Forest Service/USDA Wood Innovations Grants
Recipient Point of Contact: Karl R. Englund
Location: Pullman, Washington
Summary
The durability of wood has always limited mass adoption into many markets. With CLT, wood’s perceived ineffective performance when exposed to bio-deterioration and fire has many customers hesitant to commit to a mass timber structure. Our project will evaluate a commercial ready process to pretreat the lamstock of CLT panels with a variety of borate-based treatment options. By treating the lamstock prior to CLT fabrication, a more homogeneous treatment is realized, making a more durable panel that can be implemented in areas prone to high humidity and mitigate risks associated with durability. Our work will provide a commercial-ready solution that can be easily implemented in-line, lowering costs and not interrupting process flows or outputs.
Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is a building system based on the use of massive, multi-layered solid wood panels. Although CLT as a construction system has been successful in Europe, only a handful of CLT projects have been built in the U.S. This manuscript presents the results from qualitative research, carried out with the objective of assessing the market potential and barriers to the adoption of CLT in the U.S. Insights from national and international experts were collected using semi-structured interviews. Topics included perceived benefits and disadvantages of CLT as a construction system, major barriers to its adoption in the U.S., and level of awareness about CLT among the architecture community.
One of the most recent innovations in Engineered Wood Products is Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT). The system is based on the use of multi-layered panels made from solid wood boards glued together, with the grain direction of successive layers placed at 90° angles. The cross-laminated configuration improves rigidity, dimensional stability, and mechanical properties. Structurally, CLT offers performance comparable to concrete or steel, with panels suitable for use as walls, floors, roofs, and other applications. While CLT as a construction material has been successful in Europe for the past 20 years, and more recently has made inroads in the Australian and Canadian markets, it is not yet readily available in the United States.
To better understand the market potential for CLT in the U.S., this study aims to assess the level of awareness, perceptions and willingness to adopt the system by U.S. professionals. To achieve these objectives, (a) a series of 10 interviews were conducted to gather insights from national and international CLT experts; (b) a web-based survey to U.S. architecture firms was conducted to gather information about familiarity, perceptions, performance and likelihood to adopt the system in the near future; and (c) a multi-family residential building project was designed to explore the architectural possibilities of the material.This study identified that the use of wood, a natural and renewable material, was the main advantage of CLT. Another important benefit of CLT over traditional construction systems is the dramatically shorter on-site construction time needed. CLT is a prefabricated system, thus reducing labor requirements, on-site waste, and accidents, all of which translates into significant cost reductions. The most commonly cited disadvantages of CLT were its acoustic and vibration performance. From the study it was found that the level of awareness about CLT is low among U.S. architects. Building Code compatibility, availability in the domestic market and cost were mentioned as the main barriers to the implementation of the system in the U.S. Cross-Laminated Timber appears to be a cost-competitive alternative to concrete structures, especially for buildings over six stories high. Architects seem to be willing to adopt CLT for their near-future projects, especially for multi-family, commercial, and recreational buildings. Importantly, this willingness to adopt CLT was found to be positively correlated to the level of awareness with the system.
Results show that diffusion of knowledge about CLT and the role of early adopters will be essential for the successful introduction of this new building technology into the U.S. market. The preliminary design created as part of this study allowed demonstrating the structural capabilities of CLT, by maximizing the spans between structural elements achieving open and fluid living spaces. CLT also enabled the design of wide terraces and the inclusion of window openings on outside walls without compromising the structural integrity of the CLT elements.
Timber construction is considered a main strategy towards a more sustainable built environment. Industrialized manufacturing methods have advanced the realization of multi-storey timber buildings generating enthusiasm about their implementation in urban areas, and the expectation of their further completion. These are still pilot projects, so there is a lack of specific literature and guidelines, including common understanding, standard procedures and holistic considerations. This paper aims to assess the current situation of design and construction processes of timber buildings in Austria, highlighting barriers and opportunities and formulating recommendations for its further adoption. The methodology used is based on an extended literature review and a qualitative analysis from expert interviews. Different disciplines were involved to approach the topic holistically. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and inductive coded within several iterative rounds. Excerpts were organized into codes, sub-codes and categories to identify and classify themes and patterns and build the case. The findings are structured into the categories of Acquisition, Design and Production and Assembly, and further identified as Barriers and Opportunities. Upon the analysis of results, a selective range of recommendations are formulated and summarized in a catalogue, serving as a guide for further research and actions to widespread the adoption of timber.
Sustainable Northwest (SNW) and Hacienda Community Development Group (HCDC), both based in Oregon, have proposed a plan to demonstrate pathways for building affordable housing with regionally sourced mass timber. In response to the region’s housing shortage, the partners’ proposal demonstrates the use of mass timber products while supporting efforts to educate stakeholders on wood product companies and forest restoration. The project outlines a plan to explore financing options, build one or more prototypes, and perform a structural material life cycle analysis.
In order to expedite market acceptance and facilitate the commercial uptake of wood products and systems in Canada, it is necessary to showcase such applications through high-rise and non-residential building demonstration projects. This paper presents recent initiatives by the Government of Canada focused on increasing use of wood as a green building material in infrastructure projects by supporting such demonstration projects. The objective of Green Construction through Wood (GCWood) program (launched in 2017) is to support the design and construction of several high-rise and non-residential timber demonstration buildings and bridges in Canada through expression of interest (EOI) calls. The program is also supporting research and development activities to facilitate acceptance of provisions that would allow for the construction of tall wood buildings in Canadian building codes and advanced wood education at engineering and architectural colleges and universities to help develop the future design capacity in Canada.
