STRUCTURLAM

CROSS
LAMINATED
TIMBER
DESIGN GUIDE
Introduction
Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) has been manufactured in
Europe for over a decade. CLT is a revolutionary building
system that substitutes for concrete, masonry and steel in
some applications. Ideal for floors, walls, and roofs, CLT has
been described as the perfect structural solution.

Structurlam has created its own line of Cross Laminated

Timber called CrossLam. Using layers of locally sourced
softwood stacked at right angles and glued together,
CrossLam provides load distribution and dimensional
stability in all directions.

With its cross-layered construction, reduced carbon foot-

print, formaldehyde free adhesive and ready to assemble
system, CrossLamTM is the green choice for schools, health
care facilities public buildings, commercial buildings, and
multi-family housing.

The contents of this guide provide technical information to

allow architects and engineers to specify CrossLam. Table of Contents
Introduction 2
Carbon Footprint Carbon Footprint 2
The environmental benefits of CrossLam speak for Benefits of CrossLam 2
themselves. Because CrossLam is made of wood, it Technical Approvals 2
possesses a number of inherent positive environmental Our Approach 2
characteristics common to all wood products. Panel Characteristics 3-4
Appearance Classification 4
According to life cycle assessment studies, these Connection Details 5-7
include carbon storage, lower greenhouse gas emissions Load Tables 8-11
during the manufacturing process, and an overall lighter
environmental footprint than non-wood materials.
Benefits of CrossLamTM
Our Approach CrossLam has many of the benefits that other
Structurlam’s CrossLam has all the advantages of prefabricated building materials just don’t have.
buildings in addition to the Structurlam Advantage:
• Our state of the art manufacturing facility allows us to • Up to 6 times lighter than concrete.
efficiently produce large volumes of world class, certified • Dimensional stability and static strength in
panels. all directions.
• Our planer can finish smooth all 4 sides to expose panel • Cost competitive against steel and concrete.
surfaces and ensure a perfect fit. • Reduced construction time.
• Our Design Team can provide fully engineered design • Space creator, 1/3 thinner than concrete.
solutions for floors, roof, walls, and all connection details. • Less demand for skilled workers on site.
• Our Installation Partners can install any size of project.
• We manufacture panels using environmentally friendly
resins that are free from formaldehyde and colour.
Technical Approvals
• The Structurlam Team is here to make your project a CrossLamTM is certified to meet the requirements
success. of the Standard for Performance Rated CLT ANSI/
APA PRG 320.
 FLOOR SLAB COMPARISON CROSSLAM VS. CONCRETE
MAX VIBRATION CONCRETE SLAB
CrossLam PANEL SLAB THICKNESS RATIO CLT/CONC
SPANS CONTROLLED ONE END CONT
THICKNESS (mm) REQUIRED (mm) THICKNESS (%)
(m) SPAN (m) dx24 (m)
SLT3 99 150 66 3.5 2.4
SLT5 169 200 85 4.9 4.1
SLT7 239 260 92 6.2 5.8
SLT9 309 310 100 7.4 7.4

Text in red indicates CrossLam thickness advantage.

Architects and Engineers receive a General Contractors Owners receive a green

Designers can strong, stable building. receive a predictable building that is on
design with freedom. experence onsite. budget and on time.

Panel Properties
Limit States Design (LSD) Bending Resistances(a) for Structurlam CrossLam
Name Layers Depth Weight Weight Major Strength Direction Minor Strength Direction
(mm) (lbs) per (kg) per
CLT sq. ft sq. metre Fb Seff,0 EIeff,0 GAeff,0 Vr,0 Fb Seff,0 EIeff,0 GAeff,0 Vr,0
Grade (b) (106 N- (109 N- (106 (kN/m) (106 N- (109 N- (106 (kN/m)
mm/m) mm2/m) N/m) mm/m) mm2/m) N/m)

SLT3 3 layers 99 10.5 51.2 16 735 7.0 32 2.40 34 7.5 12

SLT5 5 layers 169 17.0 83.0 37 2,968 15 44 21 883 15 34

V2M1
SLT7 7 layers 239 25.0 122.0 67 7,559 22 56 48 3,360 23 46

SLT9 9 layers 309 32.0 156.2 105 15,351 30 68 84 8,282 30 58

(a) Tabulated values are Limit States design values and not permitted to be increased for the lumber size adjustment
factor in accordance with CSA O86.
(b) The CLT grades are developed based on ANSI/APA PRG 320, as permitted by the standard using all visually graded
No. 2 SPF lumber in both major and minor strength directions.

