The present paper is the first to conceptually assess the viability of mass timber construction (MTC) as an alternative construction material/method in Australia. It fulfills an identified need to examine an innovative construction process providing much needed information concerning the technologies current position and future disruption to traditional construction methods. A common tool used in business management studies, the PESTEL model, Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental and Legal is employed to provide structure for a strategic analysis of the technology. Mass timber construction clearly demonstrates some advantages including cost savings, primarily in the reduction in on-site labour costs; a lower environmental impact and use of a renewable resource; and possibility of improved amenity and reduced running costs for owners and occupiers. The estimated market potential for MTC in Australia indicates that a local plant might be viable as the market grows, and warrants funding to underpin a full feasibility assessment.
Mass timber construction in Australia and New Zealand uses three main materials-laminated veneer lumber, glue laminated timber and cross-laminated timber (CLT). This article focuses on the use of mass timber in nonresidential construction-the use in single-family homes and apartments is not considered. In Australia and New Zealand, mass timber building technology has moved from being technologically possible to being a feasible alternative to reinforced concrete and steel construction. It has not taken over a large market share in either market and, as such, has not been a disruptive technology. The major changes in this market in the past 5-10 yr in Australia and New Zealand have been the development of new industrial capacity in CLT and the acquisition of computer controlled machining equipment to facilitate prefabrication of wooden building components. The development of new codes and standards and design guides is underway. The drivers of future growth in market share are expected to include more clients putting a higher weight on the various environmental benefits of building in wood, reduction in the real and perceived professional risk for builders and architects specifying mass timber construction, and fuller participation in the supply chain for timber buildings (from design to construction) by timber building specialists. Government policies to encourage the use of timber may also be helpful. Engineers and architects will continue to learn-through experience-how to optimize building construction methods to take advantage of the specific features and qualities of timber as a construction method.
Since 1901, there have been over 260 bushfires in Australia and over 825 known civilian and firefighter fatalities. The present study assessed the material properties and fire resistance qualities (to BAL 29) of a full-penetration, pressure impregnated, intumescent fire retardant treated Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) for use in building environments not exposed to weatheringi.e. subfloor systems. The testing was carried out in accordance with AS3959:2009 utilising a Cone Calorimeter device at a National Association of Testing Authorities accredited laboratory. The results indicate that the samples subjected to testing meet the criteria of AS/NZS3837 Appendix F, meeting the necessary performance criteria for bushfire-resisting materials. The full-penetration, pressure impregnated, intumescent fire retardant treated LVL is suitable for the construction of structures in bushfire prone areas to Bushfire Attack Level 29 (BAL29).
Objective: To identify reasons for misconduct and misconduct amongst Australian psychologists. Method: During the 5-year period from 2008 to 2013, 42 psychologists across 41 cases were found guilty of misconduct and malpractice by civil and administrative courts across Australia. The court decision documents were analysed using Braun and Clarke's (2006) qualitative methodology to explore themes relating to the court's objective, the psychologist's subjective, and the authors' interpretive causal reasons transgressing psychologists engaged in misconduct and malpractice. Results: Explanations given by psychologists for misconduct and malpractice behaviours included the use and abuse of legal and illicit substances, addiction behaviours, and impairment due to mental disorder or unresolved trauma. A number of other reasons identified by the courts and by the authors from the evidence cited in the published court decision documents are also discussed. Possible contributing factors for why misconduct and malpractice behaviours occurred coalesced into three themes: the externalisation of responsibility for personal actions and behaviours, a lack of objectivity concerning why such behaviours occurred, and an inability to understand how personal circumstance affected the provision of ethical services to clients. Conclusion: (a) The complexity of situations and scenarios surrounding psychologist malpractice can be simplified for the benefit of designing interventions by applying Glass' (2003) concept of the "slippery slope." (b) Court records have benefit as detailed data, but could be augmented for greater value with a simple and easily completed additional coversheet of background and demographic data.
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