Identification and improvement of critical joints in CLT construction without weather protection

Abstract

Wetting of timber structures during erection can have a harmful effect on their durability and could lead to adverse health effects. The probability of dampness related problems is very high when timber is exposed to free water. However, it is not always possible to implement full weather protection and thus there is a need for cost optimal solutions to increase the moisture safety of precipitation-exposed timber construction. In this study we observed the construction works and monitored the timber moisture content (MC) of a cross-laminated timber (CLT) building and proposed a set of activities and designed connection details that could help to avoid moisture ingress during the installation of CLT panels. Our findings showed that the most sensitive area to wetting is the end-grain on the CLT panel and the MC remained within critical limits in structures where drying was prohibited. Therefore, the most vulnerable section of the CLT structure is the foundation connection. We suggest using liquid-applied membrane coating on the cut edges of CLT panels to protect the end grain and to cover the horizontal CLT panels with self-adhesive membranes and vertical CLT panels with temporary clear weather protection foils.