Wood R&D Supports a Compelling Case
Going Vertical with Wood
Wood R&D Supports a Compelling Case
Developments and advancements in engineered wood products and treatments such as termite resistance and fire retardation have opened up more options for incorporating wood into the built environment. "In key areas – acoustics, thermal performance and strength – wood is capable of not just fulfilling a wide range of technical specifications, but also providing solutions for both form and function that is not easily matched by other materials," Dagang said. Wood also has a high strength-to-weight ratio. For the same strength required for a given structure, the weight of the wood material to be used can be as much as 16 times less than steel or five times less than concrete. This is also the reason why Glulam (or glued-laminated wood) is often specified for large-span areas, enabling innovative pillar-less construction, including curved dimensions for public projects like indoor stadiums and hospitals.
Glulam is a highly engineered product that is flexible, stronger but lighter than steel, fire resistant and, most importantly, ecologically sustainable. In Southeast Asia, MTC has been an advocate and promoter of Glulam since 2005 and strongly believes that this engineered product has a huge potential to create an exciting growth in the Malaysian timber and construction industry. Glulam has been used to create vehicular bridges, public pavilions, large span building, and Olympic stadiums, fulfilling even the most demanding design, engineering and safety requirements. In promoting the use of more wood as part of eco-friendly construction practices, MTC has been spearheading efforts to introduce Glulam in Malaysia by encouraging collaborations between the private and public sectors, like the Malaysian Public Works Department.
In the last century alone, wood has repeatedly risen to ever-higher design and engineering expectations in ways that no other material has. Major wood-based projects in Europe such as the Metropol Parasol (Spain), the Cutty Sark Pavilion (UK), the Sheffield Winter Garden (UK), the Centre Pompidou (France) and the Hannover Convention Centre (Germany) invigorate the imagination with their creative contours that not only turn heads, but also challenge the public's preconceived ideas and values about wood and invite both converts and skeptics alike to really open their hearts and minds to its infinite possibilities in enhancing man's spatial and built-form experience.
Wood engineering research thus far has proven tall wooden buildings can be lightweight, efficient structures with the potential to respond dynamically to turbulent wind load. For example, the nine-story 'Stadthaus Apartments' in London exclusively used Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) walls with a two-hour fire rating. It is the first of its kind and height with its load-bearing walls, floor slabs, as well as stair and lift cores made entirely of wood. The tower houses 29 apartments. CLT's technical strength is similar to pre-cast concrete, but the advantages of wood lie in its lighter weight, thermal properties and a production process that is a lot less CO2-emitting compared to concrete and steel. In short, CLT is a durable, strong, versatile and sustainable alternative to conventional structural materials. In August 2013, the Stadthaus was overtaken in Australia by Melbourne's 'The Forté', now officially the world's tallest residential building built in wood. 'The Forté', sited in Victoria Harbour in Melbourne, houses 23 boutique apartments. Its frame was built using CLT, while the walls, floors and ceiling were all made of solid wood. CLT proves that wood, with its high strength-to-weight ratio, is strong and yet light enough for safe vertical construction. It is also natural and provides a warmer living experience that is appreciated by many.
Tropical Forest Foundation — transparent. sustainable. verified.
The Tropical Forest Foundation advances environmental stewardship, economic prosperity, and social responsibility through sustainable forest management. Learn more and become a member at www.TropicalForestFoundation.org.
Frequently asked questions
How does wood's strength-to-weight ratio compare to steel and concrete?+
Wood has a high strength-to-weight ratio. For the same strength required in a structure, the weight of wood used can be up to 16 times less than steel and five times less than concrete.
What is Glulam and why is it used for large-span construction?+
Glulam (glued-laminated wood) is a highly engineered product that is flexible, stronger but lighter than steel, fire resistant, and ecologically sustainable. It is often specified for large-span areas, enabling pillar-less construction with curved dimensions for projects like indoor stadiums, hospitals, vehicular bridges, public pavilions, and Olympic stadiums.
How has MTC promoted Glulam in Malaysia?+
The Malaysian Timber Council (MTC) has advocated and promoted Glulam in Southeast Asia since 2005, encouraging collaborations between private and public sectors, including the Malaysian Public Works Department, to introduce Glulam as part of eco-friendly construction practices.
What is the Stadthaus Apartments building and why is it significant?+
The Stadthaus is a nine-story apartment building in London that exclusively used Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) walls with a two-hour fire rating. It was the first of its kind and height, with load-bearing walls, floor slabs, stair and lift cores made entirely of wood, housing 29 apartments.
What is the world's tallest residential building built in wood?+
As of August 2013, 'The Forté' in Melbourne's Victoria Harbour became the world's tallest residential building built in wood, surpassing the Stadthaus. It houses 23 boutique apartments, with a CLT frame and walls, floors, and ceilings made of solid wood.
How does CLT compare to pre-cast concrete in construction?+
CLT's technical strength is similar to pre-cast concrete, but wood offers advantages in lighter weight, better thermal properties, and a production process that emits far less CO2 than concrete and steel. This makes CLT a durable, strong, versatile, and sustainable alternative to conventional structural materials.