Projects
New Projects
Development of A Generalized Vibration Serviceability Design Framework for Mass Timber Floor Systems
Chenyue Guo (PhD student)
Collaborator:
Development of A Generalized Vibration Serviceability Design Framework for Mass Timber Floor Systems
Chenyue Guo (PhD student)
Collaborator:
Background:
Mass timber floors are prone to human-induced vibration, floor vibration is an important part of serviceability design.
The current-used floor vibration design methods are mostly developed from light-framed timber or concrete and steel floors, their applicability to mass timber floors needs to be examined.
Expected Outcome
Establish a large database of mass timber floors' vibration performance and dynamic properties from laboratory tests and field tests.
Develop analytical and numerical models for predicting floor vibration parameters.
Identify mass timber floors' vibration performance indicators, and develop specific criteria for designing and evaluating their vibration performance.
Responses of tall mass timber buildings to wind excitation
Wuyi Sun (PhD student)
Collaborator:
Development of A Generalized Vibration Serviceability Design Framework for Mass Timber Floor Systems
Chenyue Guo (PhD student)
Collaborator:
Background:
Obtain the wind data from wind-tunnel tests.
To accommodate the design requirements, consider different-degree nonlinear-plastic responses by combining structural characteristics with wind load characteristics.
Expected Outcome
Obtain the wind data from wind-tunnel tests.
To accommodate the design requirements, consider different-degree nonlinear-plastic responses by combining structural characteristics with wind load characteristics.
Reliability-Based Design of Timber-Concrete Composite (TCC) floors
Yue Li (PhD student)
Collaborator:
Background:
CSA O86 proposed a limit-state-based design procedure of TCC floors
No reliability analysis on TCC floors
Expected Outcome
To evaluate the reliability levels of TCC floors designed using the approach with those resistance factors proposed in CSA O86
To evaluate the proper resistance factors if the reliability levels designed using CSA O86 method are not appropriate
Stiffness of Timber Connections
Tao Gui (PhD student)
Collaborator:
Background:
Serviceability performance requirements, such as deflection and vibration, are dependent on the stiffness of the connection.
Stiffness and ductility are critical for designers designing for high wind loads and earthquakes.
Inclined fasteners have complex behavior due to the combined lateral and withdrawal action.
Expected Outcome
Summary and comparison of existing formulas for stiffness of timber connections.
Effect of various parameters on stiffness of dowel fasteners
Models to predict stiffness of different fasteners
AI-generative Design for Light Wood Frame Buildings
Qibin Hu (PhD student)
Collaborator:
Background:
Compared with the traditional light wood structure design method, designers need to refer to design standards repeatedly and inefficiently.
This research intends to designate a new design scheme.
Designers and even users themselves can easily select and control design parameters , and then automatically get the visual design results
Expected Outcome
Improve the overall prefabrication and assembly level of light wood residential structure
Improve the economic efficiency of builders and the cost-competitiveness of light wood structure residence
Promote the process of light wood structure residential informatization
Identify similar prefabricated houses
Hao Xie (PhD student)
Collaborator: ACQBUILT
Background:
Many timber houses are similar and contain nearly the same design process.
When designing a new timber house, it will save time if an engineer can identify a similar existing house and make modifications instead of completing the whole process.
Expected Outcome
This project aims to provide a method for finding similar houses in the database.
Compare the similar houses and highlight the differences
Optimization of Mass Timber Building Components and Connections
Samia Zakir Sarothi (M.Sc. student)
Collaborator:
Background:
This project focuses on providing the optimum design of mass timber building components (grid arrangement, floor, beam and column) and beam-column connections.
The optimization will be based on material cost, utilization and construction feasibility.
For the optimization of building components, reinforcement learning (RL) is employed. Later generative design technique will be incorporated with this RL model to figure out the optimum connection design
Expected Outcome
This research will produce a model for mass timber building components and connection optimization.
This model will aid the designer’s community in obtaining cost-effective solutions for mass timber building projects.
This will also improve building utilization.
Performance of axially loaded self-tapping screw in mass timber subjected to moisture content change
Sara Keypoursangsari (MSc Student)
Collaborator: FPInnovations, MTC Solutions
Background:
Self-tapping screws (STS) are widely used in timber construction, and their performance is affected by several parameters, including moisture content.
Moisture content can cause swelling in timber members, which may result in premature failure of STS connections.
Expected Outcome
Analysis of stress distribution in fully threaded and partially threaded STS for wood-to-wood and steel-to-wood connections subjected to different initial axial load and moisture content changes.
Analyze the failure possibility of STS with different penetration lengths.
Long-term Deformations in Timber-concrete Composite Systems
Shadi Esmaeildoust (MSc Student)
Collaborator: Western Archrib, Rothoblaas
Background:
A timber-concrete composite (TCC) system consists of a timber (or mass timber) element (or web) with a concrete slab (or flange) above and a shear connection at the interface.
