FPInnovations conducted a research project to study the construction of mid-rise wood exit shafts in Ontario and Québec. The scope of the project included an investigation into the concerns that have been raised in regards to the use of wood exits in mid-rise buildings, an analysis of recent Canadian fire statistics...
FPInnovations initiated this project to demonstrate the ability of wood exit stairs in mid-rise buildings to perform adequately in a fire when NBCC requirements are followed, with the intent of changing perceptions of the fire safety of wood construction. The objective of this research is to investigate further the fire safety afforded by exit stair shafts of combustible construction, with the ultimate objective of better consistency between the provincial and national building codes with respect to fire requirements for exit stair shafts in mid-rise wood-frame construction.
A full-scale demonstration fire was conducted at National Research Council Canada (NRCC) to show that a 2-hr non-standard severe design fire in an apartment would have little or no effect on an adjacent elevator or stair shaft. The test was performed to support the approval of an alternative solution for a deemed-to-satisfy 2-hr...
As 6-storey wood-frame, massive-timber and hybrid wood buildings are increasingly accepted by more jurisdictions across Canada, there is a need to develop reliable elevator shaft designs that meet the minimum structural, fire, and sound requirements in building...
The fire resistance tests and the demonstration fire were performed to support the approval and construction of a tall wood building in Quebec City; the building is planned to be 13 storeys which includes a 12-storey wood structure above a 1-storey concrete podium.
New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering Conference
Research Status
Complete
Notes
April 26-28, 2013, Wellington, New Zealand
Summary
This paper describes options for seismic design of pre-fabricated timber core-wall systems, used as stairwells and lift shafts for lateral load resistance in multi-storey timber buildings. The use of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) panels for multi-storey timber buildings is gaining popularity throughout the world, especially for residential construction...
Project contact is Lina Zhou at the University of Victoria
Summary
The general objective of this research is to get a better understanding of the structural performance of hybrid building systems in which a light wood frame structure is structurally attached to a mass timber core with a ductile connection system.
Specific objectives of this research are:
1. To investigate the pinching effect on the seismic performance of timber structures.
2. To investigate the load distribution between the two sub-systems in a hybrid building, and how will it be affected by the characteristics of inter-connections.
3. To explore the relationship of ductility and energy dissipation capacity among joints, shear walls and the whole buildings.
