WoodWorks Leads Blast Testing Project For Cross-Laminated Timber

by | Dec 19, 2016 | News

Videos are now available showing a series of live blast tests on three cross-laminated timber (CLT) structures at Tyndall Air Force Base, conducted by WoodWorks in cooperation with the US Forest Service and Softwood Lumber Board. Post-test observations were exciting. All structures remained intact and matched modeling predictions with acceptable levels of damage under significant explosive loading. The results of this testing will be used to further expand the use of wood solutions for Department of Defense applications and other blast-resistant construction. Watch the videos here: https://bit.ly/2hwVE1g

The CLT structures—each two-story, single-bay structure with anchorage to an existing concrete slab—were constructed in full by Lendlease over a period of eight days. Each structure was constructed using a different grade of CLT (i.e., grade designations V1, E1 and V4 per ANSI/APA PRG-320 provided by DR Johnson, Nordic and SmartLam, respectively) and included window and door openings (with doors provided by American Direct) consistent with an actual building. Self-drilling screws provided by MyTiCon and adhesive anchors provided by Hilti were utilized in concert with angle steel to connect the constituent panels of each structure.

Three shots were performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of CLT over a spectrum of blast loads. The first two shots were designed to stress the CLT structures to within their respective elastic limits. The third shot was designed to push the structures beyond their elastic limits such that post-peak response could be observed. Reflected pressure and peak deflections were recorded and will be used to thoroughly document the response of the structure in time, and support a design methodology for predicting elastic response of CLT under dynamic loads.

Initial observations deriving from these tests are positive. For the first two tests, peak recorded deflections were consistent with pre-test predictions, indicating the efficacy of the design assumptions and supporting design methodologies. Results from the third test indicated a controlled response in which localized panel rupture was observed but connection integrity and load carrying ability were not compromised for any of the three structures. Over the next couple months, WoodWorks will be working with Karagozian & Case, Inc. and the University of Maine to thoroughly post-process and analyze the results of these tests.

From Business Wire: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20161215005337/en/WoodWorks-Leads-Blast-Testing-Project-Cross-Laminated-Timber

World’s Largest CLT Apartment Complex Being Built In Montreal

by | Oct 16, 2015 | News

Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) is one of our favorite materials; it’s made from a renewable resource, it sequesters carbon dioxide, it’s lighter than concrete and it’s lovely to look at. What’s not to love? In most of the CLT projects so far its use has been downplayed, thanks to the effectiveness of the concrete and steel people who try and convince people that it is not as good as concrete. That’s why this new project in Montreal is so interesting: It accentuates the positive, the virtues of wood construction. Even its name, Arbora, alludes to wood.

It’s also big. The Arbora project in Montreal is claimed to be the largest residential CLT project in the world, made up of 434 condo, townhouse and rental units in three eight story buildings, all made from sustainably harvested wood turned into panels by Nordic CLT. It’s designed by Lemay+CHA.

But what I really like is the fact that they are really building on the strengths of wood instead of trying to hide it. The developers, in their marketing, discuss the renewable aspects of wood construction, the strength and weight advantages, the thermal and fire resistance, the accuracy.

Prefabricated panels cut to the required dimensions are delivered to the site, and the openings for doors and windows are cut to an accuracy of one tenth of a millimeter using computer numerical control (CNC) precision machinery. Everything is planned and organized so the building can be erected quickly.

From TreeHugger.com: https://www.treehugger.com/green-architecture/worlds-largest-cross-laminated-timber-apartment-complex-being-built-montreal.html?utm_source=WIT101615&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=WeekInTrees