Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is an emerging sustainable engineered material with unique properties that in many ways make it superior to conventional construction material. CLT was invented in the 1990s and the volume produced have increased worldwide since then. It can be used in the load bearing structure for walls and floor slabs in the different typologies, e.g. residential and office buildings.The hygroscopic nature of wood allows it to exchange moisture with the surrounding environment. This may lead to an alteration of properties of wood-based materials such as CLT and can be accompanied by deformations and stresses. These effects influence the CLT’s structural stability, durability and safety.This study focuses on the consequences of moisture content variations in CLT structures, including mechanical properties like modulus of elasticity and bending stiffness (EI). Temperature and relative humidity were measured over three years in three positions along the thickness direction of a slab element on the first floor of House Charlie, a four-storey timber office building located in Växjö, Sweden.The investigation was carried out by mathematical modelling applying MATLAB® software aiming to find the moisture content as a function of time and thickness from the real-world data of House Charlie. The focus was on determining changes in modulus of elasticity and bending stiffness in response to moisture variation. The results showed that the moisture content within a slab of the building varied periodically following the seasonal variation throughout the years. The moisture content at the bottom of the slab was significantly lower compared to two other positions. According to the linear regression analysis, a linear relationship between the moisture content (MC) and positions across the CLT slab at each time step was defined. High R2 values, above 0.9, show the goodness of the fitted model. Applying the MC as a function of time and thickness into an available relationship of modulus of elasticity (E) could predict stiffness versus varied MC in the next step. The modulus of elasticity decreased with an increase in the moisture content over the studied period with a higher variation range at the bottom of the slab. In the final step, bending stiffness was assessed as a function of the changed moisture content. Bending stiffness increased periodically over time, attributed to overall more dry-out of the slab with time.The reported results of the present study give new insight into the behaviour of CLT structure over longer time periods. The recurring pattern in alterations stems from the reliance of bending stiffness on the modulus of elasticity function, which is in turn influenced by the linear relationship with moisture content exhibiting cyclic characteristics. The minimum and maximum values for EI were 3.5×1012 Nmm2 and 3.71×1012 Nmm2, respectively, a variation of approximately ±2.5% around the average. As the time steps increased, the bending stiffness also increased, given the progressive growth of the modulus of elasticity over time.

The Vertically Oriented Interlocking Timber (VOIT) panel is a new solid wood panel similar to Interlocking Cross Laminated Timber (ICLT) and the more commonly known Cross Laminated Timber (CLT). Like ICLT, VOIT panels use timber connections instead of the adhesives or metal fasteners common to CLT. The difference of VOIT is the orientation of the layers. Where CLT and ICLT panels alternate the orientation of each layer, VOIT panels orient all the layers in the same direction. The vertically oriented layers are then attached to one another by smaller horizontal dovetail members.Two types of VOIT panels were provided to be tested for in-plane lateral loading. Type I had three rows of horizontal dovetail members connecting the layers and Type II had four rows of dovetail members as well as two diagonal members to provide stiffness. Two panels of each type were provided, measuring 8 ft. wide, 8 ft. tall, and 13.75 in. thick. Each panel was disassembled after monotonic lateral in-plane loading to determine possible failure modes. Testing results suggest the VOIT panels to be comparable in shear strength to other wood shear walls, including light frame, CLT, and ICLT walls. A two-part analytical model was created to determine the deflection of the wall when loaded as well as the shear strength of the wall. The model predicted deflection and wall strength reasonably well. Due to the small sample size, additional testing is necessary to confirm the results of the Type I and Type II VOIT panels. Additional testing with more variations of the panel and member geometries is also needed to validate the scope of the model.

