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Knowledge Base
Designed for both industry experts and newcomers across the supply chain, Mass Timber Planning is a platform and knowledge base that addresses mass timber’s implementation, delivery methods, and best practices.
Dedicated to helping developers, engineers, installers, manufacturers, and more, we help you discover the growing power of mass timber’s functionality, cost-efficiency, and sustainability.
Sharing Value
We help shape an unparalleled learning environment that is informed by industry experts. Browse through our key posts to stay up-to-date on trends and broaden your knowledge base.
Image c/o: StructureCraft
Advice
Understand all aspects of the process, starting with the design, detailed design, and the fabrication model, all the way through to installation. If there are any parts not fully understood or covered by you or your team, hire expertise to fill the gaps as early as possible.
Advice
Mass timber helps address client’s sustainability targets.
Advice
Cost premiums with mass timber are offset by the more rapid construction process with pre-fabricated construction.
Advice
The timing of contractor engagement impacts the ability to get construction input on structural assembly sequence & detailing.
Advice
Use hybrid structural systems (timber/steel/concrete) to optimize for the best properties of each.
Advice
A bracing plan is important, and has a large effect on installation. Establish a bracing plan early and integrate it into the connection details. A good bracing plan allows the connections to assist with temporary stability and requires over-designing, but saves time, money, headaches, and patching.
Branching Out
Looking for inspiration? Filter your search by the various Roles and Phases to see what industry experts have to say about Mass Timber.
Image c/o: KK Law
Advice
Example of a mainly successful project: Brock Commons — involved a high degree of collaboration: Integrated Design Process — design offered 3-4 options for every connection, which every stakeholder vetted — invested in building a mock-up, where many problems were solved in advance of construction — the design worked with standard panel sizes
Quote
“Horizontal sprinkler pipes could be made from combustible materials as permitted by the Code for fire resistive construction”
Advice
Tolerances are different for each different trade. Mitigate potential problems with communication in the procurement phase.
Image c/o: StructureCraft
Advice
Bonding is an issue for smaller companies, putting smaller or new companies at a disadvantage. For example, a small company has a smaller revenue stream and cannot afford to tie up all of their cash flow for one project. Installers are disqualified from bidding if they cannot get bonding.
Advice
General advice to those new to mass timber construction: “The devil is in the details”. For example, an experienced installer knows what a problematic connection looks like.
Advice
Hire an installer before hiring a manufacturer.
Advice
Mass timber construction is still in the experimental phase. Standardization will happen eventually.
Image c/o: StructureCraft
Advice
For an installer, Design Bid Build is the easiest to bid on, as the design is frozen. Design Build is much muddier, as not all aspects of the design are frozen.
Advice
The installer should be thought of as a consultant and a vital team member. For example, when installers are brought to the table at the design phase and give input into connection details, constructibility improves. However, when the installer is brought on too late, other consultants have already spent the money, and no one wants to add to the cost. The resulting problems need to be solved on site by the installer, adding time and cost.
Advice
Do not ignore the advice of someone who has experience.
Advice
The installer should be talking to consultants. Do not rely on the manufacturer to know the details for installation.
Image c/o: StructureCraft
Advice
Tracking every single detail is recommended (supplied by, installed by, etc… including every party). Every detail should be called out on the bid.
Advice
Project teams should share BIM models as part of standard procedure, but be aware that BIM models can rarely be used for fabrication. The manufacturer still needs to produce their own models, often from scratch.
Advice
Engage mass timber supplier in DfMA system up front to ensure supplier milestones are met, and milestones and deliverables are agreed upon.
