Glulam Building: Start to Finish – Part Three C

Welcome to our “Glulam Building: Start to Finish” series. Our goal is to provide an overview – from idea to completion – of a glulam building, from the perspective of a glulam manufacturer and designer.


Part 3C: Connection Modeling

Stair tower connection model for Full Moon Resort, Big Indian, NY

Once the basic 3D Glulam Model is complete, modeling moves on to the connections. At all connections to be shop fabricated as part of the glulam structure (and some connections to be field fabricated), all fabricated steel parts and holes for hardware are added to the model. Typically, the hardware itself (bolts and screws) are not added to the model, except where access needs to be confirmed.

Connection model showing countersinks for bolts

Detailing for connections also includes modeling of a glulam for bolt countersinks, daps, routs, slots… any fabrication needed to fit glulam in and around steel and hardware. 

Modifications to overall glulam geometry and sizes, while rare, occasionally do occur while modeling connections. This is most frequent at complex joints, where hardware spacing and quantity might demand larger members (although this is typically determined during Confirmation of Design), or where member end grain becomes visible at a joint (which is typically avoided for aesthetic reasons).


Once all of the connections have been modeled we have a very realistic 3D model of the complete glulam structure. It is time to move on to the shop drawing detailing. 

3D model of Full Moon Resort, Big Indian, NY