SoylentNews is people
SoylentNews
from the people-in-wood-skyscrapers-shouldn't-throw-woodpeckers dept.
Arthur T Knackerbracket has processed the following story:
A report by Knowable Magazine provides a rather insightful glimpse into the rise of mass timber and its benefits. The technique basically uses massive engineered wood elements instead of concrete and steel to build higher than ever before. As of 2024, mass timber buildings have climbed to almost unbelievable heights, with the 25-story Ascent tower in Milwaukee leading the pack.
The building is far from the only one in the category. The report states that there were 84 completed or under-construction mass timber buildings of eight stories or higher worldwide by 2022, with another 55 proposed. Europe dominates with 70% of these, but North America is catching up with around 20%.
As for what's driving this wooden renaissance, there are multiple reasons. For starters, mass timber could be an answer for reducing concrete and steel's massive carbon footprint, which alone makes up a whopping 15% of global emissions.
[...] But what about issues like raw strength and fire resistance, which have historically held wooden buildings back? Well, mass timber uses elements like cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels that can match steel's strength pound-for-pound, thanks to layering and high-pressure gluing techniques.
Modern mass timber also passes rigorous fire testing. In the event of a fire, a protective char layer forms on the wood's surface, insulating the interior from flames long enough for evacuation and firefighter response.
Likely taking these perks into account, a 2021 update to the International Building Code gave mass timber a huge vote of confidence, allowing such constructions up to 18 stories in many places.
Of course, moisture poses risks that need careful management to prevent fungus and pests. But proponents are confident mass timber can be a sustainable solution if done right.
(Score: 3, Informative) by VLM on Wednesday October 23, @12:13PM (2 children)
How about for the same structural rigidity?
A wood building that carries the same weight as a steel building will sway more, I think. I would have to check that out to be certain.
Regardless of which is more floppy, there are a lot of finishes in buildings that might not be possible to rigidly attach to the wood structure due to sway and thermal expansion being different from steel. Imagine windows in the facade cracking in the winter when humidity is low and the wood shrinks.
(Score: 4, Informative) by khallow on Wednesday October 23, @12:25PM
Rigidity typically goes up as the fourth power of thickness - at least till it nears breaking point. That alleged higher volume will translate into thicker structural members.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday October 24, @03:25AM
> Imagine windows in the facade cracking in the winter when humidity is low and the wood shrinks.
No need to imagine, just look to IM Pei's John Hancock Tower: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hancock_Tower#Engineering_flaws [wikipedia.org]
This was no joke, I was in Boston at the time and someone at my uni grabbed a piece of the blue glass and posted it on a cork board with thumbtacks. I guess as a reminder to listen to your engineers.