Advice
Engineers should take care when copying and pasting details from one project to another. Some details cause a lot of installation problems (resulting in increased cost/time).
Focus in
Engineer
Phases
Advice
Sizing comments: 20’ x 30’ grid spacing is problematic for installation due to panel sizes, double or triple storey walls or columns present unique installation problems, even in terms of coordinating bracing with floor levels. It is difficult to keep 30’+ walls plumb.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.
Advice
Installers can offer creative solutions, ideally at the design stage. Projects will proceed more smoothly if advice from experienced installers is not ignored.
Advice
Connection details dictate whether a CLT/mass timber project will actually go up quickly.
Advice
Early discussions should involve all parties: installer, manufacturer, architect, engineer, owner/developer. Design with the people who will build the project, from fabrication to installation.
Advice
Unless you control or understand the flow of material and information from “forest to frame”, you will have blind spots; you will be derailed by cost, schedule, quality, or all three. For…
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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
The challenge in getting people on the project team early is figuring out WHO to get in early.
Advice
Design Build offers much more freedom, and takes risk off of the owner.
Advice
Design Bid Build can often be too formal if everything runs through the contractor. It is simpler if, for example, the engineer can talk directly to the architect. A carefully worded RFI can be helpful.
Advice
For public projects, consider getting expert timber engineers to look at connections (Design Assist delivery model).
Advice
For private projects, and early fixed pricing, use a modified design build or design assist (= design build but with a formal tender). Spec loads, performance, preliminary sizing and connections, etc. and go out for a price at that point.
Advice
Contractors and owners need to understand lead times.
Advice
Design Bid Build projects seem to come in over budget, probably due to feedback not being received early enough.