CLT panels can be used as floors, walls, furniture, ceilings, and roofs. The panels are cut and assembled in production and then transported to the jobsite and erected. CLT panels do not require cladding. They can be used directly for construction projects, such as homes, businesses, and industrial structures. Here are some tips for incorporating CLT into your next project. We’ll also talk about how to properly detail CLT to maximize its performance.
First, consider how the CLT panels will be connected. The CLT Handbook provides guidance on how CLT connections should be detailed. Many engineers, especially those with little or no timber construction experience, rely on exposed steel hardware, which is visually unacceptable and often unsuitable for structures that require a fire-resistance rating. With proper detailing, CLT connections can be installed with no more than the screw heads showing. You can get Bridge Detailing. To create a visually attractive, functional, and aesthetically pleasing CLT building, be sure to use screws with the right amount of friction.
Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) is an engineered wood panel product composed of multiple layers of structural composite lumber. CLT panels are used as walls, roofs, and floors. The Dowco Mass Timber model includes CLT detailing, because Dowco knows that accurate CLT BIM modeling is critical. However, it’s important to understand that improper CLT detailing can result in an overly complex and expensive structure. By using these tips, you can ensure the structural accuracy of CLT panels and the overall durability of your building.
CLT panels are load-bearing elements in structural systems, and their crosswise design provides exceptional structural stability. The lumber used for the outer layers of CLT panels is usually vertically oriented to minimize gravity loads. This maximizes the wall’s vertical load capacity. Get in touch with Dowco to get Rebar Detailing. CLT panels can be designed with a variety of designs and finishes, ranging from recessed, exposed CLT to cladding, and hybrid applications with steel and concrete.
Although CLT is a renewable resource, there are other advantages. CLT is typically made from wood harvested from sustainable forestry. This means there are no emissions from manufacturing CLT. Its use in construction includes infrastructure, such as bridge forms and bases for tractors in unstable terrain. In addition, it has been used for many small constructions due to its interesting appearance and strong structural properties. In fact, skyscrapers are currently being built using CLT parts.
A proper CLT detailing plan will help minimize the amount of moisture that CLT wall panels absorb. A water-repellent coating is a good option if moisture is a problem. It must be moderately vapor-permeable to prevent CLT from absorbing water. A water-repellent coating can be effective in high-risk areas, but is not 100% effective when exposed to prolonged moisture. In high-risk areas, water-repellent coatings should not be the only type of protection.
Fire-resistant construction is another benefit of CLT. Unlike traditional wood, CLT is naturally fire resistant because of its charring. This charring on CLT slows the rate of combustion. It gives time to safely evacuate a building. When properly installed and maintained, CLT does not acquire mold. Proper CLT detailing will protect the wood from direct contact with moisture. Proper use of sealants, coatings, and flashing will ensure that moisture does not penetrate to any CLT elements.
While horizontal CLT panels can provide slope to a roof, they are not ideal for a vertical application. Because they are exposed to more moisture, a vapor-permeable AB layer beneath the CLT panel acts as a temporary protection membrane. Standing water over the membrane is not likely to cause water leakage for 24 hours. Further, a vapor-permeable liquid-applied flashing may be the best solution.
Water-repellent coatings can reduce the effects of wetting, but they cannot address the issue of gaps between CLT laminations. They are not effective at reducing the amount of water in CLT enclosures and should not be relied on as a sole solution for moisture control. Generally, a separate water-resistive membrane will be required in CLT enclosures. The application of a waterproofing membrane is a good option.
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