Specified Strengths and Modulus of Elasticity(a) for Structurlam CrossLam CLT

CLT Major Strength Direction Minor Strength Direction
Grade fb,0 E0 ft,0 fc,0 fv,0 fs,0 fb,90 E90 ft,90 fc,90 fv,90 fs,90
(MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa) (MPa)
V2M1 11.8 9,500 5.5 11.5 1.5 0.50 11.8 9,500 5.5 11.5 1.5 0.50
(a) Tabulated values are Limit States design values and not permitted to be increased for the lumber size adjustment
factor in accordance with CSA O86. The design values shall be used in conjunction with the section properties
provided by the CLT manufacturer based on the actual layup used in manufacturing the CLT panel (see Table
above).
Structurlam CLT Design Guide - Ver. 9 3
Panel Properties
Maximum Panel Size 3.0m x 12.2m (10’ X 40’)
Maximum Planed Panel Size 2.4m x 12.2m (8’ x 40’)
Maximum Thickness 309 mm
Production Widths 2.4m & 3.0m (8’ & 10’)
Panel Edges: ¼” chamfer on long edges
Moisture Content 12% (+/-2%) at time of production
Glue Specifications Purbond polyurethane adhesive
Wood Species SPF No.1/No. 2, other species available upon request
Squareness Panel face diagonals shall not differ by more than 3.2mm
Straightness Deviation of edges from a straight line between adjacent
panel corners shall not exceed 1.6 mm
Dimensional Tolerances
Thickness: +/- 1.6mm (1/16”) or 2% of the CrossLam thickness whichever is greater
Width: +/- 1.6 mm (1/16”) per foot (305 mm) of CrossLam width
Length: +/- 3.2 mm (1/8”) up to 6100 mm (20 ft) and +/- 3.2 mm (1/8”) for each
additional 6100 mm (20 ft) in length

Appearance Classification
Visual Non-Visual
• Intended use: A structural CLT panel that is • Intended Use: A structural CLT panel that is used
used where one or both faces are left exposed. where both faces are covered by another material.
• Internal Fibre Layers: SPF, NLGA Standard • Internal Fibre Layers: SPF, NLGA Standard Grading
Grading Rules “No. 2 Structural” characteristics. Rules “No. 2 Structural” characteristics.
• Face Layer: SPF, “J” Grade (Japanese Grade), • Face Layer: SPF, NLGA Standard Grading Rules “No. 2
Douglas-fir (L3 Grade). Structural” characteristics.

Allowable Fibre Characteristics Allowable Fibre Characteristics

• Shake and checks: Several up to 2 feet long, • Shake and checks: Allowed, shall not exceed 3’ or ¼
none through. the length.
• Stain: Up to a max of 5% blue stain, heart • Stain: Allowed, not limited.
stain allowed. • Knots: Firm & Tight (NLGA #2).
• Knots: Firm & Tight (NLGA #2) . • Pitch Streaks: Not limited.
• Pitch Streaks: Not limited. • Wane on Face: Minimal.
• Wane on Face: None. • Side Pressure on Faces: None.
• Side Pressure on Visual Face: Yes.

Structurlam CLT Design Guide - Ver. 9 4

Connection Details - Floor/Roof Panel Joints

3
2
1

4 5 ONE ROW OF SELF TAPPING SCREWS ON

1 EACH SIDE OF JOINT INSERTED AT AN
ANGLE OF 15 DEGREES.

6 2 PLYWOOD SPLINE IS 25mm THICK x

130mm WIDE.