Det byggs i trä i Sverige som aldrig förr. Det blir alltmer populärt för varje år som går att ersätta prefabricerade element i betong samt pelare och balkar i stål med element med motsvarande funktion i antingen korslimmat trä eller limträ. Under tidsperioden 2010 till och med 2019 har andelen nyproducerade lägenheter i flerbostadshus, som byggts i trä, ökat med 122 %. Det kommer delvis som en följd att det först 1994 blev tillåtet att bygga flervåningshus i trä när funktionskrav infördes. Vid byggande i trä finns det olika sorters trämaterial att välja mellan, tre av dem är konstruktionsvirke, limträ och korslimmat trä. Konstruktionsvirke är ursågade delar av trädstammar och limträ samt korslimmat trä är sammansatta trämaterial av konstruktionsvirke i form av lameller och lim. Skillnaden mellan limträ och korslimmat trä är att lamellerna, lagren, är lagda i samma riktning i limträ och som namnet antyder, korsvis i korslimmat trä. Limträ har formen av pelare och balkar medan korslimmat trä bildar massiva skivelement. Eftersom trä är ett organiskt material kommer det vid hög temperatur att antända och förbrännas. Syftet med uppsatsen är att undersöka huruvida brandförloppet skiljer sig mellan konstruktionsvirke, limträ och korslimmat trä samt ta reda på om limmet påverkar brandförloppet eller inte i fallen med limträ och korslimmat trä. Uppsatsen är av det kvalitativa slaget, och analyserar därmed redan framtagen information snarare än tillföra egen. Informationen hämtas från intervjuer med personer med för uppsatsen relevanta kompetenser och från litteraturstudier. Eftersom alla tre i uppsatsen analyserade material består av eller är konstruktionsvirke kommer brandförloppen i stora drag vara jämförbara. Lamelleringseffekten i limträ och korslimmat trä kommer göra brandförloppen i de materialen mer gynnsamma. Den stora skillnaden i brandförlopp kommer bero på huruvida det ingående limmet i limträ och korslimmat trä delaminerar vid upphettning. Det finns flera olika sorters lim tillåtna för ändamålet, där vissa sorter delaminerar och andra inte. Uppsatsens slutsats är att materialen som tidigare nämnts i stort genomgår samma brandförlopp och att valet av lim kommer ha påverkan på brandförloppet då eventuell delaminering är ogynnsamt för konstruktionen. / In Sweden, building with wood have never been so popular as now and to exchange prefabricated elements in concrete and pillars and beams in steel with corresponding elements in either cross-laminated timber and or glued-laminated timber becomes increasingly more popular on a yearly basis. During the timeframe from 2010 through 2019 the share of newly produced flats in multi-storey buildings have risen with 122 %. In part, it can be explained by the introduction of function-based design in Sweden 1994, before that, wooden multi-storey buildings were not allowed. When building with wood, there are several wooden materials to choose from, three of which are dimensional lumber, glued-laminated timber, and cross-laminated timber. Dimensional lumber is sawed parts of logs and glued-laminated timber and cross-laminated timber are engineered wood composed by dimensional lumber in form of laminating stock and adhesives. The difference between glued-laminated timber and cross-laminated timber are that the laminating stock, the layers, are oriented the same way in glued-laminating lumber and as the name suggests, crossed, perpendicular to each other in cross-laminated timber. Glued-laminated timber is used as pillars and beams while cross-laminated timber is used as massive wooden panels. Since wood is an organic material, it will ignite and combust at high temperatures. The purpose of the thesis is to examinate whether the fire course differs in dimensional lumber, glued-laminated timber, and cross-laminated timber. The thesis is qualitative, and therefore analyses already researched information rather than providing new. The information is provided by interviews with people with relevant functions according to the thesis and from literary studies. As all three materials analysed in the thesis are composed of or are dimensional lumber the fire course will broadly be comparable, however, the in glued-laminated timber and cross-laminated timber inherent laminating effect will make these materials fire course more advantageous. The main divergence in fire course will depend on whether the in glued-laminated timber and cross-laminated timber inherent adhesive will delaminate when heated or not. There are several different types of adhesives allowed for the purpose where some types will delaminate and other will not when heated. The conclusion of the thesis is that the earlier mentioned materials broadly experience the same fire course, and that the choice of adhesive will have effect on the fire course due to eventual delamination being disadvantageous for the construction. / <p>Betyg 2021-06-04</p>

The subject of this thesis was a structural design of a timber structure of a mountain hotel in Králíky. The object was a three storey building in a shape of letter U. The project was made in two different variations. The first one consisted of timber frame system with walls securing spacial stability. Computational model was created as a spacial bar 3D model in SCIA Engineer 19.1. The internal forces were calculated using the linear static analysis. The loadbearing structure was designed according to ultimate and serviceability limit states in SCIA Engineer 19.1. The thesis includes joints and anchorage design according to valid standards. Glue laminated timber was chosen as a material for the loadbearing structure while solid timber was chosen for wall structures. The second variation was made out of cross laminated panels. Wall panels were calculated by hand calculation whereas floor and roof panels were calculated using Agrop Nova Element software. Spatial model was made in SCIA Engineer 19.1 software to design joints and for global deformation check as well. The thesis includes engineering report, structural design report as well as drawings.

