The proposed paper presents two alternative strategies for using fast-growing, low-grade softwood for modern engineered wood products. A chemical based strategy is explored first with the testing of polymer-impregnated small clear wood samples. A second mechanical based strategy based on the tectonics of stress-laminated bridge decks is examined in further detail with 1:10 scaled structural models, followed later on by full-scale testing. The relative benefits and disadvantages of each strategy are compared to each other, and benchmarked against regular sawn timber and conventional engineered wood products like glulam and cross-laminated timber.
This project evaluates off-site solid timber production processes in the international solid timber industry. The Solid Timber Construction (STC) projects documented herein provide a test bed to evaluate project performance metrics attributed to off-site construction. This study also evaluates the contingent qualitative environmental, organizational and technological contextual factors related to STC. The study therefore:
Investigates and documents STC projects to identify successful performance metric parameters: economics, schedule, scope, quality, risk, and worker safety.
Compares this data to traditional site built construction to determine the estimated added value or negative impact of STC.
Identifies qualitative contextual parameters including environment, organization and technology for successfully developing STC methods;
Creates a model for data gathering for STC stakeholders to report their own performance parameters and thereby create a robust database of off-site projects in the future.
Synthesizes holistic best processes and practices guide for the industry looking to engage in STC work.
Joints and shear walls of buildings made from dowel-laminated timber were experimentally investigated and assessed. Based on cyclic tests on shear walls, a nonlinear dynamic building model was developed. The developed model served to evaluate the seismic behaviour of buildings made from dowel-laminated timber and to derive a preliminary behaviour factor q required for seismic design of this building typology.
The Cradle-to-Cradle Certification at Platinum level, awarded to products which perfectly embody the principles of Cradle-to-Cradle design, is perhaps one of the most esteemed standards of excellence in sustainability circles. Currently, there is no Platinum-level product which can deliver the classic postand-beam structural system. This literature review investigates the possibility of a timber beam product filling in that gap, and the potential design specifications necessary to do it. Findings suggest that the resin component of current glulam beams harm the Cradle-to-Cradle assessment rating, therefore posing a challenge to find eco-friendly alternative. Potential candidates such as lignin and casein resin are studied, along with the novel technology of welded dowel-laminated timber.
Dowel-laminated timber (DLT) elements consist of lamellae arranged side-by-side that are connected with beech dowels. Due to the glue-free DLT element layup, joints and shear walls potentially suffer from considerable reduction of stiffness and load carrying capacity as metal fasteners inserted perpendicular to the element plane may be placed in gaps between the single lamellae. Tests on typical joints showed that, depending on the fastener diameter, the remaining load carrying capacity of joints in DLT in comparison to joints in solid wood may be only 25%. Tests on DLT shear walls with different sheeting proved that the use of DLT structures as shear walls is only possible if at least one-sided sheeting is used. Cyclic tests on DLT shear walls demonstrated that the DLT construction typology has energy dissipation properties similar to traditional timber frame construction. Analogously, preliminary behaviour factors for DLT buildings evaluated with numerical models were also similar to those for timber frame buildings.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is the most forested country in the Balkan area, and Sweden and Slovenia are two of the most densely forested countries in the European Union. Living habits differ considerably between these three countries, but the use of wood is very similar. This book grew out of the collaboration of three wood scientists with totally different backgrounds who met and discussed their common interest – wood. Based on the different experiences in each country, the idea was to try to find ways to increase the common knowledge base for the use of wood, achieving excellence in timber design research and education; the architect with a deep knowledge of culture based needs, the engineer with experience and knowledge of technological needs, and the practitioner who always has to find the final solution.
Mass timber is a family of Solid Laminate Timber Systems (SLTS) formed from smaller sections of timber connected by glue, mechanical fixings, moisture movement or a combination of methods. These products, which include Structural Composite Lumber, GluLam, Cross Lam, Nail Lam and Dowel Lam (or Brettstapel), have over the past two decades seen an extraordinary upsurge in use internationally. This global phenomenon has been driven by a greater emphasis on the sustainable use of renewable resources and by significant technological developments in the manufacture of SLTS. This research paper considers the merits of each of these products, their manufacturing processes and the corresponding quality assurance requirements necessary for successful project delivery. The paper describes the advantages and barriers to the use of the mass timber and provides an overview of the various aspects to be considered during design for offsite and modular construction. The work presented also provides case studies of how these products have been researched and utilised into live projects in the UK utilising local resource resulting in the formation of new supply chain arrangements. The work further explains the advantages of the respective systems for the given application including information on species selection, connection systems employed and the necessary onsite and offsite management approaches deployed.
This chapter provides information related to commonly used wood construction methods (i.e., light-frame, post-and-beam, and mass timber) and mass timber products. It briefly discusses the manufacturing of four major lumber-based mass timber products (i.e., glue-laminated timber, nail-laminated timber, dowel-laminated timber, and cross-laminated timber), and their available dimensions and typical applications. The discussion also addresses primary lumber products, such as dimension lumber, machine stress-rated lumber, and finger-joined lumber, which are the building blocks from which mass timber products are manufactured. Advantages of using wood in construction are illustrated by examples largely from North American practices. The life cycle assessment concept is also introduced.
The 2nd Mass Timber Research Needs Assessment was held on November 13–14, 2018, at the USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory (FPL). The workshop was co-sponsored by FPL, WoodWorks, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities. The purpose of the workshop was to gather a diverse group of people with expertise in mass timber, in particular cross-laminated timber, to discuss and prioritize research needed to move the mass timber industry forward in North America. The workshop was attended by more than 100 design professionals, researchers, manufacturers, industry leaders, and government employees. The meeting resulted in a list of 117 research needs. Following the meeting, the list of research needs was prioritized through an online survey. This report presents the prioritized research needs of the mass timber industry in North America. Also included in the appendixes are the formal minutes of the workshop, a list of participants, and the original scribe notes.
