PSL 2.0E (representative) - Design Values
PSL 2.0E (representative) is a engineered wood (lvl / psl / i-joist) grade with reference design values to Representative - see manufacturer ICC-ES 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). 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 Parallel Strand Lumber (PSL) 2.0E values. PSL is proprietary (e.g. Parallam) - use the supplier's ICC-ES evaluation report for design.
| Fb | Bending | 2,900 psi |
| Ft | Tension parallel | 2,025 psi |
| Fv | Shear parallel | 290 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 |
Source: Representative - see manufacturer ICC-ES 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 PSL 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 290 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 PSL 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.
Within the engineered wood (lvl / psl / i-joist) entries in this catalogue, PSL 2.0E (representative) ranks 2 of 4 on bending at 2,900 psi; the strongest listed is LVL 2.0E (representative) at 2,900 psi. Grade choice is usually a trade of cost against section depth, so it is worth checking whether a lower grade in a deeper section is cheaper than a higher grade at the depth you started with.
The PSL 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.