Interest in the use of mass timber in building and construction is growing worldwide, this is due to the structural integrity and reduced environmental footprint of timber-based structures. Concerns associated with the biological and environmental degradation of mass timber necessitate the development of adequate protection strategies to ensure the durability of these products. Preservative treatment is a proven technique that increases the durability and performance of wood in-service and can also be applied to large-sized timber panels such as cross-laminated timber (CLT). Therefore, this study focused on investigating the feasibility of treating prefabricated 3- and 5-layer CLT panels with Copper-azole type C (CA-C) and micronized copper azole (MCA) preservatives. Further, we studied the effects of panel layup and thickness on the preservative impregnation in CLT. Based on the experimental results, we found adequate preservative penetration and retention in the treated 3- and 5-layer CLT panels, particularly in CA-C treated panels. Also, the lengthwise layup shows better treatment results in both CA-C and MCA-treated panels. In addition to the preservative-treatment of CLT panels, this dissertation covers the development of lignin-reinforced polyurethane adhesive (PUR) for bonding glue-laminated timber (Glulam). Herein, the glulam were fabricated and bonded using lignin-reinforced PUR at different wt% (1, 2, and 3) and tested for shear strength, wood failure and delamination. The lignin-treated PUR samples showed improved adhesion properties via high shear strength and reduced delamination compared to the control specimens. Thus, the lignin-reinforced PUR adhesive shows great potential as a bio-based and environment-friendly wood adhesive for producing glulam used in structural applications.

I denna studie studerades det hur ett 14 våningar högt bostadshus med en kärna av korslaminerat trä (KL-trä) och färdiga lägenhetsmoduler med regelstomme kan byggas på ett industrialiserat och enkelt sätt. Våningsantalet och produktionstypen fastslogs tidigt, i samråd med RISE, för att effektivt kunna granska ett sannolikt sätt att bygga hus i en nära framtid. Dynamiska modalanalyser utfördes för byggnadens olika modeller i FEM-programmet Robot Structural Analysis (kommer fortsättningsvis även beskrivas som Robot) för att ta fram egenfrekvenser. Sedan följdes en beräkningsgång från Eurokod och EKS för att ta fram den toppacceleration som vind orsakar på byggnadens högsta plan. Detta värde jämfördes sedan med det rekommenderade komfortkravet från ISO 10137. Byggnaden som studerades är ett punkthus med en central kärna och 14 moduler, av storlek 4 x 8 meter, per våning. Dessa placeras runt den 8 x 8 meter stora kärnan, vilket gav ett totalt fotavtryck på 24 x 24 meter. Över 20 olika datormodeller studerades där bland annat variationer av placering och mängd av KL-trä i fasad, placering och andel betong i huset och påverkan från gipsskivor i inner- och ytterväggar. Även infästning mellan moduler tillhör några av de ändringar som studerades. Resultatet visar att det är möjligt att bygga den modell som benämns 1400KL i vindlastzon 24 och terrängtyp tre, förutsatt att den mekaniska dämpningen är satt till 2 procent.  Det framgår även att modulernas egna lägenhetsavskiljande väggar har signifikant betydelse för stommens totala stabilitet och att en ökning av styvheten i dessa är ett effektivt sätt att förbättra de dynamiska egenskaperna. Betydelsen av mycket massa högt upp i byggnaden är också tydlig utifrån detta arbete. Det framkommer även att stabila betongvåningar nederst i stommen bidrar mycket till att förhindra att översta våningen i huset rör sig obehagligt mycket vid stor vindbelastning på byggnaden. Detta är en beprövad teknik i basen av flertalet hus som byggs idag. Rotation har visat sig vilja förekomma i de tidigare modeller som använts i denna rapport. Detta är