MASS TIMBER CONNECTIONS
Designing mass timber lateral load resisting systems (LLRS) in seismic regions is challenging. As a result, most mass timber buildings use steel frames or concrete cores. Tectonus was founded by world-renowned experts in seismic design of mass timber LLRS. We have the experience, design skills and technology to help realize all-timber buildings.
Mass Timber Applications
Mass timber structures - seismic challenges
Mass timber buildings have the advantage of lower mass and reduced seismic forces. However mass timber LLRS does present some unique challenges:
- Lower ductility. Mass timber is less ductile than concrete and steel and the members are brittle.
- Connection detailing. Improperly designed or executed connections can result in reduced seismic performance.
- Failure modes. Mass timber fails differently. For example split beams, broken dowels.
- Sacrificial connections. Conventional timber connectors yield to provide ductility, losing their ability to withstand aftershocks.
Tectonus know-how and technology was developed specifically to address these challenges.
“Based on my 30 years' experience designing timber structures, I can see no better seismic solution for mass timber wall hold downs than Tectonus. Damping, ductility, and recentering in a compact package that is also simple to install on site.”
ROBERT MALCZYK
Principal, Timber Engineering
Cost Study
In this project Tectonus hold downs were compared to a conventional solution in a 3-storey residential apartment building in Wellington, New Zealand:
- 190% increase in ductility
- 47% reduction in shear wall volume
- 71% reduction in the number of fasteners
Tectonus hold downs paid for themselves in the savings from timber and fasteners alone - additional savings were realized in the foundations though these were not calculated.
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