Viability of cross-laminated timber from UK resources

Abstract

Cross-laminated timber is an innovative engineered timber product that can be used for almost all superstructure elements. It is typically produced from kiln-dried, fast-growing softwood timber. Currently there is no commercial production in the UK and hence the majority of cross-laminated timber used within the UK construction industry is manufactured in central mainland Europe and imported. This paper presents the key factors required for implementing a cross-laminated timber production and construction capability using available UK timber resource, thus offering a sustainable alternative to multi-storey steel and concrete construction. Further to this the structural performance of a cross-laminated timber product manufactured using a home-grown resource is compared with the current product imported from Europe. A series of standard design scenarios for multi-storey residential and education buildings in the UK have been considered and the structural design criteria reviewed for both products.