något som måste testas specifikt för alla varianter av basmodellen då rotation är ofördelaktigt ur dynamisk aspekt, då det saknas beräkningssätt för dynamiskrotation i teorin från Eurokod. Generellt kan tillägas att ett 14 våningar högt trähus i vindlastzon 26 och terrängtyp 0 har väldigt svårt att klara av de dynamiska förutsättningar som krävs utan att husets stabiliserande element till största del består av betong. Däremot finns flera trä-modeller i denna rapport som klarar vindlastzon 25 och terrängtyp tre, en mycket mer vanlig situation. Enklare statisk analys antyder att limträpelares dimensioner möjliggör montage mellan moduler utan större produktionsanpassning. Även korslaminerat trä inkluderas fördelaktigt i kärna och fasad, innanför och utanför modulerna, utan att det påverkar de traditionella konstruktionsmetoderna för vare sig moduler eller KL-stomme väsentligt. / In this study, it was examined how a 14-story tall residential building with a core of cross laminated timber (CLT) and prefabricated apartment modules can be built in an industrialized manner. The number of floors and production type were determined early, in consultation with RISE, in order to effectively examine a likely way of building houses in the near future. Dynamic modal analyses were performed for the building's various models in the FEM program Robot Structural Analysis to generate eigen frequencies. Then the method provided in Eurocode and EKS were followed to calculate the top acceleration that the wind causes at the buildings highest floor. This value was then compared with the recommended comfort requirement from ISO 10137. The studied building is a high-rise tower block house with a central core and 14 modules of size 4 x 8 meters per floor. These were placed around the 8 x 8-meter-wide core, giving a total footprint of 24 x 24 meters. Over 20 different computer models were studied with variations in placement and amount of CLT in facade, placement and number of concrete floors and walls. The impact of gypsum inner and outer walls is also being tested. Connections between modules also belongs to some of the changes that were being made between models. The result shows that it is possible to build the model named 1400KL in wind zone 24 and terrain type III, with the mechanical dampening set at two percent. It is also apparent that the walls of modules separating apartments have considerable significance for the overall stability of the frame and that increasing their stiffness is an effective way of improving dynamic properties. It can be concluded from this study that placing a substantial mass at the top of the building is of high importance. It also appears that rigid concrete stories at the bottom of the core contribute greatly to prevent the top floor of the house from exceeding the comfort criteria under high wind loads. This is a widely used technique in the base of houses being built today. Rotation has been shown to appear in the models used in this work. This is something that must be tested specifically for all variants of the base model since rotation is disadvantageous from a dynamic aspect. This is due to the fact that the codes do not consider dynamic rotation. In general, a 14-storey high-rise wooden house in wind zone 26 and terrain type 0 does not fulfil the comfort requirements without most of the stabilizing elements of the house being concrete. On the other hand, there were several wooden models in this study that can endure wind zone 25 and terrain type III, a much more common situation. A simplified static analysis suggests that glulam columns can have dimensions that allow them be placed between modules without major adaptation in production. Also, cross-laminated timber is advantageously included in the core and facade, inside and outside the modules, without significantly affecting the traditional design methods for modules or the cross-laminated frame.