This system takes advantage of the compressive strength of concrete and the tensile strength and light weight of timber.
According to the modern design codes, both ultimate and serviceability limit states have to be satisfied in the design of TCC systems. Despite the importance of the long-term behaviour of this system, there is still a lack of research in this area.
Expected Outcome
Experimental creep-time curves of TCC systems connected with self-tapping screws with different orientations
Creep coefficient of TCC systems with different connection configurations
Analytical model to fit the creep-time curves and predict joint creep values for a longer time period (10 to 50 years)
Application of CLT Panels for Basement Walls
Milan Marojevic (MSc Student)
Collaborator: Landmark Group, InnoTech Alberta
Background:
Analysis of the structural, thermal, and moisture management properties of CLT panels for basement walls
Comparison of CLT panels with traditional basement wall materials such as concrete
Discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of using CLT panels for basement walls
Expected Outcome
Evaluation of the structural performance of CLT panels in basement walls, including comparisons with traditional materials
Assessment of the thermal and moisture management properties of CLT panels in basement walls, including their effects on energy efficiency and indoor air quality
Prefabricated Retrofitting Wood Wall Panel
Aisha Elgarhy (MSc Student)
Collaborator: RoBIM Technologies Inc.
Background:
The project aims to develop a prefabricated retrofitting wood wall panel that can be easily installed on existing buildings.
Prefabrication allows for more efficient and cost-effective construction, reducing waste and minimizing on-site disruption.
The retrofitting wood wall panel will be designed to improve the building's insulation and energy efficiency, while also providing aesthetic and acoustic benefits.
Expected Outcome
Identification of the appropriate type of connections required for the installation of the prefabricated retrofitting wood wall panel.
Design optimization of the wood wall panel for improved insulation and energy efficiency, as well as aesthetic and acoustic benefits.
Development of a detailed installation guidance for the installation of the wood wall panel, including recommendations for installation techniques and tools required.
Testing and evaluation of the performance of the wood wall panel in real-world applications to ensure its durability and effectiveness.
Ongoing Projects
Group Effect in Multi-fastener Self-tapping Screw Connections
Thomas Joyce (Ph.D. Candidate)
Collaborators: Rothoblaas, MTC Solutions, Western Archrib, University of New Brunswick
Objectives
To develop group effect factor for multi-fastenered connections based on structural reliability principles
Methodology
Testing on single and multi-fastenered connections under withdrawal force
Develop a model to evaluate load distribution in multi-fastenered connections
Reliability analysis to develop group action factor and resistance factor for self-tapping screw connections
Use of Mass Timber Panel in Basement Construction
Fernanda Imamura (PhD Candidate)
Collaborator : Landmark Group, InnoTech Alberta
Background
CLT and NLT can be viable alternatives to concrete in basement construction, similar to PWF
Benefits of mass timber vs PWF: stronger & stiffer system, thermal mass, prefabrication potential
Structural analysis, hygrothermal analysis and moisture protection system development ➡︎ Field Trial
Expected Outcome
Pre-engineered CLT and NLT basement wall design
Envelope details including thermal and moisture barrier, and soil drainage requirements
Development of Panelized Roof in Light Wood Frame Buildings
Md Saiful Islam (Ph.D. Candidate)
Collaborator: ACQBUILT
Background
Wood frame offsite home construction is partially panelized because of use of triangulated roof trusses
Panelized roof system is of interest to maximize in-house production capacity, improve construction efficiency and reduce cost
Review of potential systems, numerical modelling and development of panel details ➨ Implementation
Expected Outcome
Panelized roof system
Manufacturing and construction sequence, and design procedure
Stress Distribution in CLT under Edge Compression
Hossein Farboodi (MSc Student)
Collaborator: IRC partners
Background
Stress distribution in CLT under edge (e.g. point load on CLT wall, bearing of CLT beam) is complex due to cross lamination
Better understanding of stress distribution will allow more realistic design specifications to be developed
Numerical modelling and testing
Expected Outcome
Design specifications for CLT under bearing
Mass Timber Panel (CLT) Diaphragm
Mahboobeh Fakhrzarei (MSc Student)
Collaborator: MTC Solutions, FPInnovations
Background
Analysis procedure for mass timber panel (e.g. CLT) diaphragm that calculates connection forces and deflection is not yet standardized for design use
Review of proposed approaches and numerical modelling
Expected Outcome
Design procedure to calculate connection forces and deflection based on connection and panel stiffness
Performance of Mid-ply Shear Wall with Openings
Zonglin Zhao (MSc Student)
Collaborator: FPInnovations, APA
Background
Interest in ’strong’ shear wall due to mid-rise, larger opening, open-space, e.g. mid-ply
Contribution of segments around openings in mid-ply shear wall is desirable
Shear walls and numerical modelling
Expected Outcome
Framing details around openings in mid-ply walls to minimize its impact on the strength and stiffness of the wall
Design approach for perforated mid-ply shear walls
Completed Projects
