Construction system Mass Timber: CLT y GLT
Mass Timber
Mass Timber is a construction system that uses large-scale prefabricated wooden pieces. These pieces, which can be walls, floors, columns, and beams, are manufactured with high precision in a controlled environment, allowing for faster and more efficient construction.
Mass Timber structures are earthquake and fire-resistant due to the properties of wood. High-rise buildings can be constructed with Mass Timber thanks to the strength and density of its components.
Mass Timber is beneficial for the environment since wood is a renewable resource that stores carbon, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, wood has natural insulating properties that can improve the energy efficiency of buildings
Mass Timber
Mass Timber is a construction system that uses large-scale prefabricated wooden pieces. These pieces, which can be walls, floors, columns, and beams, are manufactured with high precision in a controlled environment, allowing for faster and more efficient construction.
Mass Timber structures are earthquake and fire-resistant due to the properties of wood. High-rise buildings can be constructed with Mass Timber thanks to the strength and density of its components.
Mass Timber is beneficial for the environment since wood is a renewable resource that stores carbon, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, wood has natural insulating properties that can improve the energy efficiency of buildings.
CLT (Cross Laminated Timber)
Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) is a wood product composed of at least three layers of kiln-dried lumber boards, stacked at right angles and glued together under pressure. This structure provides exceptional strength and stability, allowing it to bear heavy loads in all directions.
CLT demonstrates good fire behavior, burning slowly and predictably. It possesses effective thermal and acoustic insulation properties, and since wood is a renewable resource that absorbs CO2, its manufacture has a low environmental impact.
CLT panels can be manufactured with high precision and arrive at the construction site ready to be installed, which reduces construction time and cost. Its versatility allows it to be used in a variety of applications, from walls and floors to ceilings and columns in multi-story buildings.
GLT
GLT is a wood product that is made by gluing layers of wood in a single direction. This gives GLT very high strength in that direction, making it ideal for use in beams and columns.
Like CLT, GLT also has good thermal and acoustic insulation properties and predictable performance in case of fire. Moreover, due to its laminated construction, GLT can be manufactured in a variety of sizes and shapes, making it extremely versatile.
It can be manufactured with precision in a controlled environment and can arrive at the construction site ready to be installed. Also, like CLT, GLT is a sustainable material due to the renewable nature of wood and its ability to store carbon.
CLT (Cross Laminated Timber)
Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) is a wood product composed of at least three layers of kiln-dried lumber boards, stacked at right angles and glued together under pressure. This structure provides exceptional strength and stability, allowing it to bear heavy loads in all directions.
CLT demonstrates good fire behavior, burning slowly and predictably. It possesses effective thermal and acoustic insulation properties, and since wood is a renewable resource that absorbs CO2, its manufacture has a low environmental impact.
CLT panels can be manufactured with high precision and arrive at the construction site ready to be installed, which reduces construction time and cost. Its versatility allows it to be used in a variety of applications, from walls and floors to ceilings and columns in multi-story buildings.
GLT (Glue-Laminated Timber )
GLT is a wood product that is made by gluing layers of wood in a single direction. This gives GLT very high strength in that direction, making it ideal for use in beams and columns.
Like CLT, GLT also has good thermal and acoustic insulation properties and predictable performance in case of fire. Moreover, due to its laminated construction, GLT can be manufactured in a variety of sizes and shapes, making it extremely versatile.
It can be manufactured with precision in a controlled environment and can arrive at the construction site ready to be installed. Also, like CLT, GLT is a sustainable material due to the renewable nature of wood and its ability to store carbon.
REASONS TO CHOOSE
Mass Timber
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Strength :
One of the most robust materials relative to its weight. Environmental commitment:
Uses renewable, reusable, or recyclable raw materials.Aesthetic appeal:
A natural product with which people inherently connect.Energy efficiency:
Requires significantly less energy in its manufacturing process than other materials.Durability:
Exhibits a higher tolerance to harsh environments.Malleability:
Can be molded into almost any shape.Dimensional stability:
Maintains form without twisting or bending.Fire resistance:
Superior to many other building materials.Workability:
Easily constructed with basic mechanical and manual tools.
CONSTRUCTION FEATURES
- Highly appropriate option for sustainable design.
- Low greenhouse gas emissions.
- Natural origin and renewable nature.
- Its use promotes energy efficiency and biophilic design.
- We implement systems that minimize environmental impact.
- It is essential to consider the CO2 emissions associated with the materials used in construction and the management of the waste generated.
- Wood, as the primary material, comes from a renewable source and contributes to energy savings in buildings, while also helping to capture carbon in the atmosphere.
- Optimization of resources and more accurate budgets.
- Reduced costs associated with site logistics and waste management.
- Intelligent design, fast execution and the possibility of reusing components in future projects translate into a profitable long-term investment.
- Possibility to create detailed digital models of the design.
- Accuracy in measurements and specifications.
- More efficient and precise execution at the construction site.
- Optimization in the use of resources such as labor and materials. Smoother and faster execution of the work, which can result in reduced construction times.
- CLT and GLT provide an ideal platform for our architects, builders, and designers to express their creativity and ensure flawless execution in every project.
- These systems offer numerous advantages, including architectural freedom and the ability to customize each construction.
- More thorough work in the design phase reduces costs and work time on site.
Wood structures
The “reduced section method” is the most widely recognized analytical approach globally to evaluate the load-bearing capacity of Mass Timber elements when exposed to fire (for instance, beams, columns, floor/ceiling panels, etc.). The reduced section is usually calculated using a linear charring rate, which is set out in the relevant wood design standards, alongside a zero-resistance layer. As this is a method grounded in mechanics and given that various tests have surpassed the 2-hour mark, there’s theoretically no basis to restrict the use of this construction method to a certain maximum fire resistance duration (e.g., more than 2 hours).
In the realm of Mass Timber today, the primary areas of research and concern pertain to resistance and potential challenges arising from fires.
Two central themes have been thoroughly researched and addressed via numerous experiments:
– Structural performance during a fire: The building possesses an ample amount of wood in its structure to remain standing post-fire.
– Fire-extinguishing capabilities within the building: While the fire impacts the structure, it also needs to be tackled both from the outside and inside.
Living in wooden structures offers multiple benefits for humans.
Wood brings nature indoors. Buildings that showcase this material trigger positive psychological reactions similar to how trees induce biophilic responses, amplifying the potential positive impacts on human health. A 2015 study by the Planet Ark Environmental Foundation in Australia noted that wood has been proven to provide positive physiological and psychological benefits.
The warmth and comfort that wood evokes in people can lower blood pressure and heart rates, reducing stress and anxiety while enhancing positive social interactions. Moreover, wooden products within a room have been shown to improve indoor air quality by moderating humidity.
“Time equals cost savings,” architect Michael Green told the Journal. “Savings to finance the project over time, savings to manage construction over time, and a faster ability to occupy the building.”