How many CLT panels do I need to build?

To design a building, you’ll need to consider what materials you’ll use and how much you’ll need on site. Well, CLT panels are generally produced in a standardized shape and the sizes are restricted by the ability to be transported.

CLT panels are typically 16 to 20 meters long and approximately 13 meters high. It’s important to consider these limitations when designing any type of construction project.

In which directions does a CLT panel work?

For more specifics, you can refer to another of our articles dedicated to the characteristics of wood in construction: Understanding Wood and its Structure. For now, we’ll give you a brief explanation of how CLT works.

The production of CLT panels focuses on producing a product capable of supporting stresses in horizontal and vertical directions, following the logic of tree growth and stress support.

Timber has different mechanical behavior depending on the direction in which it’s used. Considering that its longitudinal direction has greater resistance, for its fabrication, CLT panels are made of boards joined perpendicularly, to take advantage of the resistant advantages of wood in its longitudinal direction in both directions.

Can CLT be used in the facade of a building?

Leaving the CLT exposed depends on the type of panels used in the project. There are several types of quality used for different requirements.

• Unseen Quality: Used as support material, but coated with other materials such as plaster. Aesthetic defects may be present but the structural strength is not affected.
• Industrial Quality: Has an intermediate quality with less aesthetic defects; usually used in places such as ceilings or high areas.
• Exposed Quality: Intended for use on the facade of homes, and buildings in general, with better aesthetic finishing; usually more expensive than the others.

How to design with consideration of a fire risk?

The truth is that building with wood doesn’t make a building more prone to fire; on the contrary, it’s proven that CLT panels can be more resistant to fire than untreated steel. When exposed to fire, the outer layer becomes insulating carbon with a duration of 30 to 120 minutes. This functions as a protective barrier for the rest of the wood, maintaining its mechanical properties and withstanding the stresses to which the structure is subjected.

Is it more efficient for construction times?

The answer is: absolutely. Because CLT panels are prefabricated, they have the advantage of being made to assemble. It’s important to take into consideration the material production and assembly times to get an idea of how long the work will take. So far, it has been shown to be possible to erect a CLT building at a rate of one floor per day – much faster than concrete and steel structures. It's important to anticipate and plan accurately in order to build efficiently.

 

We hope you can get a better idea of how to design for CLT in the future, to build increasingly sustainable cities.