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Structural Performance and

Design of CLT Building

CLTSymposiumandWorkshop
SylvainGagnon,Eng.
October12,2011 M.Mohammad,Ph.D.,P.Eng.
Moncton,NB
 Outline

What is Cross Laminated Timber (CLT)

Advantages
Basic Configurations & properties
Structural Design of CLT Elements/Assemblies
Floors/roof slabs
Walls
Beams and Lintels
Connections Techniques in CLT Assemblies
Seismic Performance of CLT Assemblies
 Cross-Laminated Timber
New generation of lightweight and
prefabricated systems

Consists of wood strips (planks)

stacked crosswise on top of each

other (glued or nailed)

Thicknesses of the panels vary from

50 to 600 mm

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 CLT Assemblies

Source: Kevin Meechan

Courtesy WoodWorks
A series of prefabricated CLT panels
connected together on site to form
an assembly or a building
Quick on-site erection due to
- High degree of prefab.
- Ease of assembly using conventional
& innovative fasteners

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 Advantages of CLT Panels

X-lamination minimizes swelling &

shrinkage in the board plane
Relatively high in-plane (seismic) &
out-of-plane (wind) strength and
stiffness

Good seismic & fire resistance

heavy timber construction (i.e.,
inherent fire resistance)

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 Why CLT is Different than Glulam?!

Beam-like member
Thick Orthotropic
Plate

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 Come in a Variety of Configurations.
1, 2, 3, 4 Single or multiple
transverse layers surface layers

 One-Way or Two-Way Slab Action

Two way action capability similar to a concrete slab:

- b/a 2 Slab supported on 4 sides designed in one direction
- b/a 2 Slab supported on 4 sides designed in 2 directions

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 Lumber Properties

Dimensions

Thickness of boards varies

from ~15 mm to ~50 mm

Width of boards may varies

considerably (63 ~ 235 mm)

MC: 12% 3%

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 Lumber Properties for Floor/Roof Panels

Longitudinal Layers
MSR 1650Fb-1.5E (or Better)
Visual Grade No1/No2
SCL (proprietary)

Transverse Layers
Visual Grade No3/Stud (or
Better)
SCL (proprietary)

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 Lumber Properties for Wall Panels

Lumber grades for walls

Vertical Layers

Visual Grade No1/No2

SCL (proprietary)

Horizontal Layers/Transverse

Visual Grade No3/Stud

SCL (proprietary)

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Principle Design Properties of CLT Panels
(i.e., Floor or Roof Slab or Wall Applications)

Ultimate Limit State

Bending capacity (in & out-of plane)
Shear (transverse direction)
Comp. perp. to grain strength
Serviceability Limit State
Deflection
Creep
Vibration

Fire, acoustics, durability, etc.

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 Structural Design Principles of
CLT Elements

Source: Structurlam

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 Rolling Shear Strength & Modulus
Rolling Shear strength & stiffness of transverse layers may
control the design of CLT floor or wall
Wood = low rolling shear Significant deformations

Rolling Shear failure

Stresses due to rolling shear

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February 08, 2011
 Rolling Shear Strength, Fv,R

Rolling Shear Strength (Fv,R)

Rolling shear strength varies between 18% to 28%

of parallel-to-grain shear values ( 0.3 to 0.6 MPa)
(Source: Wood Handbook)

Roughly Tension Perpendicular to Grain Strength

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 Rolling Shear Modulus, GR

Rolling Shear Modulus (GR or G90)

Generally assumed to be 10% of the
shear modulus parallel to the grain of the
boards (G)

G E/16 for softwood species (// to grain)

Assuming GR = 50 MPa is conservative

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FPInnovations CLT Handbook

Provides information on how to determine the engineering

properties of CLT elements by using the properties of
individual laminations

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Determination of Design Properties of CLT

Different methods adopted in Europe

Some methods are experimental, while others are
analytical
Experimental: Flexural properties determined by testing
sections or full-size panels: configuration specific
Analytical methods more versatile and less costly
alternative once verified
Analytical approach can predict strength & stiffness
properties of CLT element based on lamina properties
No analytical approach has been universally accepted by
CLT manufactures in Europe as yet

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Proposed Analytical Design Methods for CLT
Elements used in Floor and Roof Systems
1) Mechanically Jointed Beams Theory (Gamma Method)
Bending Strength & Stiffness
Shear Strength
2) Composite Theory (k Method)
Bending Stiffness & Stiffness
3) Shear Analogy (Kreuzinger)
Bending Stiffness
Shear Stiffness
4) Simplified Design Methods
Bending Strength
Shear Strength

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Analytical Design Methods for CLT Slab
Elements (i.e., Floor and Roof Systems)

