This report deals with the fire resistance of cross-laminated timber (CLT). Themain purpose is to verify a new model on CLT and its ability to sustain itsbearing capacity when exposed to fire. To establish this, a series of bendingtestshas been conducted in combination with fire exposure of the CLT. Twodifferent series, with different dimensions, of beams were tested (series 1 andseries 2). Four basic set-ups: CLT in tension or compression, either equippedwith fire protective covering or not. Results from the tests has been gatheredand evaluated to verify the theoretical model of the fire resistance. Evaluationwas made through analysis of the residual cross-sections of the beamsregarding charring depth and rate and moment of inertia (I).Results of the tests verify to a large extent the Design model. Externalproblems and variations in the beams themselves caused some deviations.Analysis confirmed the CLT as being more similar to other laminated productssuch as Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) then homogenous solid beams. BothCLT and LVL experience delamination when exposed to fire resulting in anincreased charring rate. The difference in rate when using Gypsum plaster as aprotective barrier against the fire exposure is also equal to LVL.The results of the report will be used in the new version of the EuropeanStandard, Euro Code 5 and in the third edition of Fire Safe Timber Buildings.Charring rates proved to be less than expected but the CLTs ability to withstandfire while keeping its bearing capacity

I Sverige fanns, mellan 1874 och 1994, ett förbud mot att bygga bostadshus med fler än två våningar i trästomme. Under denna tid försvann större delen av hantverks- och ingenjörskunnandet och man fick därför börja från början då förbudet hävdes. Byggandet gick till en början trögt, men tog fart i och med regeringens nationella träbyggnadsstrategi och utvecklandet av byggande med massivträ i början av 2000-talet. Limnologen i Växjö är ett bra exempel på hur långt fram Sverige ligger i utvecklingen, men det pekar också på områden inom tekniken som behöver förbättras. Den här uppsatsen behandlar översiktligt hur trähusbyggandet har sett ut i Sverige och beskriver sedan Limnologen med fokus på entreprenadform, stabilisering, brandskydd och akustik. Vidare beskrivs hur massivträtekniken har utvecklats och hur byggsystemet för massivträ har tagits fram. / Between 1874 and 1994, Swedish legislation limited the use of timber in load- bearing structures of residential buildings. The use of timber was prohibited in buildings of more than two storeys. During this period, much of the knowledge of the craftsmen and engineers was lost. Therefore, when legislation changed, there was a large need for regaining old and developing new knowledge in the field of timber construction and timber engineering. The number of multi- storey projects was not very large during the first years. Partly due to that the Swedish government developed a national strategy for the increased use of wood in construction in the beginning of the 21st century, progress was made in developing new techniques and the number of projects increased. The project Limnologen in Växjö is a good example of the current status of Swedish timber engineering, but also points to the fields where there is still some work to be done. This essay reports briefly on the building of wooden houses in Sweden in general, and describes the project Limnologen in particular. Issues like type of contract, stabilization, fire protection and solutions to prevent sound from transmitting are dealt with. Also a description of the development of cross- laminated timber (CLT) and how concepts based on CLT have been developed is given.

Trä är och har sedan länge varit en av Sveriges mest exporterade råvaror. Branschen sysselsätter idag omkring 100 000 människor i landet. I samband med de senaste årens miljödiskussioner bör husens uppbyggnad diskuteras. Syftet med detta examensarbete är att främja husbyggnation i massivträ som de senaste åren fått mer publicitet inte bara på den svenska marknaden men också i centraleuropeiska länder. Frågorna i detta arbete handlar om att identifiera de vanligast förekommande ytterväggskonstruktionerna och jämföra deras materialkostnader samt kostnader för arbete vid montering. För att ha kunnat göra en rättvis jämförelse har BBR’s energikrav varit den gemensamma nämnaren för ytterväggskonstruktionerna. Frågorna har besvarats genom intervjuer med tillverkare av prefabricerade massivträväggar, träregelväggar och betongväggar varpå energiberäkningar utförts i samband med framtagning av olika väggkonstruktioner för att få fram tre lika energieffektiva väggar. Dessa väggar har sedan kostnadsjämförts. Resultatet visar att den vanligast förekommande massivträväggen består av tre till fem lager korslimmade bräder som tillsammans bildar en KL-skiva. På dessa kan isolering och fasad appliceras och på så sätt få en vägg jämförbar med en träregelvägg eller betongvägg. Det visade sig efter gjorda undersökningar att massivträväggen är marginellt dyrare än träregelväggen men väsentligt mycket billigare än betongväggen. / Wood is and has long been one of Sweden’s most exported commodities. The industry currently employs about 100 000 people in the country. In conjunction with the recent environment discussions the construction of houses should also be discussed. The purpose of this study is to promote housing construction in solid wood, which in recent years has received more publicity not only in the Swedish market but also in central European countries. The questions in this project is about identifying the most common exterior wall constructions and compare their costs for materials and labor costs during assembly. To have a fair comparison, the BBR's energy requirements have been the common denominator of the exterior wall constructions. The questions have been answered through interviews with manufacturers of prefabricated solid wooden walls, wooden stud walls and concrete walls after which energy calculations conducted in connection with the development of various wall constructions to produce three equal energy-efficient walls. These walls have then been compared by their costs. The results show that the most common wall of solid wood consists of three to five layers of cross-laminated planks that make up a CLT-board. On these insulation and façade are applied and thus obtain a wall which is similar to the wooden stud wall or concrete wall. It was found after the investigations were made that the wall of solid wood is marginally more expensive than the wooden stud wall but significantly cheaper than the concrete wall.

