Question: Is there a technical reason that two 7" x 7-1/4" Versa-Lam® LVL beams can't be bolted together and receive roughly the same loads on their outsides? I don't see an option for multiple plies of this size.
Answer: Boise Cascade has a prescriptive limit in our software limiting multiple members to a total width of 7”. This limit is intended for our customers and other designers who are not engineers, in order to limit applications that may be controlled by torsion. If the member is loaded somewhat equally from both sides, we would not object to such an application if designed by a licensed engineer. Unfortunately though, BC Calc® software will not analyze such a member.