Experimental and Numerical Investigation on Novel Connection System for Cross-Laminated Timber Floors

In the move towards a sustainable built environment, timber structures are experiencing a renaissance in the building industry. Mass timber panels, primarily cross-laminated timber (CLT), are gaining increasing interest from builders and designers due to their lightweight, great dimensional stability, prefabrication, and aesthetic appeal. The CLT floor system resists both gravity loads such as dead and live loads, and lateral loads such as seismic and wind loads. The connections between CLT panels play an important role in efficiently transferring forces between panels and maintaining the integrity of the floor under gravity and lateral loads. The proposed research examines an innovative hybrid adhesive-mechanical fastener connection between CLT panels through laboratory testing and computer modeling. The goal of the proposed research is to facilitate the design of CLT floors, provide new and cost-effective options for connecting CLT panels, and thus, contribute to expanding industry presence and improving the competitiveness of mass timber products in Canada.

Faculty Supervisor:

Thomas Tannert

Student:

Partner:

Timber Engineering Inc

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Construction; Sustainability & the Environment; Forestry

University:

University of Northern British Columbia

Program: