This paper introduces the Laminated Partial-Composite Plate Theory (LPCPT), as an extension of the classical laminated plate theory (CLPT), incorporating the effects of partial-interaction imperfection at the constituting layers’ interfaces. The interlayer interaction effects are modelled through out-of-plane shear stresses based on a shear spring model in terms of the relative displacements/slips at the interfaces. The proposed LPCPT extends a recently developed model for multilayer composite beam/column elements with interlayer partial-interaction imperfection. The model’s governing equations, as well as the extended classical boundary conditions, are formulated. Analytical solution schemes are introduced for free vibrations and buckling of partial-composite plates. The analytical solutions can flexibly capture any number of constituent layers. The validity and high accuracy of the established approach are demonstrated via comparative numerical results based on 3-D finite element analysis (FEA). It is shown how the buckling loads and natural vibration frequencies degrade from those predicted based on CLPT with perfect-bonding ideal assumptions, considering different levels of interlayer interaction. For a special case where the interlayer interaction modulus is set to the equivalent layers’ transverse shear modulus, the results of the present model are shown to match those of thick integrated plates based on higher-order shear deformation theory (HSDT).

This paper gives a brief overview of the static and the dynamic analyses of sandwich beams and sandwich plates composed of two elastic layers connected by a soft core. We show the strict correspondence between the sandwich beam, sandwich plate, and the analogous composite beam and composite plate problem with partial interaction. The beam problem is governed by a sixth-order differential equation in space for the deflection, whereas the plate problem is governed by a tri-Laplacian equation for the deflection, as first shown by Hoff in 1950 for symmetrical three-layer component (sandwich plate or composite plate theory with partial interaction). It is shown herein that the tri-Laplacian partial differential equation is also valid for general unsymmetrical sandwich plate or partially composite plate. In the limit cases, i.e., for non-composite action and for full-composite action, the beam model reduces into the Euler–Bernoulli beam model and the plate model into the Kirchhoff–Love model. Boundary layer phenomena may be predominant in the asymptotic stiff problem. The nonlocal bending moment–curvature of the sandwich beam (or composite beam with partial interaction) is analysed, and extended to a nonlocal Marcus bending moment–curvature for the composite plate theory. The consistency of the tri-Laplacian plate theory is commented, regarding the bi-Laplacian Reissner sandwich plate theory, which neglects the bending stiffnesses of each face layer. The paper finally presents results for the static bending and vibrations of sandwich beams and plates on simply supported boundary conditions, with a discussion on asymptotic limit cases.

Existing vibration and buckling analysis models for the partial-composite beam/column elements are restricted to a limited number of constituting layers. This is due to the escalated complexity of the governing equations with an increase in the number of layers. The present study formulates the stability and vibration problems of columns and beams composed of any number of identical constituting layers, incorporating the effects of interlayer partial-interaction imperfection. A Timoshenko/Engesser-hypothesis-based partial-composite (TEPC) model is developed and a novel analytical solution scheme is implemented into the extracted governing differential equations. As a result, efficient conversion coefficients are introduced, converting the well-known classical Euler column buckling and beam vibration formulae to those of multilayer elements having interlayer partial-interaction imperfection based on the TEPC model. The validity of the proposed approach is verified through comparison with available experimental data and the conducted 3-D FEA. It is shown that the most significant reduction in the predicted buckling capacity of partial-composite multilayer columns, when transitioning from the EBPC model to TEPC, occurs for the columns with the highest interlayer interaction. Furthermore, it is shown that the influence of interlayer interaction level on the Euler-to-Timoshenko/Engesser conversion coefficients becomes less pronounced as the number of constituting layers increases.

