Book 25, Question 20
Can a skyscraper be made of wood?
Yes.
Engineers glue layers of wood together crosswise to make mass timber, such as cross-laminated timber, which is strong and fire-resistant because the outer layer chars and protects the inside. Mass timber stores carbon and can be built quickly. A student residence at the University of British Columbia, finished in 2017, is 18 stories tall and built with wood.
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Quick answers
Can a skyscraper be made of wood?
Wood is an ancient building material, but modern Mass Timber is an engineered product made in factories.
Source: skyscraper.org
More fun facts
- The technology of Mass Timber relies on manufacturing wood products that are much bigger, stronger, fire resistive, and more durable than common lumber or plywood.
- The first Mass Timber buildings in North America of 8 stories were completed in 2014.
- Europe, the birthplace of CLT technology, saw the first tall Mass Timber structures.
- The Mass Timber has dual function as both structure and an architectural finish.
- Mass timber is a priority for the Forest Service, which is championing and investing in the United States’ emerging industry.
Sources: skyscraper.org, U.S. Forest Service
Questions kids ask
What makes it hard to build tall with wood?
Building with Mass Timber presents several challenges for tall buildings, including strict building and fire codes.
Source: skyscraper.org