Project contact is Erol Karacabeyli at FPInnovations
Summary
To support NRCan's Tall Wood Building Demonstration Initiative, FPInnovations developed and published the 2014 Edition of Technical Guide for the Design and Construction of Tall Wood Buildings in Canada. More than 80 technical professionals comprised of design consultants and experts from FPInnovations, the National Research Council, the Canadian Wood Council and universities were involved in its development. The Guide has gained national and worldwide reputation as one of the most complete and credible documents helping to introduce to the design and construction community, and Authorities Having Jurisdiction the terms "Mass Timber Construction" and "Hybrid Tall Wood Buildings".
Since the publication of the First Edition, a number of tall wood buildings have been designed and constructed. Substantial regulatory changes are expected to happen based on the experience obtained from the demonstration initiative and the extensive research that has taken place domestically and internationally since the publication of the First Edition. These developments highlight a need for the Guide to be updated so that it aligns with efforts currently underway nationally and provincially and continues to lead in providing the design and construction community technical insight into new opportunities for building in wood.
The First Edition of the Guide helped to focus the efforts of the early adopters who participated in NRCan's Tall Wood Building Demonstration Initiative. Updating and aligning the Guide with the release of the new National Building Code of Canada and the Canadian wood design standard (CSA O86), and sharing the experiences gained from tall wood buildings built since the First Edition, will not only continue to expand the base of early adopters, but also help to move aspects of mass timber and hybrid wood buildings into the mainstream.
Project contact is Jianhui Zhou at the University of Northern British Columbia
Summary
Building acoustics has been identified as one of the key subjects for the success of mass timber in the multi-storey building markets. The project will investigate the acoustical performance of mass timber panels produced in British Columbia. The apparent sound transmission class (ASTC) and impact insulation class (AIIC) of bare mass timber elements as wall and/ or floor elements will be measured through a lab mock-up. It is expected that a database of the sound insulation performance of British Columbia mass timber products will be developed with guidance on optimal acoustical treatments to achieve different levels of performance.
Project contact is Étienne Marceau at Université Laval
Summary
The objective of this project is to identify the risk factors taken into account in the pricing of an insurance contract for a construction site. This project aims to synthesize the quantitative approaches used in practice and presented in academic research for the pricing of home insurance and commercial insurance. Then, we aim to identify the preventive measures that can be taken to reduce the impact of different perils in the insurance of a construction site in wood or other.
The objective of this research is to develop models for predicting lateral strength and stiffness of connections containing inclined self-tapping screws, by considering the contribution of the withdrawal and yield properties of the screws and embedment properties of the connecting members.
Assessing the Environmental Impacts of the Canadian Building Sector through Dynamic Life Cycle Analysis: Developing a Forward-looking Model for Greater Use of Wood Products
Project contact is Pierre Blanchet at Université Laval
Summary
Several studies indicate that using wood from sustainable forest management in building construction both maintains or increases carbon sinks in the forest, temporarily captures carbon in buildings, and substitute more emitting materials or fuels. This strategy is interesting, but it is difficult to implement from a political point of view because its real benefits are complex to evaluate. There are several methods for evaluating the GHG impacts of a product over its entire life cycle, but there is no consensus on the method to be used to assess the impacts of GHGs from biogenic carbon - the carbon contained in living or dead biomass, such as wood. Many commonly used methods rely on simplifying assumptions that do not accurately assess the benefits that could accrue from increased use of wood products under construction. This PhD project will improve a promising method to evaluate the GHG impacts of biogenic carbon. Particular attention will be paid to the uncertainties of the method so that it provides all the information necessary for informed decision-making. The expected results could confirm that greater use of wood products reduces the environmental impacts of buildings, and that current methodologies are too simplified to inform policy making.
Project contact is André Potvin at Université Laval
Summary
The biomimetic approach in architecture explores the genius of organic natural forms resulting from a long process of environmental adaptation. These forms often have a high compactness and an optimal material / volume ratio in line with the importance of reducing the material in the building to limit its environmental impact in terms of energy and resources. What are the natural forms and processes of growth of the form most appropriate to the physical properties of wood? What design process promotes the integration of a biomimetic approach from the earliest stages of design? Based on a review of the main achievements claiming this approach, this project will develop a taxonomy of the different biomimetic typologies and identify the most promising in the context of a wood realization. A digital manufacturing process will be developed to reflect the complexity of natural shapes and flows in an organic architecture that optimizes environmental performance and aesthetics.
