Innovative methods of design for the next generation of wood-based tall buildings

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Authorities in many countries around the world are imposing strict guidelines regarding infrastructure energy saving and sustainability, as well as land-use restrictions to cope with the rapid densification of urban areas. Currently, builders and designers are facing challenges in finding modifiable solutions for new buildings that allow their quick and simple construction, as well as reducing the emitted carbon dioxide and lowering the energy consumed during the building's lifetime. Recent progress in wood construction, with the introduction of new products, connections and design approaches, which also allow for very efficient seismic-resistant structures, has driven wood to be the carbon-neutral structural material of choice for mid- and high-rise buildings. To provide engineers with greater options to satisfy strict requirements of performance-based codes in case of fire, earthquakes or for acoustic and vibration serviceability, hybrid structural solutions, in which wood is combined with concrete and steel, are commonly used, as in the 18-story Brock Commons Tall Wood Building in Vancouver, completed in 2017. With the desire to develop hybrid quick-assembly structures, this research program aims to combine wood with steel in forming cost-effective innovative methods of construction for the next generation of wood-based tall buildings. In particular, research efforts will be devoted towards finding novel wood-steel building components that enable their large-scale production. Shapes, dimensions, and arrangement of the steel elements and wood panels will be defined to meet performance-objective at the system and structural level, assembly requirements on-site and during the manufacturing process utilizing CNC machines and robots, as well as to facilitate their transportation and storage in containers. The state-of-the-art computational design software and tools will be used to assist in managing this multi-physic large-scale problem. The design optimization procedure will deliver highly prefabricated modular components that are easy to install on-site, make the most of composite action between wood and steel, and foster the sustainability goal by reducing raw materials used and waste production. Both the numerical simulation of the components and building will be executed using finite-element models calibrated using data from experimental tests performed during the research program. This research is of strategic importance for Canada to develop green building solutions to urban areas. The findings are expected to significantly contribute both scientifically and technically to the current and future building sector, allowing for training in contemporary research topics that will have strong practical applications. The knowledge transfer will help manufacturers and companies working in the construction industry to be competitive in the related market.