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Since its initial introduction in Europe more than two decades ago, cross-laminated timber (CLT) has been established as a new-generation product (UNFAO 2016). Recent construction projects in both Canada and the United States (Pei et al. 2016) and research efforts in Europe, North America, and Japan on CLT-based lateral force resisting systems (Pei et al. 2014) have demonstrated that CLT can be a viable alternative to steel and concrete in mid-rise construction, particularly in seismic regions. However, CLT-based seismic force resisting systems are not included in current design codes and standards, meaning that any CLT seismic design can be conducted only through alternative methods. This approach is both costly and complicated, making CLT less competitive than other conventional structural systems such as light-frame wood and heavier materials such as steel and concrete. The purpose of this Forest Products Laboratory partnership with Colorado State University is to determine seismic performance factors for CLT, thereby enabling CLT to be used efficiently and competitively throughout the United States.
Rammer, Douglas R.
| - FPL's Mission and Strategic Plan - |
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FPL's mission is to identify and conduct innovative wood and fiber utilization research that contributes to conservation and productivity of the forest resource, thereby sustaining forests, the economy, and quality of life. ... ..more » |
| - FPL Research Emphasis Areas - |
Advanced Composites
As an integral part of the FPL mission, we improve the long-term sustainability of our Nation's forests by creating valuable composite products from biobased materials ... ..more » 
Advanced Structures
The FPL has been in the forefront of wood-frame housing research since 1910 and has long been recognized as a world leader in such housing-related areas as engineered wood ... ..more » 
Forest Biorefinery
We all know the compelling reasons that the United States needs to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. Historically, the greatest increases in energy demand have been for transportation fuels ... ..more » 
Nanotechnology
A leader in wood products research for over a century, the FPL is positioning itself to become the lead Federal research facility for the application of nanotechnology in forest products ... more » 
Woody Biomass Utilization
Forests in the United States contain a substantial amount of small-diameter, overstocked, and underutilized material.FPL research projects are exploring the potential of the small-diameter ... ..more » |