Wood is a highly versatile renewable material (with carbon sequestering properties), that is light in weight, has good strength properties in both tension and compression while providing good rigidity and toughness, and good insulating properties (relative to typical structural materials). Engineered wood products combine the benefits of wood with engineering knowledge to create optimized structural elements. Cross-laminated timber (CLT), as one such engineered wood product, is an emerging engineering material which provides great opportunities for the building industry. While building with wood has many benefits, there are also some concerns, particularly decay. Should wood be exposed to elevated amounts of moisture, rots and moulds may damage the product or even risk the health of the occupants. As CLT panels are a relatively new engineered wood product, the moisture characteristics have yet to be properly assessed. Consequently, the amount of decay risk for CLT in building applications is unknown, and recommended protective actions during design construction and operation have yet to be determined. The goal of this research was to determine the moisture durability of CLT panels in wall assemblies and address concerns related to built-in construction moisture. The approach used to address the problem was to first determine select moisture properties of CLT panels through experimental approaches, and then use the results to calibrate a hygrothermal model to quantify the risks of wall assemblies. The wall assemblies were simulated in six different cities across Canada, representing a range of climates: Vancouver, B.C., Edmonton, A.B., Winnipeg, M.B., Ottawa, O.N., Québec City, Q.C., and St. John, New-Brunswick. The risks associated with moisture exposure during construction are also considered in the simulations. The experimental phase of the research was limited to moisture uptake tests. These tests were utilized to determine the liquid water absorption coefficient for four different types of full scale panels (2’x2’) and 12 clear wood samples. The panels were either made of 5-ply of Western-SPF, Eastern-SPF, Hemlock-Fir, or 3-ply of a generic softwood provided by a European CLT manufacturer; the clear samples were all cut from the same nominal 2x6 SPF-grade lumber. The panels were installed in a drying rack and gravimetrically tracked to assess the drying rates of the panels. Finite resources precluded more thorough material testing, but a parametric study was conducted to determine the relative impact of the missing material data on the final simulation results. In the hygrothermal simulations, four main wall assembly types were considered- those with either exterior or interior insulation, and those using either vapour permeable or impermeable air-water barriers. Various types of insulation and vapour control were also modelled. The simulations were run for a variety of interior relative humidities. The metric for comparison between the simulations was the water content of a 4mm thin layer on the extreme lamina of a CLT panel system. The results of the simulation suggest that vapour impermeable membranes, when install on dry CLT panels (less than 14% M.C.) do not pose moisture risks in any of the climates considered. However, when high levels of construction moisture is considered, only vapour permeable membranes controlled moisture risks by allowing the CLT panel to dry both to the interior and to the exterior.

The compressive strength perpendicular to grain of cross laminated timber (CLT) was studied experimentally. The problem was also theoretically analyzed and a finite element model was created and solved using a commercial finite element software package. The experiments were carried out with three layer CLT specimens of dimensions 200x200x120 mm and 300x300x120 mm. In some of the experiments a contact free deformation measurement system was used to analyze the strain field during loading. Different ways to apply the load were used: over the whole surface of the specimens and by a 50 mm wide steel bar. The position of the steel bar in relation to the specimen edge and its orientation relative the surface grain direction was varied. It was found that the compression strength of the cross laminated timber depended on the way in which the load was applied. The compression strength perpendicular to grain was found vary from 2.9 N/mm2 for specimens loaded by a line load at the edge of the specimen and parallel to the surface grain direction to 5.8 N/mm2 for specimens loaded by a line load at the specimen centre and perpendicular to the surface fiber direction. / Tryckhållfastheten vinkelrät fiberriktningen i korslimmade massivträskivor (CLT) bestämdes experimentellt. Även teoretiska studier genomfördes med hjälp av ett kommersiellt finita elementprogram. Provningarna genomfördes på treskiktsskivor med måtten 200x200x120 mm samt 300x300x120 mm. I vissa av försöken användes dessutom ett mätsystem för beröringsfri deformationsmätning för att bestämma töjningsfälten. Olika sätt att belasta provbitarna undersöktes: genom att belasta hela provytan eller genom att belasta provet med en 50 mm bred stålstav. Stålstavens läge i förhållande till provbitens kant och dess orientering i förhållande till ytskiktets fiberriktning varierades. De experimentella resultaten visade att hållfastheten beror på hur provbitarna belastas. Tryckhållfastheten varierade mellan 2.9 N/mm2 för fallet med en linjelast vid provbitens kant och orienterad parallellt med ytskiktets fiberriktning och 5.8 N/mm2 för fallet med en linjelast mitt på provbiten och orienterad vinkelrät mot ytskiktets fiberriktning.