CIRCERB (Chaire industrielle de recherche sur la construction écoresponsable en bois) has in the past mapped decision-making in public construction projects in Quebec. Using the same mapping approach, the project will highlight the steps in carrying out a timber construction project to identify hot spots where risk is important to the proponent, taking into account all stakeholders (material suppliers, general contractors, specialized contractors, etc.). In addition to presenting a broad picture of the wood construction, the project will identify the elements of the value creation chain on which optimization of business practices would be beneficial for wood construction.
Project contact is Pierre Blanchet at Université Laval
Summary
Construction standards are governed by several factors. The National Building Code dictates the minimum to meet occupant safety issues. Energy issues are imposed by the energy efficiency standards of the Novoclimat programs of Transition Energie Québec. However, some developer-builders go further and enforce voluntary environmental standards such as LEED Version 4 or the WELL standard on occupant welfare. Many of these efforts are invisible to the occupier or the buyer because they are hidden in the building assembly, envelope or structure. Over the entire life cycle of buildings, these construction details will be important to the building operator, but their initial costs will also have an impact on the choices made during construction or acquisition. The project proposes to determine the added value of these quality approaches for the consumer. The project will consider key wood building systems by comparing minimum requirements, best practices and consumer perception.
Classifications of volatile products that may pose health and comfort risks to occupants tend to be restricted by current regulations. It seems important to sample air from concrete, wood and steel buildings to measure the compounds present. Ideally, measurements at different time intervals could be considered to qualify and quantify contaminant dispersion dynamics over time. The project aims to identify a possible advantage of wood construction in the face of air quality, to identify the main contaminants (quantity and toxicity) and to propose sampling and measurement techniques adapted to the building environment.
Structural engineered woods require the use of previously evaluated structural adhesives in accordance with a variety of standard methods (ASTM D2559, ASTM D7247, CSA O112.9, CSA O112.10, CSA O177, etc.). The basic assumption is that a bonded engineered wood product will have a performance equivalent to, or better than, the non-bonded product it replaces, regardless of the conditions of use (dry, wet, fire, etc.). Nevertheless, the results of cross-laminated wood (CLT) fire tests have shown that the requirements currently imposed on adhesives do not allow to limit lamellae detachment when CLT is exposed to fire. Traditionally, this behavior is not observed for glulam. It is essential to review the classification and performance criteria imposed on adhesives by submitting them to the various tests currently standardized. The analysis of the results may also be used to develop a new test method for adhesives exposed to high temperatures, depending on the anticipated use of the engineered wood product.
To support the associated Sir Matthew Begbie Elementary School and Bayview Elementary School projects in pushing the boundaries forward for long-span floor and roof construction, this testing project aims to compare different connection approaches for composite connections between glulam and cross-laminated timber (CLT) – for vibration, stiffness, and strength. Working with the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), Fast + Epp aimed to complete a series of vibration and monotonic load tests on 30’ long full-scale double-T ribbed panels. The tests consisted of screws in withdrawal, screws in shear, and nominal screws clamping with glue. Both the strength and stiffness are of interest, including slip stiffness of each connection type. This physical testing was completed in January and February 2020, where the full composite strength of each system was reached. Initial data analysis has provided information for comparison with existing models for shear connection stiffness. Publications will follow in 2021.
Project contact is Ben Amor at Université de Sherbrooke
Summary
Although lifecycle analysis approaches provide a reliable reading of the importance of the embodied energy of buildings, the tool is inaccessible for evaluation in a normative framework. The purpose of the project is to establish prescriptive directives linking the role of Transition Énergie Québec (TEQ) with the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ), which must ensure the quality of the work and the building safety. Similar to Part 9 of the NBC, it would be desirable to establish prescriptive rules based on know-how allowing a reasonable consideration of gray energy issues. In order to converge towards this approach, a number of tools will be considered. The various life cycle analysis methods (attributive, consequential, dynamic) (Astudillo et al., 2017) will be used, as well as more simplified approaches such as streamlined LCA (Arena et al., 2013, BellonMaurel et al. al., 2015) or simplified calculators, such as the carbon calculator that is currently being developed by Cecobois. The project will consider building carbon neutral objectives.
