Book 25, Question 20 · Video
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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What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Can a skyscraper be made of wood?
The Big Idea
Can a skyscraper be made of wood? Yes, it can! Engineers use a special kind called mass timber.
Mass Timber
Step one: Mass Timber. Engineers glue layers of wood together crosswise to make mass timber, such as cross-laminated timber. This makes it very strong.
Fire Smart
Step two: Fire Smart. Mass timber is fire-resistant, because the outer layer chars and protects the inside. It burns slowly.
Green Building
Step three: Green Building. 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.
A Closer Look
Let's take a closer look! Trees become boards. Boards are layered. Glue holds them crosswise. They build tall towers.
Quick Facts
Quick facts! Wooden buildings are lighter than concrete ones, so they need smaller foundations. New trees can be planted. Wood builds quickly. Wood stores carbon.
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! Glue popsicle sticks crosswise in layers, with a grown-up. Let the glue dry. Test how strong it is by stacking books on it between two blocks. Compare it with a single layer. Which is stronger?
Outro
A skyscraper can be made of wood using mass timber, layers glued crosswise for strength. It resists fire, stores carbon, and builds quickly, like an 18-story tower at UBC. Science is amazing! Keep asking questions! The more you look around, the more wonders you will find, so keep your eyes open! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!