The allowable stress in shear is derived from shear tests of small cle
ar shear blocks, but the shear strength of shear blocks is much greate
r than the shear strength of larger beams. In this study, glued-lamina
ted beams were tested to determine shear strength. These specimens wer
e tested in the five-point bending test configuration. Shear blocks we
re cut from the beam after failure and tested for shear strength. From
these tests, a relationship between shear strength and beam size was
developed that uses American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
shear block strength as a basis. The recommended relationship is based
on test results for a number of sizes of Douglas-fir and southern pin
e unchecked glued-laminated beams. This recommendation also includes t
he stress concentration factor to account for the effects of the re-en
trant corner in the ASTM shear block specimen.