Tall buildings with a high occupancy need to resist disproportionate collapse caused by unforeseen exposures, e.g. terrorism or accidents. If a damage has occurred in a building, the damage propagation can be halted if the structure is robust, i.e. it provides alternative load paths (ALPs). The ALPs of platform-type cross-laminated timber buildings have not been studied in detail on the component level. The goals of this paper are thus to elicit which ALPs may develop on single storeys in a corner bay of a platform-type cross-laminated timber building, and to study how the various building components contribute to the ALPs. For this purpose, a non-linear quasi-static pushdown analysis was conducted in a finite element model of an 8-storey building after a wall removal. Friction, fastener failure, timber failure and large displacements were accounted for. Four different ALPs were identified at various storeys and their mechanisms were described. The results could be used to improve the capacity of the ALPs and make platform-type cross-laminated timber buildings more robust in the future.

Wood plays an important role in the construction industry to meet the challenges of the climate, finite natural resources and energy consumption. It plays a significant role in environmental and climate effects on society as well as the well-being of its individual citizens.

Multi-storey wooden buildings in the Nordic region have proven to be the main business opportunity in the new bioeconomy. However, it is emphasized that the technical challenges must first be overcome and access on design tools come to the same level as the equivalent for concrete and steel.

The future potential for increased construction of multi-storey wooden buildings has also recently been studied. It emphasizes that based on demographics (strong population growth and strong urbanization), climate (climate impact reduction) and employment (keeping employment at a high level with a “reasonable” distribution of jobs between urban and rural areas), industrial timber construction can contribute as follows until 2025: (1) Build capacity for industrial timber construction to be able to deliver 50 % of the multi-storey houses in wood on the Swedish market; (2) Create 8 000 new jobs in prefabrication companies and help relocate 6 000 jobs from big cities to the countryside.

Business development focuses on identifying opportunities and developing resources for new, expanded or changed business operations. For the construction industry, this means to create business models for the building process, including design, manufacturing and construction, and involve consultants, contractors and small and large suppliers.

Business models are linked to current technical activities. When business models and technologies interact, this connection needs to be a starting point. We need to link industrial construction with companies’ business models. Business models for industrialized construction of multi-storey wooden houses that are in focus can provide a better understanding of its potential for competitiveness and profitability. Industrialized construction is also a driving force in shaping new or changing business models.

The work comprises of three main activity areas: (1) the technical part, (2) the business part, and (3) the application part.

Technical part: This part includes developing different types of design tools that the industry needs to produce and build multi-storey buildings in wood. Mainly within the areas (1) architecture and building design; (2) structural engineering – building systems, horizontal stabilization and sway, robustness, components and connections.

Business part: This part includes developing business models for wood building projects, especially for multi-storey wooden buildings. Especially for the industrialized manufacturing and construction processes, integration of SME’s into big wood construction projects, and interaction between the different market players.

Developing business models for industrialized multi-storey wooden buildings would include adapting a general business model to the industrialized building setting and choose the major business model elements, identify frequently used business models and model elements, and establish a good fit between the business model its model elements. The business model elements include prefabrication mode, role in the building process, end-user segments, offering, and resources for design and onsite construction.

Application part – demo and pilot projects: This part includes following up on real wood building objects under and after construction, to identify weaknesses and challenges for learning and further study. And studying the industrialization of the wood construction process from manufacturing to erecting and the digitization with respect to planning and design.

Critical issues to evaluate are:(1) Horizontal stability, robustness and building sway;(2) Business models and business elements; planning, management and interaction between participating partners (consultants, wood companies, entrepreneurs) and between main supplier (“locomotives”) and subcontractors (SME’s); and(3)     Industrialisation and digitization of the different processes.

A parallel reading of ten powerful works of conceptual and analytical originality yields a novel epistemological method based on the possibility of automated experimentation in engineering and architecture. An initial protocol for Parametric Epistemic Things, a particular kind of assemblage (as postulated by DeLanda following Deleuze & Guattari) that builds on Rheinberger’s ideas of Epistemic Things, is outlined and conceptualised to allow for the possibility of such automation. Following the interpretations of fragments from the texts, a discussion examines future potentials and identifies some of the conceptual and pragmatic thresholds to overcome in order to leverage the proposal and situate it within a general theory of science and research, while attempting to answer the question at the heart of this essay: what is the role of parametric epistemic things in contemporary evolutionary architecture?

