Introductory Studies in Mass Timber Construction

The first module in this course gives an overview of the main characteristics and properties of mass timber products, including the advantages and challenges of their use in construction. The concept and advantages of prefabrication are discussed. The second module helps students become familiar with the overall layout of a construction site and the key safety aspects related to work conducted on a mass timber constructions site. In the third module, the basic tools and types of estimates are described in relation to the stages in building design. This module presents information from the perspectives of a professional quantity surveyor and a construction estimator advising a construction client early in the building design process. The fourth module gives an introduction to the application of digital tools in project delivery which adds to the efficiency of projects in the mass timber construction industry. Students will learn about Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DfMA) as part of a digital project delivery. In addition to the course content, students will learn about mass timber construction by reviewing several case studies.

Module 1 in this course outlines the basic structural components, connections, and structural layouts, as well as site installation for mass timber construction, including safety considerations when handling and lifting mass timber components. Module 2 focuses on the installation of building enclosures for mass timber construction. The building enclosure is a system of materials, components, and assemblies that physically separate conditioned space (interior) from unconditioned spaces (exterior). The long-term performance of the building enclosure relies on effective environmental control, which is a key factor in constructing a sustainable and durable mass timber building enclosure. Modules 3 and 4 give an introduction to fire protection and sound insulation performance for mass timber construction, respectively. In these modules, students will learn about the primary means to achieving fire safety in buildings, building features which affect sound insulation performance, and the difference between light-frame construction and mass timber construction in terms of fire and sound insulation performance. In Module 5, students will learn about the main phases and the roles and responsibilities in each construction phase which will give them a better appreciation of the effort and scope that goes into planning, managing and constructing a mass timber project. In addition to the course content, students will learn about performance of mass timber construction by reviewing several case studies.
Prerequisite(s): XTMB 1001