This technical note presents test results on the compressive strength
of two hardwood glue-laminated [glulam) materials. Test materials were
fabricated according to the criteria of the American Institute of Tim
ber Construction (AITC) 119-85 for a Combination A glulam timber. Allo
wable compression parallel-to-grain design values are presented for bo
th northern red oak and red maple glulam timbers constructed according
to AITC 119 specifications for visually sorted lumber qualities. The
compressive design strength for northern red oak was computed to equal
2,750 psi (19.0 MPa). A nearly identical compressive design limit val
ue of 2,700 psi (18.7 MPa) was obtained for red maple. The results ind
icate that high quality compression members are possible from either s
pecies.