<p>This report deals with the fire resistance of cross-laminated timber (CLT). Themain purpose is to verify a new model on CLT and its ability to sustain itsbearing capacity when exposed to fire. To establish this, a series of bendingtestshas been conducted in combination with fire exposure of the CLT. Twodifferent series, with different dimensions, of beams were tested (series 1 andseries 2). Four basic set-ups: CLT in tension or compression, either equippedwith fire protective covering or not. Results from the tests has been gatheredand evaluated to verify the theoretical model of the fire resistance. Evaluationwas made through analysis of the residual cross-sections of the beamsregarding charring depth and rate and moment of inertia (I).Results of the tests verify to a large extent the Design model. Externalproblems and variations in the beams themselves caused some deviations.Analysis confirmed the CLT as being more similar to other laminated productssuch as Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) then homogenous solid beams. BothCLT and LVL experience delamination when exposed to fire resulting in anincreased charring rate. The difference in rate when using Gypsum plaster as aprotective barrier against the fire exposure is also equal to LVL.The results of the report will be used in the new version of the EuropeanStandard, Euro Code 5 and in the third edition of Fire Safe Timber Buildings.Charring rates proved to be less than expected but the CLTs ability to withstandfire while keeping its bearing capacity</p>

<p>I Sverige fanns, mellan 1874 och 1994, ett förbud mot att bygga bostadshus med fler än två våningar i trästomme. Under denna tid försvann större delen av hantverks- och ingenjörskunnandet och man fick därför börja från början då förbudet hävdes. Byggandet gick till en början trögt, men tog fart i och med regeringens nationella träbyggnadsstrategi och utvecklandet av byggande med massivträ i början av 2000-talet. Limnologen i Växjö är ett bra exempel på hur långt fram Sverige ligger i utvecklingen, men det pekar också på områden inom tekniken som behöver förbättras.</p><p>Den här uppsatsen behandlar översiktligt hur trähusbyggandet har sett ut i Sverige och beskriver sedan Limnologen med fokus på entreprenadform, stabilisering, brandskydd och akustik. Vidare beskrivs hur massivträtekniken har utvecklats och hur byggsystemet för massivträ har tagits fram.</p> / <p>Between 1874 and 1994, Swedish legislation limited the use of timber in load- bearing structures of residential buildings. The use of timber was prohibited in buildings of more than two storeys. During this period, much of the knowledge of the craftsmen and engineers was lost. Therefore, when legislation changed, there was a large need for regaining old and developing new knowledge in the field of timber construction and timber engineering. The number of multi- storey projects was not very large during the first years. Partly due to that the Swedish government developed a national strategy for the increased use of wood in construction in the beginning of the</p><p>21st century, progress was made in developing new techniques and the number of projects increased. The project Limnologen in Växjö is a good example of the current status of Swedish timber engineering, but also points to the fields where there is still some work to be done.</p><p>This essay reports briefly on the building of wooden houses in Sweden in general, and describes the project Limnologen in particular. Issues like type of contract, stabilization, fire protection and solutions to prevent sound from transmitting are dealt with. Also a description of the development of cross- laminated timber (CLT) and how concepts based on CLT have been developed is given.</p>

