40 wo o u u v s i c x n u i i u i x c wi x 1 v v : o I , - I

IDEAS&APPLICATIONS
Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) was ini-
tially developed in Europe as an alternative
to stone, masonry and concrete construc-
tion. These massive timber panels are made
from smaller dimensional lumber pieces
that are laid out on their wide faces in per-
pendicular layers that are glue-laminated
under pressure. North American CLT is
typically laid up as three-, ve-, seven- and
nine-layer panels of 2 x 6 lumber nger-
jointed lamstock.
An excellent resource for nding out
more about this new product is the CLT
Handbook, published for the U.S. in 2013
and Canada in 2012. FPInnovations in
collaboration with the American Wood
Council (AWC), the United States Forest
Products Laboratory, The Engineered
Wood Association (APA), and U.S. Wood-
Works published this comprehensive
guide to provide technical information for
building professionals, illustrating CLT
applications adapted to current codes and
standards.
Mass timber is good for the environ-
ment as a sustainable material
CLT is manufactured with 2 x 6 lumber
from second-growth trees that are sus-
tainably harvested, and, in some markets,
Mountain Pine Beetle kill trees. If the bee-
tle-killed trees are not used, they decay and
emit carbon back into the atmosphere.
Wood is also the only primary struc-
tural material that grows naturally and is
renewable. In fact, according to Sustain-
able Forestry in North America, during
the last 50 years less than two per cent of
the standing tree inventory in the U.S. was
harvested each year, while net tree growth
was three per cent.
CLT is in the Building Code
CLT panels have great potential for pro-
viding cost-effective building solutions for
residential, commercial and institutional
buildings, as well as large industrial facili-
ties in accordance with the International
Building Code. In 2015, CLT will be incor-
porated in the International Building Code
(IBC). The IBC recently adopted ANSI CLT
Standard PRG 320 into the 2015 IBC, (see
6 Truths About Cross
Laminated Timber
Mass timber product offers numerous benets
Kris Spickler
Ronald McDonald House, Vancouver
UBC Earth Sciences Building
41 wo o u u v s i c x n u i i u i x c wi x 1 v v : o I , - I
IDEAS&APPLICATIONS
U.S. CLT Handbook Chapter 1, p. 2) so you
can request a design review based on it
now and submit it as an alternate material,
design and methods (AMM).
CLT is a massive wood product and
therefore does not catch re easily
Do you use 12-inch diameter logs to start a
campre? Not likely. Mass timber does not
catch re easily. Mass timber is very hard
to light and once it is lit, it wants to put
itself out (see U.S. CLT Handbook Chapter
8, p. 2).
A research project recently completed
at FP Innovations showed that CLT panels
have the potential to provide excellent re
resistance, often comparable to typical
heavy construction assemblies of non-
combustible materials. CLT panels can
maintain signicant structural capacity for
an extended period of time when exposed
to re. Current testing shows the current
ame spread of 3 layer V2 grade CLT panels
meets a ame spread of 40.
You dont have to bring in a specialized
crew to install CLT
Keep in mind, CLT is essentially another
form of glue laminated timber (glulam).
It is still wood, so it builds on the earlier
technology. CLT panels, like other panels
(precast concrete or SIPs), provide easy
handling during construction and have a
high level of prefabrication enabling rapid
project completion. A conventional wood
installation crew with other panel expe-
rience can lift, set and screw down CLT
panels, and with a manufacturer-provided
installation plan, assembly goes even faster
(see U.S. CLT Handbook Chapter 12, p. 1).
CLT is cost-effective
When considering the total in-place value
of a CLT system, it is cost-competitive with
other panelized building materials and has
additional value-added benets:
More savings can be found in the reduced
installation cost; usually 50 per cent less
than installing other plate materials.
With an earlier project completion date,
you are open for business sometimes
months ahead of schedule.
The building structure will weigh less
than half the weight of other construction
types, so the foundation costs less money.
Job-site safety is dramatically increased.
Since CLT panels are prefabricated,
often the only power tools needed are
pneumatic drills. There is little to no
wood waste on-site.
CLT may be exposed
CLT can be used as an exposed structural
wood element or purely as a structural
component. Some manufacturers offer
both options depending on the end use
of the panel. This allows the architect to
choose a structural or appearance-grade
product, at a price point that reects the
application.
CLTs offer a versatile, low-carbon, and
cost-competitive wood solution that com-
plements existing light frame and heavy
timber options and expands the opportu-
nities for wood construction into
applications that currently use concrete,
masonry and steel. While it is a relatively
new building system in North American
construction, the benets of using this
innovative new product are numerous. For
more information on CLT, visit
www.masstimber.com and download the
CLT Handbook for free.
Kris Spickler is a Heavy Timber Specialist for
Structurlam Products Ltd. He can be reached
at kris@structurlam.com or (916) 797-5588.
PHOTO CREDITS: Structurlam Products LP
Promega Corp. Elkford Community Centre