Potential of cross-laminated timber for independent shear wall systems

ABSTRACT

This paper addresses problems related to calculation of the horizontal stiffness of modular multi-story timber frame buildings. The use of cross-laminated timber (CLT) as an independent shear wall system is introduced as a possible solution, meaning that no vertical load is applied to the structure. Its main advantage is to simplify the design process through separation of the vertical and horizontal load, and direct transmission of horizontal loads to the foundations. Two types of shear walls are experimentally investigated and discussed from the perspective of stiffness, design and highly automated manufacturing. The results of CLT hybrid system with steel columns show the utilization of the shear stiffness of CLT up to 27%, and the option of simplified calculations. For a line-connected cantilever shear wall, two analytical models of varying character – force- and displacement-based – are used to validate the test results, with both showing a good overlap.

KEYWORDS:

• Modular timber houses
• cross-laminated timber
• shear wall system
• self-perforating dowel
• slotted-in steel plate

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Peetri Puit OÜ for donating the CLT panels, and Rotho-Blaas for providing the dowels for the tests.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.