Guadua angustifolia Kunth (Guadua) is a bamboo species native to South and Central America that has been widely used for structural applications in small and large-scale buildings, bridges and temporary structures. Currently, its structural use is regulated within seismic resistant building codes in countries such as Peru and Colombia. Nevertheless, Guadua remains a material for vernacular construction associated with high levels of manual labour and structural unpredictability. Guadua buildings are limited to two storeys due to the overall flexibility of the slender and hollow culms and its connection systems. Its axial specific stiffness is comparable to that of steel and hardwoods, but unlike wood, Guadua’s hollow structure and lack of ray cells render it prone to buckling along the grain and to transverse crushing. As a result, Guadua’s mainstream use in construction and transformation into standard sizes or engineered Guadua products is scarce. Therefore, this work focussed on the development of standardised flat industrial structural products from Guadua devising replicable manufacturing technologies and engineering methods to measure and predict their mechanical behaviour. Cross-laminated Guadua panels were developed using thermohydro-mechanically modified and laminated flat Guadua strips glued with a high performance resin. Guadua was subjected to thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) treatments that modified its microstructure and mechanical properties. THM treatment was applied to Guadua with the aim of tackling the difficulties in the fabrication of standardised construction materials and to gain a uniform fibre content profile that facilitated prediction of mechanical properties for structural design. Densified homogenous flat Guadua strips (FGS) were obtained. Elastic properties of FGS were determined in tension, compression and shear using small-clear specimens. These properties were used to predict the structural behaviour of G-XLam panels comprised of three and five layers (G-XLam3 and G-XLam5) by numerical methods. The panels were assumed as multi-layered systems composed of contiguous lamellas with orthotropic axes orientated at 0º and 90º. A finite element (FE) model was developed, and successfully simulated the response of G-XLam3 & 5 panels virtually loaded with the same boundary conditions as the following experimental tests on full-scale panels. G-XLam3 and G-XLam5 were manufactured and their mechanical properties evaluated by testing large specimens in compression, shear and bending. Results from numerical, FE predictions and mechanical testing demonstrated comparable results. Finally, design and manufacturing aspects of the G-XLam panels were discussed and examples of their architectural and structural use in construction applications such as mid-rise buildings, grid shells and vaults are presented. Overall, this research studies THM treatments applied to Guadua in order to produce standardised engineered Guadua products (EGP), and provides guidelines for manufacturing, testing, and for the structural analysis and design with G-XLam panels. These factors are of key importance for the use of Guadua as a mainstream material in construction.

Este trabalho teve como finalidade o estudo da aplicação de um adesivo alternativo para a fabricação de madeira laminada colada (MLC). Este adesivo, à base de óleo de mamona, apresenta vantagens em relação ao tradicionalmente utilizado, considerando aspectos ecológicos e econômicos. Foram determinados parâmetros adequados para a colagem, e avaliada a compatibilidade entre adesivo e o tratamento com o preservativo hidrossolúvel de Arseniato de Cobre Cromatado (CCA - tipo C) e em madeiras sem o tratamento preservativo, em termos de resistência da linha da cola, por meio dos ensaios de cisalhamento, de tração normal e de tração paralela às fibras, usando a espécie Pinus caribea hondurensis. Com estes parâmetros, foram confeccionadas 12 vigas de MLC, utilizando-se as espécies de reflorestamento Pinus caribea hondurensis e Eucaliptus grandis. Foi avaliado o desempenho estrutural das vigas de MLC, por intermédio do ensaio mecânico de resistência à flexão, objetivando-se analisar a resistência da linha de cola. Os resultados obtidos permitem concluir o bom desempenho do adesivo poliuretano à base de mamona, para a aplicação em madeira não preservada e preservada com OCA tipo-C. A pressão de colagem indicada para laminação das vigas é 0,8% MPa para madeira não tratada, e 1,6 MPa para madeira tratada. Para a fabricação das emendas das lâminas recomenda-se a pressão de colagem igual a MPa, para madeira tratada ou não. / The aim of this work is the study of the use of alternative adhesive for glued laminated timber (GLULAM). This adhesive, based on castor oil, presents ecological and economical advantages in relation of traditionally used. The appropriate parameters for gluing were determined and the compatibility between this adhesive and treatment with the waterbome preservative of chromated copper arsenate (CCA-C) were evaluated through shear tests and tensions tests (perpendicular and parallel to the grain), using the species Pinus caribea hondurensis. With these parameters, were made 12 beams of GLULAM; using the species Pinus caribea hondurensis and Eucaliptus grandis. The structural performance of the beams of GLULAM was evaluated through static bending tests. The results obtained allow concluding the good performance of the adhesive polyurethane based on castor oil, for use in wood not preserved and preserved with CCA type-C. The gluing pressures indicated are 0,8 MPa for non-treated wood, and 1,6 MPa for treated wood. The gluing pressure recommended for finger-joints is 9 MPa, for treated wood or not.

