College - Author 1
College of Architecture and Environmental Design
Department - Author 1
Construction Management Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Construction Management
Date
3-2025
Primary Advisor/Subject Matter Expert (SME)
Maryam Kouhirostami, College of Architecture and Environmental Design, Construction Management Department
Abstract/Summary
Mass Timber has emerged as an innovative structural alternative in the construction industry, based on its sustainability advantages and comparable level of performance to traditional materials such as steel and concrete. This engineered wood, including Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT), Glue-Laminated Timber (glulam), and Nail-Laminated Timber (NLT) is characterized by its ability to scale up for large format projects and lower environmental impacts. However, there are practical challenges that happen during the construction phase of mass timber projects. This research aims to explore specific challenges that contractors, architects, and structural designers have encountered during their past or current experiences working with mass timber. Through the qualitative analysis of the semi-structured interviews, a number of significant challenges were found: storing and protecting mass timber materials against moisture and UV damage, supply chain and procurement issues created, insufficient workforce readiness and training, and construction codes that are still developing. In the future, it is recommended that a survey which incapsulates the purpose of these interviews be shared to a wider population of industry professionals.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/cmsp/837
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