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Hybrid CLT panels; for sustainable building solutions.

Poster · March 2014

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.2835.0487

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Vahid Mahdavifar
University of California, Berkeley
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 COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Civil & Construction Engineering

Hybrid CLT panels,

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CLT. Developing Wood to Hybrid CLT panels Graduate Student: Vahid Mahdavifar
Mid-Rise Buildings. Advisors: Andre R. Barbosa, Arijit Sinha, Opportunities for
for sustainable building solutions. Lech Muszyński , Rakesh Gupta
State-of-the-art.
Oregon.
• Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is a prefabricated What We Are Doing? From Manufacturing to Design and Modeling
solid engineered wood product made of at least
Our hypothesis is that cross-laminated timber (CLT) Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
three orthogonally bonded layers of solid-sawn Task description (lead PI)
panels with hybrid layups, where layers arranged Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
lumber or structural composite lumber (SCL) that
from high- and low-grade lamellas can meet the 1. Screening for bonding systems and
are laminated by gluing of longitudinal and parameters (LM)
current standard requirements for critical 2. CLT production (AS & LM)
transverse layers with structural adhesives to form
engineering parameters as specified in ANSI PRG 320 2a. Development clamping sys. (AS)
a solid rectangular-shaped, straight, and plane
2012 performance standard, and that adhesive 2b. Manufacturing test panels (LM)
timber intended for roof, floor, or wall 3. Testing for eng. properties (RG)
systems alternative to polyurethane PUR can be

Today
applications. 4. Connector performance (AS)
successfully utilized in hybrid CLT products. The 4a. Single connector (AS)
overarching goal of this project is to verify this 4b. Connector systems (AS)
4c. Full-scale tests (AS)
hypothesis. 5. Numerical modeling (AB)

• CLT is a potentially cost competitive solution that
complements the existing light frame and heavy
timber options, and is suitable for many
applications which currently use concrete,
masonry, and steel. This is not merely a new
engineered composite panel product but an
entirely a new building technology revolutionizing
the use of timber in construction in a way not
seen since introduction of plywood as a structural-
grade panel product. In late 2012, a 10-storey CLT
Forte Building in Melbourne, Australia became the
tallest residential timber building in the world.
In value added engineered products, CLT using these 5a. Model development (AB)
5b. Calibration & Validation (AB)
solutions is expected to reduce the pressure on the 6. Reporting (LM)
structural lumber supply and provide a substantial
outlet for lower-grade beetle-killed pine (BKP)
The factors that favor Oregon
timber. The Pacific Northwest, and in particular • Rich and diverse timber lands,
Oregon, is uniquely positioned to become the hub
for the domestic CLT industry and development of • Traditional profile of the state industry,
domestic building technologies based on the CLT • In-state community of progressive
panels. CLT manufacturing brings a potential to architects and engineers,
revive forest products oriented communities across
the region. Successful implementation of this • The proximity to large domestic market
research will result in hybrid CLT panels that will (populous and seismic California),
help in adoption of the product in mainstream TBD • Relatively easy link to huge markets
domestic construction marketplace. overseas (populous and seismic Pacific
Proposed 8’x 16’ press system (currently under design)
Rim nations).

• Several tests have been performed at Oregon
State University to verify underutilized and under-
valued wood species, such as hybrid poplar, can be
used for CLT panels.
What We Are Looking For?
Is it possible to use other, particularly
underutilized or under-valued domestic species
and low-grade timber harvested in the region in
CLT products without compromising critical
engineering parameters? Utilization of under-
valued timber in value-added engineered
products should reduce the pressure on the high
end of the structural lumber supply and provide
a substantial outlet for lower-grade BKP timber
harvested in the affected areas.
High grade species (H)
Low-grade species (L)
BKP (L)
stock
Stud
C-channels
Among these factors the seismic threat is of
(bottom) particular importance to the entire Pacific
Coast region. While California is known for
frequent earthquakes due to the shallow
crustal motions, Oregon and Washington,
Strong-floor are located in the Cascadia Subduction
Zone, which historically produced less
Phase 1 – Assemble adjustable reaction
system, which is tied to strong-floor
frequent but, according to the geological
and paleo-seismic evidence , much more
powerful, violent, extensive, and longer
C-channels CLT-layup
(bottom) Performance-based Design mega-thrust earthquakes due to the rapid
release of energy built up over long period
of time. Proven seismic performance of CLT
technology makes it an attractive
alternative for retrofits and new
Strong-floor
construction in a region seeking robust
remedies to the imminent threat of seismic
Phase 2 – Assemble CLT panel activity. On socio-economic level, CLT
Hollow-jack with Example of expected results manufacturing brings a potential to revive
rod tied to C-channels forest products oriented communities across
floor the Pacific Northwest region.
Fasteners to be tested
Strong-floor
BKP (H)(ref) DF (H)
X X

DF (L) X Phase 3 – Assemble pressing system and

press CLT panel
Hemlock (L) X X
BKP (H)(reference) X
Proposed layup sequence
for CLT manufacturing
References:
1. Pei, S., van de Lindt, J., and Popovski, M.(2013). ²Approximate R-Factor for Cross-Laminated Timber Walls in Multistory Buildings.² J. Archit. Eng., 19(4), 245255.
2. Kramer, A., Barbosa, A. R., and Sinha, A. (2013). ³Viability of Hybrid Poplar in ANSI Approved Cross-Laminated Timber Applications.² ASCE J. Mater. Civ. Eng., Ten parameter model
http://dx.doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)MT.1943-5533.0000936 (Sep. 6, 2013).
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