House construction today is largely project-based, where the buildings are tailored tounique conditions and locations that are rarely the same as another build on anotherbuilding site. In addition to the building itself and the building site, involved actorsusually also change from project to project. As a result of today's project-basedconstruction, there is a lack of a standardized and systematic work process forconstruction work. A systematic work process could contribute to all the players' pursuitof profit. To explore the possibilities of creating an improved work process, this study focusedon balconies of wooden houses. The purpose and objectives of the work were therefore designed to evaluate today'sconstruction work for the design of balconies in wooden houses, where possible areasof improvement were evaluated to create a systematic work process for constructorsin designing and dimensioning balconies in wooden houses.In order to achieve the purpose and objectives of the work, four questions have beendeveloped that focus on the production of systematic work processes, the current workprocess of the construction work, design methods and balconies in wooden houses.Existing research and published material were found through a literature and contextstudy to further develop the study’s work. Theory regarding systematisation and process development, balconies,dimensioning of supporting structures, etc. was the basis for how the work would becarried out. The systematized work process for balcony design was, however, createdusing information from the qualitative interview study with a total of eight (8)respondents in different roles I house building. The work process was then partiallytested in a quantitative verification. The work resulted in a systematic work process in the form of a checklist that includesgeneral tips as well as a chronological workflow that describes how, when, with whomand what should and can be done at the balcony design to get the best possible results.A description of the existing balcony types has also been developed to simplify workand to clarify important points and tasks in the design of a particular type of balcony. The workflow is divided into the activities of the design and dimensioning, such asstart-up, design and dimensioning of the balcony's main components, detail designand dimensioning of fastening components, drawing up drawings and assemblydescriptions, and follow-up and development of the work process. Based on the results of the study, the questions were answered with a description ofthe four (4) types of balcony, which were based on theory and were strengthened bymeans of empirical data from the respondents. Two (2) of the balcony types are viiiconsidered more common, balconies with pillars to land and rods above the balconyplate, where the latter is considered the most common in wooden houses at present.Today's construction work for designing and dimensioning balconies in woodenhouses is similar in large part, but due to the use of prefabrication and standardizationdegree the work differs from each other. The verification of a part of the work process resulted in a balcony solution with crosslaminated timber as a balcony slab and in a comparison between results from aproposed software and hand calculations. The comparison showed that the softwarecan be used for dimensioning balconies with cross laminated timber, with the exceptionthat the dimensioning for fire must be done by hand because of deficiencies in thesoftware's settings. The study has shown that systematisation is often based on LEAN Production, whichwas created by the Japanese automotive industry, which focuses on creating efficientwork processes by circularly examining, testing, evaluating and developing workprocesses. The conclusion of the work is that it is possible to systematise construction work, butunlike the manufacturing industry, the work process must have adjustment possibilitiesduring the work to meet the commonly occurring changes in house construction.However, in order for the systematisation work to be carried out, increasedunderstanding and involvement from and by other actors than constructors arerequired. A systematic work process together with type solutions and standardized calculationmethods can shorten the design time, improve and secure the solutions, and allowmore time for creative thinking to further improve the balcony solutions and the workprocess.

<p>The EN Eurocodes are a new series of standards for construction design in Europe. The development of these codes started originally in 1975 and in present time the progressing work is at the national calibration stage. The goal is to create a common standard for the design of buildings and other civil engineering works throughout Europe and beyond. The purpose is to increase the free circulation of construction products and engineering services. Since the transition to the new standards is getting closer, the constructing engineers and companies will soon stand before great changes. This is why Kadesjös Ingenjörsbyrå AB asked me to do an analysis of the first part of the new standard, i.e. Eurocode 1990, and look at the differences among the existing standards in Sweden and the Eurocodes. The result of this is summarized not only in the report but also in a “User’s manual” which is presented in appendix 1 attached to the report. A limited study of the environmental effects of the transition to Eurocode EN 1990 has also been done. By comparing design calculations of a normal beam in three different materials, steel, concrete and glued laminated timber, one can, for instance, get a general view of how the differences of the two standards affect the required quantity of material. To get an insight of the different opinions that might exist concerning the new standard, a survey based on interviews of a few constructional engineers has been done. There was also discussed if any, and in that case what kind of preparations constructors and design companies are performing to be well prepared when the transition comes.</p>