Project contact is Eric Wood at Morrison Hershfield
Summary
The project develops building archetypes, cost data and energy modelling to allow users to cost out mass timber buildings from basic, code-compliant buildings to high-performing, energy-efficient, low-emitting buildings. It will help quantity surveyors, designers, and other decisionmakers undertake business-case development by clarifying cost variables associated with mass-timber construction.
Although engineered wood products such as glued laminated timber (glulam) and cross-laminated timber (CLT) have successfully eliminated the flaws inherently exist in conventional wood products, they are still not comparable with steel and concrete in terms of strength and stiffness. Among all different options for reinforcement, Carbon Fibre is relatively popular due to its high tensile strength, low weight, and easy installation. This study presents an analysis of flexural stiffness and stress distributions of CLT panels reinforced with carbon fibre mats, based on an analytical method and finite element method (FEM).
Project contact is Cristiano Loss at the University of British Columbia
Summary
This research aims at developing novel multi-material deconstructable hybrid connections for mass timber prefabricated buildings. Connections will be conceived in order to (i) meet multi-objective structural performance, (ii) favour modular construction, (iii) favour quick erection of buildings, (iv) quick disassemble and possible reuse of the timber members, and (v) provide seismic-resistant structural assemblies.
Project contact is Frank Lam at the University of British Columbia
Summary
The objective of this project is to develop a large span timber-based composite floor system for the construction of highrise office buildings. This prefabricated floor system could span over 10 m under regular office occupation load, and its use will expedite the construction significantly, converting to multi-million financial savings in a typical 40+ story project, besides the impact on reducing carbon footprint and enhancing living experience.
Project contact is Pierre Blanchet at Université Laval
Summary
The use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) models is not yet standardized. This situation limits the scope of the tool and this is particularly the case for systems not defined in the libraries of major BIM software. This results in a loss of productivity because each stakeholder will redefine materials and/or systems to a level of information corresponding to his own needs. This project aims, with the help of a research professional, to develop a BIM library that can contain the main information related to materials and systems to fully cover the needs of all users of the BIM model. This library will be made available to the public and will facilitate the use of wood systems by stakeholders.
Project contact is Rokib Hassan at the National Research Council of Canada
Summary
Phase two of a four-phased research project, with the overarching goal of developing transparent intumescent coating (TIC) for mass timber construction, which would be technology certified, IP protected and licensed out. The use of TIC would ensure that fire resistance rating requirements are met while reducing the need for encapsulation, resulting in increased overall aesthetics provided by timber. Phase two focuses on demonstrating a proof-of-concept on a small scale and optimizing the TIC formula and coating thickness based on the testing results. Small scale tests will be conducted to measure fire resistance, weatherability and fire toxicity.
Project contact is Pierre Blanchet at Université Laval
Summary
It is reasonable to believe that a second generation of structural products will appear, bringing new properties and promoting the use of biobased materials in the construction of tall buildings. Among the possible development options, Corruven's Vcore and H-core products could offer second-generation material developments. The proposed project will be a product design project. A specification will be established and it will identify possible properties in the CLT structural multilayer product. Prototypes will be produced and tested to characterize them. An environmental characterization under development of the products will also be realized by applying the streamlined LCA method as proposed by Heidari et al. (2017). The optimized product will be fully characterized according to the application potential in the building (mechanical, fire, acoustic).
Project contact is Jean Proulx at Université de Sherbrooke
Summary
The proposed project will include the development of an interface between structural calculation software by Finite Element Analysis (SAP2000, etc.) and BIM tools (e.g. Revit) to software allowing to perform a complete lifecycle analysis such as OpenLCA and Brightway2. This interface will add, among other things, missing information to 3D models (envelope, type of HVAC system, etc.) and allow designers to carry out a summary or detailed analysis of the environmental impacts of the different stages of the life cycle, ranging from construction, the operation and the eventual upgrading of the building. This interface will also make it possible to accelerate the process of analysis of preliminary solutions (example: structural system wood vs. steel or concrete). The research project will also include validation on different types of multi-storey structures (steel, concrete, wood).
){kind=link}
