Archive of IJHRB


Archive of IJHRB


Vol. - No. Vol.9 - No.3
Date Sep., 2020
Title Pushing the Boundaries of Mass Timber Construction and Building Codes
Author Jean-Marc Dubois, Julie Frappier, Simon Gallagher, and Nordic Structures
Institutions Simon Gallagher, P. Eng., M. Sc. A. Team LeaderNordic Structures Montreal (Quebec) Canada
Abstract The 2020 National Building Code of Canada (NBC) and the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) both include Tall Wood Buildings (TWB) and are hailed as documents responsible for the proliferation of Mass Timber construction. Mass Timber construction is critical to reducing the carbon footprint of the construction industry; a sector acknowledged as being one of the greatest contributors of global annual CO2 emissions. Origine, a 13-storey multi-residential building erected in 2017 in a previously unsuitable site, is currently the tallest all-wood building in North America. This article describes the challenges overcome by the designers and client as they engaged with code officials, building authorities, and fire-service representatives to demonstrate the life-safety performance of this innovative building. It also traces the development of the "Guide for Mass Timber Buildings of up to 12 Storeys" published in Quebec and how it has enabled other significant Tall Wood projects across North America.
Keyword Construction, Mass Timber, Low Carbon
PP. PP.261~271
Paper File Files(6877 kb) View

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