Tall Timber Buildings: Introduction

Timber has been a preferred construction material since the and code development activities, and present case studies.
dawn of civilization due to its natural abundance, high ratios
of stiffness and strength to weight, and the ease with which it
can be fashioned to shape. Over about the last decade gov-
ernmentally imposed prescriptive regulations that define how
buildings have to be designed and constructed have begun to
be replaced by performance based codes. New and evolv-
ing regulations directly address performance attributes of
alternative combinations of materials, construction methods
and building geometry. This proves especially liberating for
designs employing timber, because engineers are given the
freedom to apply and derive benefits from advanced de-
sign technologies and to use modern timber construction
products. In Britain, Italy and Switzerland, for example, six-
storey or taller timber buildings are now accepted. In North
America four-storeys is usual with occasionally five or six
storeys allowed by authorities with local jurisdiction. With the
correct choice of building methods 20 storey or taller timber
buildings are technically possible. Ten storey timber build-
ings becoming quite common is a practical near term goal.
Researchers at various institutions in Europe, North America
and Asia are performing large scale tests, and developing de-
sign concepts and methods necessary for that to become a
reality.
This issue of SEI is partially dedicated to “Tall Timber Build-
ings” and includes 14 articles that describe the technical issues,
establish the historical context, summarize recent research
The pervasive theme within these articles is the need to ap-
proach the design and construction of tall timber buildings
in an integrated manner that recognizes the need to employ
system level optimisation of the structural design. Important
structural engineering themes covered in this issue of SEI are
seismic design for strength and serviceability, wind design
with emphasis on serviceability, fire engineering and use of
innovative timber components. Case studies address regional
variations in construction practices with emphasis on Asia,
Europe, New Zealand and North America. Even in the few
months since the preparation of this issue of SEI began, there
have been major developments in the construction of tall tim-
ber buildings. For example, a modern seven-storey building
has been constructed in Berlin and a nine-storey building is
being constructed in London; and full-scale shake table tests
have been performed by Italians on a seven-storey timber
building using facilities in Japan. It is not fanciful to expect
that timber buildings with more than 10 storeys will be a
common part of future urban landscapes.
Prof. Ian Smith, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton,
Canada
Dr Andrea Frangi, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
Members of IABSE Working Commission 2: Steel, Timber
and Composite Structures

Urban Timber Houses in Vienna

Martin Teibinger, Dr, Eng., Holzforschung Austria, Wien, Austria

Introduction
Project “Mühlweg” of more than 250
flats in Vienna with four- and five-
storey timber houses is described in
this paper. In 2001, the building code
of Vienna1 was modified to make way
for the establishment of multi-storey
timber houses with up to five storeys,
provided that the supporting elements
for the ground floor are made of min-
eral materials. In regard to multi-storey
apartment building in Vienna these
building methods were innovative. The
city of Vienna has initiated a new focal
point in public housing by promoting
timber construction through advertis-
ing a competition amongst property
developers. These timber constructions
constitute something of an innovation
in the area of multi-storey housing
in Vienna. The advantages of timber
buildings clarify why timber construc-
tion will play a major role in the future:
High-grade prefabrication along with
shorter construction periods, minor
construction material moisture and
ecological aspects.
Because there are almost no expe-
riences available regarding timber
construction in urban areas, the city’s
municipality has assigned the Holz-
forschung Austria to support the three
winning teams from the planning to
the assembling periods.2,3 The objec-
tive was to become integrated in the
design process as soon as possible and
to provide the long-term experience
of a testing and inspection institute in
case of specific questions regarding the
field of timber construction. This sup-
port assures a high standard of quality
for these pilot projects. Apart from fire
protection, the weighted impact sound
pressure level of the partition ceilings
presents a challenge. The measurement
results and the construction methods
are pointed out in this paper.
Keywords: multi-storey timber hous-
ing; sound insulation; wooden facades.
General Construction Methods
The three projects are very differ-
ent in concept (Fig. 1). However, the
staircases and the escape routes of all
three projects are made of reinforced
concrete. The supporting elements
fulfill a fire resistance of 60 minutes,
except the elements of fire compart-
ments, which need a fire resistance of
90 minutes.1

114 Structures Worldwide Structural Engineering International 2/2008

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