Building with wood in 21st century: Contemporary building wood products

Abstract

Sustainable design, alongside environmental awareness, is increasingly becoming a requirement for building construction. Since the construction industry represents one of the biggest sectorial emitters of greenhouse gases, causing anthropogenic climate change, application of sustainable and/or natural materials for buildings is advisable as a significant mitigation measure. In comparison to traditional energy-intensive construction materials, such as steel and concrete, wood-based materials consume less energy and emit fewer greenhouse gasses and pollutants over their life cycle. Building with timber has multiple advantages when environment is concerned: regionally available resource, renewability, smaller carbon footprint, lighter structures, prefabrication, faster erection on site, recycling possibilities etc. Considering the aforementioned, it is very important to spur innovation, research and development of wood as a construction material. Increased interest in green buildings has influenced an increase in use of wood materials and more developments in the wood products sector. Major emerging products from the timber industries include GLULAM, NLT, DLT, massive veneer panels and CLT, with CLT being the one studied the most. Introduction of CLT, with its structural capability and improved properties, provided the necessary stiffness and made it feasible to use wood in construction of mid-rise and tall buildings (>10 storeys), industrial structures, and bridges. Since the world’s population is increasing and urban areas are growing denser, there is a constant need for high-rise buildings, and taking into account that environmental awareness requires the use of eco-friendly materials, design and construction of high-rise wooden buildings inevitably becomes a necessity for the modern age.