Performance of Building Components
Node Leaders
Hong Guan
Node Leader - Performance of Building Components; Executive Board Member
Griffith University
Bill Leggate
QDAF Team Leader; Project Leader; Partner Investigator
Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
Opportunity
Recent innovations (through ARC Future Timber Hub) demonstrated that co-optimising product characteristics across multiple design variables can identify end-products with higher value than if optimised solely for structural performance criteria. Combining Australia’s foundational strengths in timber-related structural engineering, fire engineering, materials science and durability analysis, with an early understanding of the needs of industry and design practitioners, can expedite the translation of product innovation to market.
Approach
Performance assessment will address multiple building design criteria (fire, durability, vibration, acoustics) for multiple product typologies (long-span floors, wall panels, columns and beams). Specialist research projects will also address four specific topics prioritised by industry partners for further innovation: (i) The design and performance of different connection solutions; (ii) Novel composite (fibre-reinforced) and hybrid (timber+steel) load-bearing solutions; (iii) Fire safety, integrating façade design for fire risk reduction; (iv) Embedded instrumentation to monitor product performance and condition throughout construction and the building lifespan.
Outcomes
Industry and policy maker confidence that innovative EWPs using the range of Australian timber resource types, can meet or exceed the performance of conventional material selection for mid-rise buildings under different Australian climatic conditions. Demonstrations of how the evidence base can be used in design guidelines, to influence cutting-edge building design practice in the short term with longer-term uptake in standards and the National Construction Code. Design information for the recommended EWPs will directly inform the analysis of the Nodes – Timber Building Performance for Occupants, Design for Extended Building Life and Value-Chain Innovation.
People
Benoit Gilbert
Project Leader; Chief Investigator
Griffith University / Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
David Lange
Project Leader; Chief Investigator
The University of Queensland
Hassan Karampour
Project Leader; Chief Investigator
Griffith University
Lisa Ottenhaus
Node Leader - Design for Extended Building Life; Project Leader
The University of Queensland
Maryam Shirmohammadi
Project Leader; Partner Investigator
Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
Tripti Singh
Project Leader; Chief Investigator
University of the Sunshine Coast
Project/s
Innovative long-span timber and wood-based hybrid floors for vibration performance and acoustic compliance
CONNECTION SYSTEMS FOR EXTENDED BUILDING LIFE
Wood Composite Load Bearing Solutions
Fire safety of mass timber buildings
Development of moisture monitoring, assessment and management systems for the Australian mass timber construction industry
Role of moisture in the long-term performance of mass timber building elements