Cross-laminated timber panels with composite insert members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels face challenges in efficiently transferring loads and providing enhanced compressive capacity, especially when subjected to compression and tension loading, due to the limitations of standard lumber boards.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating insert members with different materials or configurations, such as rectangular tubes, engineered lumber, or passageways, into the CLT panels to replace standard lumber boards, which have greater compressive strength and facilitate load transfer through various attachment methods like bolts, screws, and nail plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If standard lumber boards are used in CLT panels, then the panel structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the compressive capacity and load transfer efficiency are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces standard lumber boards with composite insert members that combine different materials (e.g., steel, concrete, engineered wood) within a single component. These composite insert members provide enhanced compressive capacity while maintaining the overall CLT panel structure, resolving the contradiction between strength improvement and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces insert members with specific localized properties at critical positions within the CLT panel where compressive loads are concentrated. Rather than making the entire panel more complex, the local insertion of high-strength members provides targeted strength enhancement where needed most.
2Reliability
If insert members with greater compressive strength are incorporated, then load transfer efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The insert members are pre-fabricated with attachment features (such as integrated connection elements, pre-drilled holes, or built-in attachment surfaces) before being inserted into the CLT panel. This preliminary preparation of attachment mechanisms streamlines the manufacturing process and reduces on-site complexity, thereby improving load transfer efficiency without significantly increasing manufacturing difficulty.
3Stability of the object's composition
If insert members are used to enhance compressive capacity, then structural integrity is improved, but the number of components and attachment methods increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into the insert members themselves, such as combining structural load-bearing capacity with built-in attachment features, positioning elements, and connection mechanisms. This merging of functions reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall assembly, thereby improving structural integrity without proportionally increasing component count.
Data Source
AI summary
A cross-laminated timber panel comprises a plurality of layers of lumber boards, each layer comprising a number of the lumber boards laid side-to-side pointing to a direction, each layer being disposed perpendicular to the direction of an adjoining layer; and an insert member replacing one of the lumber boards, the insert member having a different material or configuration than the lumber boards.