<p> </p><p>The compressive strength perpendicular to grain of cross laminated timber (CLT) was studied experimentally. The problem was also theoretically analyzed and a finite element model was created and solved using a commercial finite element software package. The experiments were carried out with three layer CLT specimens of dimensions 200x200x120 mm and 300x300x120 mm. In some of the experiments a contact free deformation measurement system was used to analyze the strain field during loading. Different ways to apply the load were used: over the whole surface of the specimens and by a 50 mm wide steel bar. The position of the steel bar in relation to the specimen edge and its orientation relative the surface grain direction was varied. It was found that the compression strength of the cross laminated timber depended on the way in which the load was applied. The compression strength perpendicular to grain was found vary from 2.9 N/mm² for specimens loaded by a line load at the edge of the specimen and parallel to the surface grain direction to 5.8 N/mm² for specimens loaded by a line load at the specimen centre and perpendicular to the surface fiber direction.</p><p><strong> </strong></p> / <p> </p><p>Tryckhållfastheten vinkelrät fiberriktningen i korslimmade massivträskivor (CLT) bestämdes experimentellt. Även teoretiska studier genomfördes med hjälp av ett kommersiellt finita elementprogram. Provningarna genomfördes på treskiktsskivor med måtten 200x200x120 mm samt 300x300x120 mm. I vissa av försöken användes dessutom ett mätsystem för beröringsfri deformationsmätning för att bestämma töjningsfälten. Olika sätt att belasta provbitarna undersöktes: genom att belasta hela provytan eller genom att belasta provet med en 50 mm bred stålstav. Stålstavens läge i förhållande till provbitens kant och dess orientering i förhållande till ytskiktets fiberriktning varierades. De experimentella resultaten visade att hållfastheten beror på hur provbitarna belastas. Tryckhållfastheten varierade mellan 2.9 N/mm² för fallet med en linjelast vid provbitens kant och orienterad parallellt med ytskiktets fiberriktning och 5.8 N/mm² för fallet med en linjelast mitt på provbiten och orienterad vinkelrät mot ytskiktets fiberriktning.</p><p><strong> </strong></p>

This thesis focuses on analyzing Cross Laminated Timber manufacture and use for the purpose of suggesting ways to enrich involved technology through the further application of digital fabrication techniques. Framed within the context of making and craft, product and processes are explored to search for opportunities where reevaluating current production methods may arise. It is also in this context that concepts of embodied/ embedded information and emergence are employed to suggest ideas for rethinking CLT, its fabrication and use. Based on research findings, new CLT panel types are prototyped and their required fabrication approaches proposed. The results are applied to a building design for a site in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Wood is a highly versatile renewable material (with carbon sequestering properties), that is light in weight, has good strength properties in both tension and compression while providing good rigidity and toughness, and good insulating properties (relative to typical structural materials). Engineered wood products combine the benefits of wood with engineering knowledge to create optimized structural elements. Cross-laminated timber (CLT), as one such engineered wood product, is an emerging engineering material which provides great opportunities for the building industry. While building with wood has many benefits, there are also some concerns, particularly decay. Should wood be exposed to elevated amounts of moisture, rots and moulds may damage the product or even risk the health of the occupants. As CLT panels are a relatively new engineered wood product, the moisture characteristics have yet to be properly assessed. Consequently, the amount of decay risk for CLT in building applications is unknown, and recommended protective actions during design construction and operation have yet to be determined. The goal of this research was to determine the moisture durability of CLT panels in wall assemblies and address concerns related to built-in construction moisture. The approach used to address the problem was to first determine select moisture properties of CLT panels through experimental approaches, and then use the results to calibrate a hygrothermal model to quantify the risks of wall assemblies. The wall assemblies were simulated in six different cities across Canada, representing a range of climates: Vancouver, B.C., Edmonton, A.B., Winnipeg, M.B., Ottawa, O.N., Québec City, Q.C., and St. John, New-Brunswick. The risks associated with moisture exposure during construction are also considered in the simulations. The experimental phase of the research was limited to moisture uptake tests. These tests were utilized to determine the liquid water absorption coefficient for four different types of full scale panels (2’x2’) and 12 clear wood samples. The panels were either made of 5-ply of Western-SPF, Eastern-SPF, Hemlock-Fir, or 3-ply of a generic softwood provided by a European CLT manufacturer; the clear samples were all cut from the same nominal 2x6 SPF-grade lumber. The panels were installed in a drying rack and gravimetrically tracked to assess the drying rates of the panels. Finite resources precluded more thorough material testing, but a parametric study was conducted to determine the relative impact of the missing material data on the final simulation results. In the hygrothermal simulations, four main wall assembly types were considered- those with either exterior or interior insulation, and those using either vapour permeable or impermeable air-water barriers. Various types of insulation and vapour control were also modelled. The simulations were run for a variety of interior relative humidities. The metric for comparison between the simulations was the water content of a 4mm thin layer on the extreme lamina of a CLT panel system. The results of the simulation suggest that vapour impermeable membranes, when install on dry CLT panels (less than 14% M.C.) do not pose moisture risks in any of the climates considered. However, when high levels of construction moisture is considered, only vapour permeable membranes controlled moisture risks by allowing the CLT panel to dry both to the interior and to the exterior.