The world’s most advanced earthquake-resistant timber building is weeks from topping out, with “the Hive”—North America’s largest timber-braced building—rising in downtown Vancouver.
Today, Wood Central spoke to Robert Jackson, Principal at Fast + Epp, one of the world’s leading engineering firms at the forefront of mass timber, who said he was excited to see the building finally “go vertical.”
“They are at level seven right now and will top out later this month at level ten,” Mr Jackson said: “It’s got 105 seismic dampers (which absorb seismic energy and reduce deformations in the structure), and I would say with quiet pride that it is one of the most seismically advanced timber buildings in the world.”
Considered one of the world’s ‘pioneering projects,’ the building features an all-timber system—including glue-laminated timber beams, columns and braces, and cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels—was fabricated by Kalesnikoff from levels 2 to 10. It also includes shear walls and balconies and is a ‘kit-of-parts prefabrication,’ all allowing for rapid on-site construction.
The project uses a ground-breaking lateral system.
Using perforated plate technology — where energy dissipates inside the building’s frame members and shearwalls — the building’s timber-braced frame and cross-laminated timber shearwall system underwent small-scale and full-scale testing at the University of Alberta and the University of Queens. “This provides valuable engineering information to the design community for future tall wood projects,” according to Fast + Epp – which has provided extensive information about the testing.
Working with DIALOG, the project architect, Fast + Epp developed a perimeter timber braced frame system that creates a striking façade and eliminates the need for conventional cast-in-place concrete cores. In addition, the perimeter timber braced frame is paired with four discrete internal cross-laminated timber (CLT) shearwalls.
“Having learned that integrated service distribution is key to the successful architectural expression of a mass timber ceiling, Fast + Epp developed a bottom-flush interior girder system using custom steel members,” according to a Fast + Epp case study, adding that “this system creates a ‘flat plate’ ceiling for mechanical and electrical service routing.”
Pushing the boundaries with design
As part of British Columbia’s Mass Timber Demonstration Programme, Mr Jackson said the government has encouraged developers to push the boundaries with timber buildings, “both seismically, but also in bending and compression.” “We’ve been fortunate to be involved in many of these projects, which allow us to do this type of innovation,” he said.
According to Naturally Wood, the building is also a “fire-safe tall wood design,” using large timber members specially designed and engineered through extensive testing to withstand the flames and intense fire:
“They will do that by burning and charring around the outside to a carefully calculated depth that is only a fraction of the total thickness. the outer layer of charring forms a barrier that protects the bulk of the column or panel, as well as structural steel connections inside the columns.”
The Hive’s “Fire-Safe Tall Wood Design”
Robert Jackson will be a special guest presenter at Timber Construct next week.
Mr Jackson will be one of the keynote speakers at Timber Construct, Australia’s largest timber construction conference. According to Andrew Dunn, conference organiser, “Robert will present as part of a panel discussion on the first day with Noel Johnston, an American developer who has hands-on experience delivering mass timber projects of all sizes, and Liam Wallis, who is building timber projects right here in Australia.”
“Robert has been involved in some of the world’s most iconic timber projects, the Hive, the PNE Amphitheatre—the world’s longest timber arch structure—and the BCIT Tall Timber Student Housing project, which uses point-supported construction systems.”
“The primary focus is on commercial-ready applications of timber technology,” Mr Dunn said, with the “focus on materials and design, prefabrication, and building techniques.”
- Please note: Wood Central will have a 10-minute interview with Robert Jackson tomorrow.