1) Mechanically Jointed Beams Theory (Gamma

Method)
Fastener (k)
Most common approach in Europe
Based on Annex B of Eurocode 5 (EN 1995:2004)
Developed for beams connected together with
mechanical fasteners with stiffness k uniformly spaced
at a certain distance s
Only layers acting in the direction of loading are used
For L/d ratio 30, shear deformation of longitudinal
layers is neglected

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Analytical Design Methods for CLT Slab
Elements (i.e., Floor and Roof Systems)

Mechanically Jointed Beams Theory (Gamma Method)

Method takes into account the rolling shear stiffness (GR)

of the cross layers using imaginary fasteners

Longitudinal layers are taken as beam elements

connected with imaginary fasteners with a
Stiffness = rolling shear stiffness of cross layers

Recommended for 3 & 5 layers CLT panels

Applied to simply supported beams/panels
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 Normal Stress Distribution in Composite
Sections: Degree of interaction (rigidity) between layers
Connection Nointeraction Some Full
Efficiency betweenmembers interaction interaction
(semirigid) (rigid)
factor() =0
0<<1 =1

Dependsonstiffnessofinterface/connection
Courtesy of Norsk Treteknisk Institutt

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Analytical Design Methods for CLT Slab
Elements (i.e., Floor and Roof Systems)

Mechanically Jointed Beams Theory (Gamma Method)

Effective Bending Stiffness:
n
( EI ) eff ( Ei I i i Ei A a ) 2
i i
i 1

Where 0 < 1

=1 for rigid connection and = 0 for no connection

But typically varies from 0.85 to 0.99

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Analytical Design Methods for CLT Slab
Elements (i.e., Floor and Roof Systems)
2) Composite Theory: K-Method (Blass & Fellmoser)
Based on a theory adopted for plywood but modified
However, stiffness of all layers is used in this case
Stiffness of cross layers is taken as E90 = E0 / 30
Composition factors (ki) are determined for certain loading
configurations
Effective values of strength and stiffness are calculated
using a composition factor ki
For L/d 30, shear deformation is neglected

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Analytical Design Methods for CLT Slab
Elements (i.e., Floor and Roof Systems)
3) Shear Analogy (Kreuzinger)- Most Precise..
Consider the different modulus of elasticity and shear modulus of
single layers (both directions)
The effect of shear deformation in both directions is NOT neglected
Stiffness of cross layers is taken as E90 = E0 / 30
NOT limited by the No. of layers
Multi-layer CLT panels are considered as two virtual beams A and B
Beam A
Beam B
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Analytical Design Methods for CLT Slab
Elements (i.e., Floor and Roof Systems)
3) Shear Analogy (Kreuzinger)
Beam A Beam B

n
hi3 n
( EI ) eff ( EI ) A ( EI ) B Ei bi Ei Ai zi2
i 1 12 i 1

a2
(GA) eff
h1 n 1 hi hn

2 G1 b i 2 Gi bi 2 Gn b

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Proposed CLT Standard for North America

A harmonized CLT draft product standard developed by

ANSI/APA CLT Standard Committee Standard for Performance
Rated CLT ANSI/APA PRG 320
5 stress grades for Canada & 7 grades for the US
Shear Analogy method has been adopted
Properties are given for major and minor axis of the panel

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Analytical Design Methods for CLT Slab
Elements (i.e., Floor and Roof Systems)
4) Simplified Design Methods Based on CSA O86

Factored Bending Capacity:

( EI ) eff 1
M r Fb
E1 0.5htot

For E1=E2=E3 (longitudinal layers)

I eff
M r Fb
0.5htot
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 Proposed Analytical Design Methods for
CLT Wall Elements
CLT wall elements under combined
axial in-plane & out-of-plane loads

1) Theory of Mechanically Jointed Columns

(Eurocode 5)

2) CSA O86-09 Approach Combined with

Mechanically Connected Beams
Theory

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 Proposed Analytical Design Methods for
CLT Wall Elements

CSA O86-09 Approach Combined with Mechanically

Connected Beams Theory

Only the layers oriented parallel

to the axial force carry the load

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Proposed Analytical Design Methods for
CLT Wall Elements

CSA O86-09 Approach Combined with Mechanically

Connected Beams Theory
Using CSA O86-09 Clause 5.5.6.2.2, the slenderness ratio
Cc for rectangular CLT wall can be calculated as:
H H I eff
Cc where reff
d 2 3 reff Aeff

Aeff b heff b hi
b i

Many producers in Europe limit the panel slenderness ratio (H/reff ) to 150
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Proposed Analytical Design Methods for
CLT Wall Elements

CSA O86-09 Approach Combined with Mechanically

Connected Beams Theory
Axial loading

The design procedure for determining the buckling strength

follows Clause 5.5.6 of CSA O86-09
Substituting the cross section area A with Aeff , and the total
thickness d with the effective thickness heff :

