strength can give quite different screw and dowel resistances if their densities differ.
Within the engineered wood (lvl / psl / i-joist) entries in this catalogue, LVL 2.0E (representative) is the strongest in bending at 2,900 psi, against 2,000 psi for Wood I-joist (representative) at the other end of the range.
The LVL 2.0E (representative) figures above are representative of engineered wood (LVL, PSL and I-joists) rather than of any one manufacturer's product. engineered wood (LVL, PSL and I-joists) is proprietary: published design values differ between suppliers, and for engineered products they depend on the grade stamp and the depth supplied. Use this page for scheme design and take the specific product's evaluation report for the final check.