Multifamily, Mid-Rise Buildings Using Wood Construction

Multifamily housing is an active part of design and construction activity across the U.S. Steel, concrete and masonry typically come to mind as structural materials; in recent years wood construction has become popular due to its cost-effective, code-compliant, and sustainable attributes. This article will review reasons for the rising popularity of wood in multifamily buildings, review code compliance and fire safety considerations, and discuss techniques for successful wood building designs.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the sustainability and economic benefits of using wood construction for mid-rise buildings.
• Summarize building code requirements and provisions for mid-rise multi-family woodframe structures.
• Discuss wood framing solutions that address issues such as shrinkage, fire protection, and seismic requirements while minimizing carbon footprint.
• Explore innovations in wood framing design techniques and wood product technologies that enhance energy efficiency.