I am considering building a few small Quonset-hut shaped greenhouses/hoophouses, and after some review believe common designs for them would be improved greatly by constructing and using laminated arched wooden beams at each end of the structure, and perhaps spaced along the structure, depending on its length. The beams will have cross sections on the order of 4"x4". The arches would be 16 ft in total length, the length of common steel cattle panels that will be used on most of the hoophouse surface. These will result in an arched structure about 6 ft tall, and 9 ft wide. I propose to construct a full sized jig and glue/clamp the beams.
I would appreciate any advice or comments on what materials to use for this. One could simply rip thin exterior plywood, marine plywood, or with some more work, resaw and plane hardwood or softwood lumber for this. If lumber is used, what type would you recommend? Can a fairly large radius bend like this be reasonably done with these materials? What adhesives would you recommend? I don't have immediate access to a planer, but if its use would result in a significantly better result, I could find one.
Thanks for any advice you have to offer.
Tom Birdwell