Cost-Effectiveness of Mass Timber Beam–Column Gravity Systems
Publication: Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 27, Issue 3
Abstract
The cost of mass timber buildings is a major point of interest to building developers and architects because it often dictates the fate of proposed mass timber projects. Cost estimation for mass timber construction has several unique aspects that differ from those of steel, concrete, and light-framed wood buildings. With the new building categories (Types IV-A, B, and C) introduced in 2021, it is important to look at cost implications of both the new and existing types (III-A and -B and IV-HT) and cost sensitivity to key design features. An automated design and cost estimation algorithm for mass timber gravity systems was developed. The algorithm includes an automated member selection and design procedure that implements strength and serviceability checks. Fire rating and design requirements were included. The final cost calculation includes material costs of wood, connection hardware, fire protection, and an estimation of installation cost. The details of the proposed algorithm are presented in this paper, together with scenario analyses on archetype design using different mass timber categories.
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Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the financial support of this study from the US Endowment of Forestry and Communities and National Science Foundation through grant CMMI 1636164. The opinion and results from this study are solely of the authors and do not represent the opinion of the sponsor. The authors also thank anonymous timber product suppliers for their willingness to share cost information and Shawn Brannon of Adolfson & Peterson Construction for providing an estimation of gypsum cost.
References
ANSI/AWC (American National Standards Institute/American Wood Council). 2018. National design specification for wood construction. NDS. Leesburg, VA: ANSI/AWC.
APA—The Engineered Wood Association. 2018. Standard for performance-rated cross-laminated timber. ANSI/APA PRG 320. Tacoma, WA: APA—The Engineered Wood Association.
Breneman, S., M. Timmers, and D. Richardson. 2021. “Tall wood buildings in the IBC up to 18 stories of mass timber,” WoodWorks. Accessed September 19, 2019. https://www.woodworks.org/wp-content/uploads/wood_solution_paper-TALL-WOOD.pdf.
ICC (International Code Council). 2018a. International building code (IBC). Washington, DC: ICC.
ICC (International Code Council). 2018b. Code council ad hoc committee on tall wood buildings. G108-18. Washington, DC: ICC.
Zelinka, S. L., L. Hasburgh, K. J. Bourne, D. R. Tucholski, and J. P. Ouellette. 2018. “Compartment fire testing of a two-story mass timber building.” FPL-GTR-247. United States Dept. of Agriculture Forest Products Laboratory. Accessed September 19, 2019. http://media.iccsafe.org/code-development/final-report-fpl.pdf.
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Published In
Journal of Architectural Engineering
Volume 27 • Issue 3 • September 2021
Copyright
© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 23, 2020
Accepted: Jun 7, 2021
Published online: Jul 13, 2021
Published in print: Sep 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Dec 13, 2021
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Cited by
- Marcelo González-Retamal, Eric Forcael, Gerardo Saelzer-Fuica, Mauricio Vargas-Mosqueda, From Trees to Skyscrapers: Holistic Review of the Advances and Limitations of Multi-Storey Timber Buildings, Buildings, 10.3390/buildings12081263, 12, 8, (1263), (2022).
- Rachel Chaggaris, Shiling Pei, Greg Kingsley, Alexis Feitel, Carbon Impact and Cost of Mass Timber Beam–Column Gravity Systems, Sustainability, 10.3390/su132312966, 13, 23, (12966), (2021).