Analytical investigation for application of Hollow CLT elements

Abstract

The construction sector today are responsible for a large portion of the global carbon emissions, which leads to a higher demand for making the industry more sustainable. With these increasing demands put a higher pressure on reducing the raw material used in construction. Timber is in comparison with others a more sustainable material because it is relatively eco-friendly. This thesis aims to investigate the application and extent of where and when it is appropriate to implement air gaps into the cross layers of CLT elements in relation to structural and hygrothermal performance, as well as how the evaluation should be structured to acquire the most volume efficient layout. The optimal arrangement for enhancing both structural and environmental performance was determined by methodically evaluating important elements like heat transmission, moisture transport, and material interactions. The investigation of structural performance showed that air gaps could be applied to a meaningful extent in most situations and still satisfy structural requirements saving approximately 20% of the material usage, where even with constrained widths of the air gaps, a significant reduction of the volume in relation to its solid counterpart. For the Hygrothermal performance no major impact could be observed from the air gaps other than the thermal and moisture storage capacity decreased.