Grant: Research Networks

The vision of the proposed NEWBuildS research network is to increase the use of wood in mid-rise and non-residential buildings in Canada and other markets. Although the wood industry is already a mainstay of the Canadian economy, revenues are too narrowly based on products for construction of low-rise residential buildings. Accelerating worldwide urbanization of populations requires construction of mid-rise buildings ininner cities and provides great opportunity for broadening the markets for wood products. Relative to other materials, wood products have many advantages for mid-rise urban construction. These include reduced construction time; lighter weight, which minimises cost on foundation; and being a 'green' carbon-neutral, low production energy option. Expansion into mid-rise and non-residential building market is viewed by the woodindustry and construction professionals as the best means of maintaining the dominant position of two of the nation's crucial industries and of developing export opportunities. Recent changes to building codes focus on presenting expected performance levels in buildings, instead of laying down prescriptive rules for how buildings are built. This gives designers more opportunity to apply advanced design and construction conceptsand methods, and to use materials differently. Advantages of this are illustrated by, for example, the construction of a modern 6-storey wood frame building in Canada during 2009. The proposed research network will create advanced technologies and technical tools that accelerate further developments in wood products and construction industries. NEWBuildS will investigate the use of traditional light-weight wood frame methods in mid-rise construction for residential, as well as heavier systems built with timber products and innovative approaches that combine wood with other materials to create hybrid systems. Around 40 Canadian researchers with expertise in architectural, structural, fire, serviceability, acoustic, and durability aspects of building design and performance will conduct leading research, to provide solutions that meet the needs of society, sustain key industries and train high level experts of tomorrow.