Resistance of Cross-Laminated Timber to Atmospheric Actions

Abstract

Introduction. Cross-laminated timber (CLT) has started to win a market in Russia. Humidity plays an important role in ensuring the operational reliability of buildings based on timber structures. The lack of comprehensive studies on the influence of varying temperature and humidity actions, including atmospheric ones, hinders the development of CLT.Aim. In this work, the influence of atmospheric actions on various types of CLT building structures was determined in order to amend the requirements in SP 64.13330.2017 for the design and protection of CLT structures.Materials and methods. Samples of CLT wall panels and floor slabs manufactured as per the current regulatory documents were used as an object of research. Field tests were developed in order to determine the influence of atmospheric actions on the strength and elastic characteristics of CLT panels.Results. Atmospheric actions have an adverse effect on the strength and elastic characteristics of CLT panels. The decrease in the strength and elastic characteristics varies for the samples of floor slabs and wall panels.Conclusion. It is proposed that several recommendations given based on the experimental results on the resistance CLT to atmospheric actions are to be included in SP 64.13330.2017 for the design, manufacture, and construction of buildings using CLT structures.