Mass Timber in Affordable Multi-Family Housing
Design steps, code compliance options, and material optimization strategies for those looking to utilize mass timber in affordable housing projects.
- Solution Papers
What is mass timber?
What is mass timber, what are the common products and systems, and where can you purchase mass timber for U.S. projects? This article answers these questions, outlining the differences between mass timber materials, typical structural uses, and where to find key resources for developers, building designers, and construction professionals.
- Solution Papers
How to Successfully Cost Manage a Mass Timber Project
Covers cost estimating considerations for general contractors with an emphasis on minimizing whole project costs and maximizing the value of mass timber projects
- Solution Papers
Mass Timber: The Optimal Solution for Multi-Family High-Rise Construction
Overview of mass timber’s value proposition for multi-family high-rise buildings, including insights from developers of completed tall timber projects in the U.S.
- Solution Papers
Meeting Sustainability Objectives with Wood Buildings
High-level overview of mass timber’s contributions to sustainable development goals, including healthy buildings, reduced carbon impact, resilience, and circularity
- Solution Papers
Considerations & Worksheet for Structural WBLCA of Mass Timber Buildings
Guidance for mass timber building designers undertaking whole building life cycle assessment (WBLCA)
- Solution Papers
Repair of Fire-Damaged Mass Timber
Recognizing that repair of fire-damaged mass timber is a consideration for building owners and insurers, this paper answers common questions and summarizes four studies that discuss and/or investigate post-fire repair strategies.
- Solution Papers
Differential Material Movement in Tall Mass Timber Structures
Covers reasons for vertical movement, methods of calculating anticipated movement, calculated vs. on-site verified movement, detailing options, and strategies implemented on North American projects.
- Solution Papers
CLT Diaphragm Design for Wind and Seismic Resistance
Overview of new CLT diaphragm provisions in SDPWS 2021 and recommendations on their implementation.
- Solution Papers
Taking the Guesswork out of Mixed-Use Building Requirements
To simplify code analysis for Type III and V mixed-use buildings, this paper provides logical, code-compliant steps for key aspects of design, such as allowable building size and fire separation.
- Solution Papers
Insurance for Mass Timber Construction: Assessing Risk and Providing Answers
Whether you’re looking to insure a mass timber building, want to make your project more insurable, or need information on safety and performance—this paper is a useful resource.
- Solution Papers
Mass Timber Connections Index: Optimal Connection Considerations
Find out which connections are optimal from a cost perspective while balancing considerations such as aesthetics, fire-rating requirements, constructability and more. Includes both structural and architectural details.
- Solution Papers
Demonstrating Fire-Resistance Ratings for Mass Timber Elements in Tall Wood Structures
Interested in tall timber buildings? This paper offers practical guidance on a fundamental topic—how to achieve fire-resistance ratings (FRRs) under the new mass timber construction types.
- Solution Papers
Concealed Spaces in Mass Timber and Heavy Timber Structures
Learn which construction types allow exposed mass timber structural elements in low-rise, mid-rise and tall wood buildings.
- Solution Papers
Shaft Wall Requirements in Tall Mass Timber Buildings
This paper offers an in-depth look at the requirements for shaft walls in tall mass timber buildings, including when and where wood can be used.
- Solution Papers
Effective Termite Protection for Multi-Family and Commercial Wood Buildings
Learn how to design and construct wood-frame buildings for termite prevention, and how to keep buildings insect-free over the long term.
- Solution Papers
Analysis Guidance for Cross-Laminated Timber Construction Exposed to Airblast Loading
Does your project need to meet blast-resistance requirements? This paper outlines a Protective Design Center Technical Report that enables engineers trained in structural dynamics to design cross-laminated timber (CLT) structures for blast loads.
- Solution Papers
Mass Timber Cost and Design Optimization Checklists
Use these checklists as a guide as you design, estimate, and make cost-related decisions on mass timber projects.
- Solution Papers
Fire Design of Mass Timber Members: Code Applications, Construction Types and Fire Ratings
This paper focuses on how to meet fire-resistance requirements in mass timber projects, including calculation and testing-based methods. Companion piece to the Inventory of Fire Resistance-Tested Mass Timber Assemblies.
- Solution Papers
Accommodating Shrinkage in Multi-Story Wood-Frame Structures
Designing a wood-frame building that’s 3+ stories? As this paper demonstrates, accommodating wood shrinkage is both necessary and straightforward.
- Solution Papers