The Bi-national Softwood Lumber Council recently released the Nail-Laminated Timber (NLT) U.S. Design and Construction Guide.
The first-of-its-kind manual for the U.S. design and construction community was conceived and prepared by practitioners dedicated to advancing high-quality timber construction across industries, typologies, and geographies. Available for free download at reThinkWood.com, the guide provides direction to ensure safe, predictable, and economical use of NLT.
The document also offers practical strategies and guidance, including lessons learned from real-life projects. It is consistent with current codes and standards, including the 2015 International Building Code.
The guide focuses on design and construction considerations for horizontal NLT applications pertaining to U.S. construction practice and standards. Unlike other mass timber products, NLT does not require a unique manufacturing facility and can be fabricated with local dimension lumber for use in applications across sectors and building types. “Nail-laminated timber is a cost-effective solution for those looking to leverage the economic and environmental benefits of mass timber construction,” said Cees de Jager, General Manager of the Bi-national Softwood Lumber Council.
“While NLT has been incorporated into U.S. building codes for decades, available resources are dated and have been focused on prescriptive, rather than engineered applications," said Rebecca Holt, of Perkins + Will.
Related Stories
| Nov 14, 2013
GSA asks for input to help study energy-efficient technologies on its buildings
The General Services Administration has posted a request online, asking those in industry, academia and nonprofits for information on green building technologies.
| Nov 14, 2013
Document on gypsum boards sets stage for preparing Environmental Product Declaration
The Gypsum Association has completed the development of a product category rules (PCR) document for North American gypsum boards.
| Nov 14, 2013
ISO, FLASH team up to promote stronger building codes
ISO has joined the national nonprofit Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) to encourage communities to build disaster-resistant buildings that can withstand hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and other catastrophic events.
| Nov 6, 2013
Cost to small businesses from silica rule is raised by progressive group
The silica-dust rule from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration could put small businesses at a disadvantage on the cost of complying with the mandate, according to the Center for Progressive Reform.
| Nov 6, 2013
Uneven snow load concern prompts structural study of Minnesota college auditorium roof
The roof of the Memorial Auditorium of Concordia College in Minnesota will undergo a complete structural analysis because it was built to 1946 codes and may not be able to accommodate uneven snow loads.
| Nov 6, 2013
Dallas’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2030 advances with second phase of green codes
Dallas stands out as one of the few large cities that is enforcing a green building code, with the city aiming to be carbon neutral by 2030.
| Nov 6, 2013
Task force to examine resiliency in the face of climate change
President Barack Obama recently signed an executive order related to climate change and disaster-management efforts during severe weather events and other disasters.
| Nov 6, 2013
USGBC Northern California chapter focuses on improving indoor environments in green buildings
The Northern California branch of the U.S. Green Building Council is leading the “Building Health Initiative” that seeks to improve the indoor environment of green buildings.
| Oct 31, 2013
OSHA enacts 47-day extension for comment period on silica-exposure rule
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has extended the public comment period on its silica-dust exposure rule by 47 days.
| Oct 31, 2013
Updates to California’s building codes take effect Jan. 1
Green-building and accessibility are the major themes of the 2013 updates to California’s construction codes that are set to take effect Jan. 1.
