WIA_ISSUE2_2023

NEWS
CHINESE UNIVERSITY COMPLETES MODULAR
CLT STRUCTURE SHAKING TABLE TEST
According to Canada Wood China, Tongji
University’s College of Civil Engineering, led
by Prof Xiong Haibei, recently achieved a
milestone with the completion of the shaking
table test for a modular cross-laminated
timber (CLT) structure.
The shaking table test assesses the seismic
performance of structures. Prof Xiong’s team
introduced a structure system known as FaM
(Fire and Movement), which is a hybrid building
system that combines modular wood boxes
with a concrete frame-and-core structure.
This system allows for the incorporation of
modular units, which can be constructed
off-site using light wood frame, mass timber, or
glue-laminated timber (glulam) post and beam
structures, and placed on the concrete slab.
The main concrete structure serves as the
primary load-bearing element, supporting
the overall structural weight. It possesses
high stiffness in the vertical direction to carry
the load and exhibits seismic resistance in the
horizontal direction.
The substructure provides load-bearing
capacity and seismic resistance for the modular
units themselves. A unique feature of the FaM
system is the incorporation of a concrete floor
slab with a concrete core on every third floor.
This design ensures compliance with fire
protection requirements and enables safe
evacuation in high-rise wooden structures,
as claimed by Canada Wood China. By
implementing this approach, the FaM system
not only enhances fire safety but also
reduces the cost of fire protection in wooden
constructions.
The FaM system aims to provide a promising
solution for achieving efficient, sustainable,
and adaptable construction practices in various
architectural projects.
The team behind developing FaM (Image: Canada
Wood China)
Canada Wood China reported that the modular
CLT structure performed “exceptionally”
under the shaking table tests, especially
when combined with new energy dissipating
connectors. The modular CLT structures used
in the test were constructed using Canadian
lumber.
Under varying seismic loads with different
spectral characteristics, the system exceeded
the team’s preset goals. The successful test
showcased the structural integrity and stability
of the modular CLT design, highlighting
its potential for widespread adoption in
seismic-prone regions. WIA
METSÄ GROUP TO EXPAND KERTO
LVL PRODUCTION WITH NEW
MILL IN ÄÄNEKOSKI, FINLAND
Metsä Group has announced plans to build a
new Kerto laminated veneer lumber (LVL) mill in
Äänekoski, Finland, for the production of beam
and panel products used in the construction
industry.
The value of the investment is €300m, and the
mill is expected to begin production in late 2026.
The mill’s annual production capacity is
approximately 160,000m 3 , which represents a
50% increase in the company’s total Kerto LVL
capacity. Kerto LVL production primarily serves
the construction industry in the European market.
The new mill will use around 400,000m 3 of log
procured from Finland. It will be on the Äänekoski
integrated mill site, which harnesses synergies
such as energy production, logistics and mill
services.
The integrated mills can reportedly utilise 100%
of the side streams produced in the production
of Kerto LVL, producing the maximum possible
added value from the valuable raw material.
Furthermore, the new mill will have a direct
employment impact of around 150 new jobs.
It will also add some 200 person-years to its
direct value chain. The employment impact
of the construction phase is estimated to be
approximately 1,000 person-years.
Kerto LVL is a construction material which
combines material efficiency with the high added
value of wood. Its technical performance makes
it suitable for versatile construction uses such as
elements and modular construction.
“Most of the carbon footprint of construction
comes from the building materials. The
construction industry is now seeking more
sustainable alternatives, so we are seeing
growing interest in construction material based
on renewable raw materials,” said Jaakko Anttila,
executive vice-president, Metsä Wood.
“Thanks to its material efficiency, Kerto LVL is
a competitive and sustainable solution for the
increasing use of wood in construction.”
Metsä Group currently produces Kerto LVL
products in Lohja and Punkaharju in Finland. WIA
An illustration of Äänekoski Kerto LVL mill
(Image: Metsä Group)
8 WOOD IN ARCHITECTURE • ISSUE 2 – 2023