Pr FC Aeff K ZC K C
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Proposed Analytical Design Methods for
CLT Wall Elements

CSA O86-09 Approach Combined with Mechanically

Connected Beams Theory

Axial and out of plane/P- effect

Resistance can be determined as per Section 5.5.10 of CSA
O86-09:
2
Pf M f , P
1
Pr Mr
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Proposed Analytical Design Methods for
CLT Elements used as Beams and Lintels

CLT beams/lintels
under Axial in-plane
Loads

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Analytical Design Methods for CLT Elements
used as Beams and Lintels

Two Methods Proposed

1) Simplified Design Method for Calculating Bending Strength

2) Composite Theory k Method

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 Proposed Analytical Design Methods for
CLT Elements used as Beams and Lintels

Simplified Design Method

When the modulus of elasticity of all longitudinal layers are

equal (i.e., E1 = E2, etc..)

I eff
M r Fb
0.5 H

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 Proposed Analytical Design Methods for
CLT Elements used as Beams and Lintels

Simplified Design Method heff H 3 H3

I eff hi
12 12 i

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Strength Adjustment Factors in CSA O86-09

Load Duration Factor KD

Service Condition Factor KS

System Factor KH

Treatment Factor KT

Lateral Stability Factor KL (beams and lintels)

Size Factor for Bending KZb

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Strength Adjustment Factors in CSA O86-09

Load Duration Factor (KD)

Typically, creep rupture is attributed to the load

duration effect.

Recommendations are to use those given for lumber

& glulam in Table 4.3.2.2, CSA O86-09

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Strength Adjustment Factors in CSA O86-09

Service Condition Factor (KS)

Different adjustment factors for different mechanical

properties

DRY or WET conditions

(Dry: Avg. EMC 15% & MC < 19%)

Recommendations to use Ks for glulam as

given in Table 6.4.2, CSA O86-09

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 Seismic Performance of CLT Assemblies

Shake Table Tests on CLT Assemblies

Coupled CLT Walls

3-storey building
Single storey
IVALSA SOFIE Project
7-Storeys High CLT Building on a Shake Table

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 Seismic Performance of CLT Assemblies

Research findings from Europe, Japan

and Canada has shown that CLT
construction can have adequate seismic
performance when nails or slender screws
are used with the steel brackets and/or
hold-downs

Connections control seismic performance

Recommendations for Seismic

Force Factors are
Rd=2.0, Ro=1.5

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Importance of Connections in CLT Assemblies

Maintain structural integrity

Provide ductility for lateral load

design (e.g., seismic & wind)
Affect the serviceability design
(vibration, acoustics, etc.)
May affect the fire safety design

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Common Connection Techniques in CLT

Source: M. Augustin /ITE

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Current CLT Connections Practice in
Europe

Carpentry
Using CNC technology to create various types
of interlocking profiles (Dovetail connections)
Source: G. Traetta
Traditional fasteners
Bearing or dowel type fasteners, i.e., nails, wood
screws, lag screws & bolts, in combination with
metal plates, brackets and ties.

Innovative
Self-tapping screws & dowels, glued in rods,
bearing-type systems, metal hooks, etc.
Source: SFSIntec
 Wood and Self-Tapping Screws

Extensively used in Europe

Source: SFSIntec
Easy to install & provide high lateral &
withdrawal capacity
Come in a variety of sizes and features Source: Log &Timber
Connections

- Diameters from 4mm to 12mm

- Lengths up to 600mm
Do not require predrilling in most cases,
(unlike traditional lag screws)
Used for WW or WS connections
Source: Kevin Meechan
Courtesy WoodWorks

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CLT Panel to Panel Connection Details
Traditional Fasteners (Screws, Nails)

Source: G. Traetta
Half-lapped
Single surface spline

Single Internal spline

Double surface spline

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CLT Panel to Panel Connection Details
Traditional Fasteners (Screws, Nails)

Double internal spline

Source: Kevin Meechan

Courtesy WoodWorks

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Innovative Systems for CLT Panel to Panel
Connections

Tube connection system

(Source:Traetta & Schickhofer , TU of Graz)

Hook type of connection system

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 Development of Innovative Connection
Systems Concepts in CLT @ FPInnovations

Design Concepts Developed..

Testing is underway..

Concept 1: Bearing
washer (Prototype)

Capitalize on the high

bearing resistance of
wood

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Development of Innovative Connection Systems
Concepts in CLT

Concept 2
Concept 3
Concept 4

Adopting CNC technology & allow

for quick assembly/disassembly

Reduce to steel-to-steel Concept 5

connections
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www.fpinnovations.ca

Structural Performance and

Design of CLT Building
SylvainGagnon,Eng.
M.Mohammad,Ph.D.,P.Eng.

2010 FPInnovations. All rights reserved. Copying and redistribution prohibited.

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