Multi-storey cross-laminated timber (CLT) buildings are a comparatively recent construction type. Knowledge concerning the performance of CLT buildings regarding the prevention of disproportionate collapse after unforeseeable events (e.g. accidents or acts of terrorism) is not as refined as that for concrete and steel buildings. In particular, alternative load paths (ALPs) after the removal of a wall panel in platform-framed variants have not yet been studied in detail. The goal of this work was therefore to study ALPs in CLT buildings. An eight-storey bay of an existing building was evaluated by conducting a non-linear static pushdown analysis in a finite element analysis on three representative storeys. The analyses accounted for single fastener behaviour, timber crushing, friction, brittle failure and large deformations. The force–deformation behaviours elicited under the pushdown analyses were subsequently inserted in a simplified dynamic model to evaluate the transient response of the entire bay. Four ALPs were identified in this case – shear resistance in the floor panels, arching action of the walls, catenary action in the floor panels and hanging action from the roof. The dynamic analysis did not show a collapse, unless the inter-compartment stiffness was significantly reduced. The resistance mechanisms are described in this paper, which may provide information for improved building design.

“File-to-factory” processes of computer technologies is a contemporary way to both maximise efficiency throughout the building process, increase a building's performance, and be able to add interesting architectural possibilities throughout the design phase. Viewing the building as a parametric network of connected components that can be individually controlled through unique parameters may no longer be a novel architectural concept, but its application to multi-storey timber buildings is still a territory for which there are no maps. Allowing not only the notion of identicality in mechanically reproduced objects to be left behind, but replacing the idea of the object with that of the objectile, the authors investigate a novel approach that produces a set of building trajectories rather than a set of buildings, yet yields a series of buildable examples of those trajectories. This paper describes and evaluates how this series of stacked multi-storey timber buildings based on three Swedish timber structural systems can be both incorporated within a file-to-factory process, and how this gives rise to a range of new and interesting potentials to create innovative solutions throughout the entire design and manufacturing process.

A “file-to-factory” process of computer technology is applied to a real project called Zembla in the town of Kalmar, Sweden. The ground datum is used as a counterpoint to the necessary further densification of our urban nodes. It redefines the notion of sprawl, turning it into a progressive tactics for linking the city fabric to rural areas. It is a post-sustainable file-to-factory-produced timber ground-scraper that redefines the urban-rural edge of Kalmar; soaring high above ground and water, suggesting a new way of life through a new way of making city-sized buildings for the future. A plug-in grid-shell structure is designed to contain a minimal amount of timber elements, beams make up the lattice, cross-laminated panels add structural support, surfaces (boards) come together to form the living capsules. Having the structure undulate across the topography and touching the ground in as few places as possible uses the dichotomy between landscape and urbanism to allow the project to reverse today’s migration patterns, bringing the city to the people living in less densified areas. The living units are placed in into the grid. Each unit is unique and is customised to its weather and topological conditions within the grid. Some comments on grid development and slotting is also given as part of the file-to-factory process.

A “file-to-factory” process of computer technology is a way to both maximise efficiency throughout the building process, increase a building׳s performance, and be able to add interesting architectural possibilities throughout the design phase. The authors investigate a novel approach that produces a set of building trajectories rather than a set of buildings, yet yields a series of build-able examples of those trajectories. This paper evaluates how this series of stacked multi-storey timber buildings can be both incorporated within a file-to-factory process, and give rise to creating new innovative solutions throughout the entire design and manufacturing process. This process is applied to a real Swedish project called Zembla. It redefines the notion of sprawl, turning it into a progressive tactics for linking the city fabric to rural areas. It is a post-sustainable file-to-factory-produced timber ground-scraper; soaring above ground and water, suggesting a new way of making city-sized buildings for the future. A plug-in grid-shell structure is designed to contain a minimal amount of timber elements, beams make up the lattice, cross-laminated panels add structural support, surfaces come together to form the living capsules. Having the structure undulate across the topography and touching the ground in as few places as possible uses the dichotomy between landscape and urbanism, bringing the city to the people living in less densified areas. Each living unit is customised to its topological conditions within the grid.