I joist with reinforcing aluminum sheet

Abstract

Disclosed is an I joist including a first and a second flange interconnected by a webstock; the first flange has a first major surface upon which is formed a groove, so that the groove faces and receives the webstock; and a reinforcing aluminum sheet material disposed in the groove.

1 . An I joist comprising: 
 a first and a second flange interconnected by a webstock;    the first flange comprising a variable density wood composite has a first major surface upon which is formed a groove which extends into a lower density portion of the variable density wood composite, so that the groove faces and receives the webstock; and    a reinforcing aluminum sheet material covering at least a portion of the groove.    
   
   
       2 . The I joist according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second flange are composed of oriented strand board.  
   
   
       3 . The I joist according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second flange, and webstock are composed of oriented strand board.  
   
   
       4 . The I joist according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second flange are composed of strands having a length of between about 2 inches to about 6 inches.  
   
   
       5 . The I joist according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing aluminum sheet material has a thickness of about 12 gauge to about 38 gauge.  
   
   
       6 . The I joist according to  claim 1  further comprising an adhesive resin to secure the reinforcing aluminum sheet to at least the groove.  
   
   
       7 . The I joist according to  claim 6 , wherein the adhesive resin is selected from the group consisting of epoxies, phenolics, resorcinols, acrylics, urethanes, phenolic-resorcinol-formaldehyde resins, and methane diisocyanates.  
   
   
       8 . The I joist according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second flange are composed of oriented strand board, wherein strands in the oriented strand board have a length of between about 2 inches to about 6 inches.  
   
   
       9 . The I joist according to  claim 1 , wherein the aluminum sheet material fully covers the groove.  
   
   
       10 . The I joist according to  claim 1 , wherein the aluminum sheet material covers at least a portion of the first major surface.  
   
   
       11 . The I joist according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing aluminum sheet material has a thickness of about 26 gauge to about 34 gauge.  
   
   
       12 . The I joist according to  claim 2 , wherein the groove extends into a core portion of the oriented strand board.