Resilient Hybrid Steel-Timber Structural Systems for Seismic Applications
Ahmed Mowafy (Ph.D. Candidate)
Collaborators: MTC Solutions, UoA Steel Centre
Background
Combining mass timber system for gravity load with a SFRS (braced steel frame) that is recognized in NBCC
Connection that allows timber system ‘to go with the motion’ while providing lateral stiffness is required
Conventional braced steel frame and self-centering braced steel frame
Numerical modelling and connection test
Expected Outcome
Innovative connection details to ‘isolate’ the gravity system from SFRS
Guidelines for design of steel-timber hybrid structural system and structural fuse
Mass timber panel-concrete composite floors connected with Mechanical Connectors
Md Abdul Hamid Mirdad, Ph.D. (Post-Doctoral Fellow)
Collaborators: Western Archrib, Rothoblaas, Nordic Structures
Background
Mass timber panel-concrete (MTPC) composite systems have higher strength and stiffness to weight ratios, in-plane rigidity, and superior thermal and fire performances compared to timber only systems
Self-Tapping Screw (STS) has growing popularity in timber construction, but the STS performance in an inclined position in the MTPC composite was not well investigated
Insulation is necessary for better acoustics and vibration performance of the floors, but the influence of the insulation layer influence on MTPC composite connection and system was not well studied
Finally, there is a lack of design standards & guidelines for designing mechanical connections and MTPC composite systems
Outcomes
Higher-strength and stiffness of 30° angled screws compared to 45° angled screws in timber-concrete joints
Screw spacings can mitigate the reduction in capacity and stiffness of the composite system due to the presence of an insulation layer
Direct connection strength and stiffness predictions from developed connection models based on material property parameters
Capacity, effective bending stiffness, failure modes, and load-deflection response predictions of the system based on a developed progressive yielding method
Sustainability design considerations based on developed span-table for various occupancy requirements
Design Guidelines for MTPC composite floor systems with mechanical connectors
Mass timber panel-concrete composite floors connected with notches
Lei Zhang (Post-Doctoral Fellow)
Collaborators: Western Archrib, Rothoblaas, University of Northern British Columbia
Background
Notched connections have high stiffness and strength, and can be more cost-effective than most of the dowel type fasteners
Notched connections can fail in timber or concrete in either brittle or ductile manners
There are not enough guidelines about the notched connection design in the composite floors
Methodology
Experimental study on notched connections and composite timber-concrete composite floors
Analytical evaluation on the composite floors connected with discrete and flexible connections
Numerical analysis to verify analytical models and provide insights that test investigation cannot observe
Expected Outcome
A composite beam model that considers the discrete and flexible features of the connections
Design guidelines for mass timber panel-concrete composite floors with notches
Performance of Self-tapping Screw due to Moisture Variation in Mass Timber Products
Mehsam Khan (MSc)
Collaborator: FPInnovations, MTC Solutions, StructureCraft
Objective
To investigate the premature failure of self-tapping screws caused by moisture content fluctuation in wood members
Methodology
Experimental measurement of swelling properties of glulam and CLT, screw tensile strength, withdrawal strength and stiffness at different moisture levels, and connection behaviour during moisture content change of wood
Development of a model to predict tensile stress in screw due to moisture content change in wood
Seismic Performance of Braced Timber Frame with Perforated Steel Plate Connection
Hossein Daneshvar (Research Associate), John Spencer (MSc)
Collaborator: FPInnovations, Fast+Epp, University of Northern British Columbia
Expected Outcome
Introduce perforated plate end brace connections as an appropriate candidate to approach moderately ductile braced frame
Contribute to the next revision of CSA O86: developing a design guideline for designing a moderately ductile braced frame
Determine the Rd factor for timber braced frames and propose other global seismic performance factors
Provide guidance on different system limitations such as building height and the aspect ratios
Effects of Support Conditions on Vibration Performance of Mass Timber Floors
Ning Kang (MSc)
Collaborator: IRC partners
Background
Current CLT floor vibration design method assumes single-span, simply support system
Effects of end support restraint, multi-span and beam support conditions need to be accounted for in design
Development of analytical solutions and lab tests
Expected Outcome
Models to predict frequency and deflection, that account for end support restraint, multiple span and beam support
Procedure to calculate end support restraint coefficient due to wall loading at the ends
Structural Performance of Shear Walls Built with Hybrid CLT
Lin Zheng (MSc)
Collaborator: InnoTech Alberta, Tolko Industries
Background
Mass timber panel fabricated with SCL and lumber (hybrid CLT) can address some of the weaknesses of CLT (e.g. rolling shear and low bending stiffness)
Hybrid CLT is recognized in PRG 320, but structural design specifications are not available
Connection and shear wall tests (panels made by InnoTech Alberta) need to be conducted
Expected Outcome
Hybrid CLT connection and shear wall to be treated the same as CLT