The Maine Mass Timber Commercialization Center (MMTCC) was founded in 2017 in direct response to a 2017 Department of Commerce federal interagency Economic Development Assessment Team (EDAT) report on the Maine forest-based economy, specifically Priority “E” of the EDAT report stating: “Invest in the research, development and commercialization of emerging wood technologies”. In particular, the EDAT report singled out the unique opportunity that exists for development of Mass Timber (e.g. cross laminated timber) production in Maine:
“Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) research at the University of Maine is linked to several potential manufacturing facilities seeking east coast locations. Immediately form a collaboration of appropriate parties to promote the siting of a CLT facility in Maine and identify recommendations to incentivize wider use of CLT and possible demonstration projects.”
Through the recommendations of the EDAT, MMTCC was established through a grant with the U.S. Economic Development Administration. Based at the University of Maine, the MMTTC works in collaboration with industrial partners, trade organizations, construction firms, architects, and other stakeholders in the region to support the revitalization and diversification of Maine’s forest-based economy by means of encouraging innovative mass timber manufacturing in the State of Maine. Through science-based research and development at the University of Maine, the MMTCC is actively involved in exploring new applications and design practices for mass timber, with extensive regional outreach activities to increase awareness of mass timber technologies and practices throughout the Northeastern U.S. with architects, engineers, building contractors, investors, legislatures and fire/code officials to increase product demand and adoption.
Forest Service/USDA Wood Innovations Grants
Recipient Point of Contact: Sandra Lupien
Location: East Lansing, Michigan
Summary
Over the past decade, interest in and demand for mass timber have been increasing steadily across North America for the materials’ ability to support healthy forests and rural economies while creating beautiful, innovative structures that both benefit the people who live, work, and learn in them and improve the carbon footprints of our built environments. The MassTimber@MSU program – supported in large part by funding from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) – harnesses stakeholder engagement, outreach, communications, research, and education to advance mass timber construction and manufacture in Michigan and the surrounding region. Since the program’s launch two years ago, increased outreach leveraging new mass timber buildings in the region – the Michigan State University (MSU) STEM facility, the Intro project in Cleveland, and the Ascent Tower in Milwaukee – has intensified mass timber buzz in Michigan, where architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) firms are reporting a steady stream of inquiries from developers studying mass timber for their projects. With this increased interest in mass timber construction come both concerns that demand could soon outstrip supply and significant interest in a secure Michigan-based supply of mass timber.
Some Michigan forest products industry entities are investigating the potential of expanding to manufacture mass timber products like cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glue-laminated timber (glulam) but are hesitant to make the capital investment without formal evidence of regional demand for mass timber products generally as well as for such products made in Michigan from Michigan wood specifically. In addition, potential manufacturers need to better understand feedstock supply to determine the best location, scale, and mass timber product lines for Michigan mass timber. That means Michigan CLT and glulam won’t become a reality for at least 2-5 years. At the same time, State agencies are eager to quickly harness the forest health and economic development opportunities associated with using wood sourced from State, Federal, and private Michigan forestlands in Michigan-manufactured mass timber.
Nail-laminated timber, a more species-agnostic form of mass timber panels that can be manufactured using nail guns on a project site or in a warehouse nearby, presents a unique “first-generation” mass timber opportunity for Michigan – one that can begin this year – that can help pave the way for larger scale operations in years to come.
With this project we propose to demonstrate the use of Michigan-sourced-and-made NLT in two projects –Shophouse Park and the Great Lakes Boat Building School’s new building – in the Upper Peninsula. We will document the processes and outcomes of these projects and share theme – along with best practices – with key manufacturing, AEC industry, community development, and other stakeholders. We expect the project will increase market demand for mass timber, including Michigan-sourced-and-made mass timber, and catalyze Michigan-based manufacture of mass timber from wood sourced from Michigan and the surrounding Great Lakes. Surveying AEC and developer stakeholders at the start and end of the project will both inform our understanding of the project’s impact and provide evidence of demand to prospective manufacturers.
Forest Service/USDA Wood Innovations Grants
Recipient Point of Contact: Levente Dénes
Location: Morgantown, West Virginia
Summary
Converting the low-quality hardwood lumber products into value-added construction materials could contribute significantly to the economic prosperity of the central Appalachian regional communities. This project will capitalize on the R&D strengths of West Virginia University in collaboration with PFS TECO, WoodWorks, and Allegheny Wood Products to (1) investigate the compliance of HCLT panels to current national building codes and standards and to remove important barriers of HCLT commercialization, (2) develop new innovative solutions of HCLT manufacturing processes for mechanical, electrical and plumbing services accommodation to improve the convenience of using HCLT products, (3) evaluate the HCLT’s impacts on the eastern U.S. construction market with economic and environmental assessments, and (4) develop a regional outreach program to build a communication platform among construction and wood product industries, developers, researchers, and government agencies. Findings and programs developed in this project will further facilitate the adoption and expansion of HCLT into the eastern U.S. construction market, promote the development of regional wood product industries, enhance local job opportunities for a stronger circular bioeconomy and allow for sustainable utilization of forest resources.
Cross laminated timber (CLT) is a new engineered wood product that has experienced rapid growth and market acceptance for residential and non-residential construction in western and central Europe. Potential exists for rapid market adoption in North America if manufacturing capacities are developed. Dissemination of information on CLT North America markets, manufacturing capabilities, and product standards are the next key steps for facilitating investment in CLT manufacturing capacities in North America. This paper compares standards for CLT between Europe and North America.
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