Grant: Alliance Grants

Rapid growth of urban populations and associated environmental concerns created an opportunity for city planners and developers to consider sustainable building systems. A decision on the selection of the masstimber building, by different stakeholders, should consider economics, aesthetics, technology, regulations andpolitical factors. The political factors are indeed satisfied as the Canadian timber industry and NaturalResources Canada are backing design and construction of tall-timber buildings. One such initiative in BritishColumbia (BC) is Forrest Innovation Investment (FII) Wood First - 3 Year Strategy.? Canadian engineers anddesigners are at the forefront and are pushing the limit of tall-timber design. The 2019 CSA 086 and 2020 NBCincreased the height of cross-laminated timber (CLT) to 12 storeys.? With increase in building height, however,timber being lighter material, is subject to lateral loads from wind and earthquake (the focus of this proposal).Thus, there is an opportunity to propose an innovative building system and design principles.In line with the "Wood First Initiative" program of the government of BC, in the current proposal, it isenvisioned to develop a comprehensive design guideline for mid- to tall-mass-timber buildings (6-20 storeys).It is believed that the availability of design guideline would enhance the confidence of architects, structuralengineers, owners and contractors towards tall mass-timber buildings. Outcome of the proposed researchwould increase the volume of wood in buildings, which will support the forestry business in Canada.