3 ONE ROW OF SELF TAPPING SCREWS.

4 CONFIRM 90mm OVERLAP.

SHEAR FORCE TRANSMISSION FROM

5 PANEL TO PANEL. SCREW SIZE AND
SPACING AS REQUIRED FOR APPLICATION.
7

6 CROSSLAM PANEL.

BENT STEEL ANGLE. TWO ROWS OF

7 CONCRETE SCREWS FOR SHEAR FORCE
TRANSMISSION.

CONCRETE COMPONENT (WALL, CEILING,

8 8
SLAB).

BASE POINT SOLE BRACKET

5
 Connection Details - Panel to Panel
TYPICAL WALL TO FLOOR CONNECTIONS

2
1

1 CROSSLAM PANEL

2 OPTION FOR WALL INTERSECTION

3 JOINT SEALANT TYP

SELF TAPPING SCREW (Manufactured by: Assy,

4
SFS, Heco Topix, GRK, and Simpson Strong Tie).
7
5 MINIMUM 75mm LENGTH OF PENETRATION INTO
CONNECTED MEMBER.

BENT STEEL ANGLE. TWO ROWS OF SIMPSON

6 STRONG TIE ANGULAR RINGED NAILS STAGGER
EACH LEG.

FRAMING ANGLE. MINIMUM 1 AT EACH END OF

7 WALL AND MINIMUM 1 AT EACH DOOR OPENING.

6
 Connection Details - Panel to Panel
1 2

ANGLE WALL JOINT CORNER WALL JOINT T-WALL JOINT

4
1 SELF TAPPING SCREW.

MINIMUM 75mm LENGTH OF PENETRATION

2 INTO CONNECTED MEMBER.

EFFECTIVENESS OF SCREW CONNECTIONS

5 3 DIMINISH FOR VERY SHALLOW ANGLES.

SCREWS ABSORB SHEAR FORCES PARALLEL

4
TO BEARING OR WIND SUCTION FORCES.

5 FOR INCREASED FORCES TOWARDS THE

INSIDE USE FULLY THREADED SCREWS.

ROOF EXTERNAL WALL JOINT

Structurlam CLT Design Guide - Ver. 9 7

 Roof
CrossLam Roof Panel Load Table
MAX. SPAN (mm) ROOF SNOW LOAD (kPa, unfactored)

PANEL SIZE 1.1 1.6 2.2 2.9 3.3 8.5

TYPE (mm)
SLT3 99 4450 4120 3820 3550 3420 2510
single span

SLT5 169 6800 6360 5950 5570 5390 4050

SLT7 239 8920 8420 7920 7450 7220 5520
SLT9 309 10900 10330 9770 9230 8970 6940
SLT3 99 5400 4950 4550 4200 4050 2900
double

SLT5 169 4650

span

Double span is governed by maximum panel length of 12,190mm

SLT7 239 - design as simple span using table values above. 6095
SLT9 309

Notes:
1. Material is S-P-F No. 1/No. 2 for all laminations.
2. Outer laminations are 32mm thick; inner laminations are 35mm thick.
3. Specified modulus of elasticity and strength in major strength direction:
E0 = 9500 MPa; fb,0 = 11.8 MPa; fv,0 = 1.5 MPa; fvr,0 = 0.5 MPa; fc,0 = 11.5 MPa; ft,0 = 5.5 MPa
(ref: Table 5.3.1A of CSA-O86-09).
4. Specified modulus of elasticity and strength in minor strength direction:
E90 = 9500 MPa; fb,90 = 11.8 MPa; fv,90 = 1.5 MPa; fvr,90 = 0.5 MPa;
(ref: Table A3 ANSI/APA PRG 320).
5. Dead load includes panel self-weight plus 0.5 kPa roofing load.
6. Maximum span is governed by dead plus snow load deflection limit of L/300.
7. All spans are assumed to be equal for multi-span panels.
8. Spans shown represent distance between the centerlines of supports.
9. Maximum spans shown are only to be used for preliminary design.
10. Engineer to ensure that L/300 deflection limit is appropriate for intended use.
11. The following factors were used for calculations: KD = 1.0; KS = 1.0; KT = 1.0; KH = 1.0.
12. Shear stiffness has been reduced by 50% to account for creep deformation.
13. Snow load is based on BCBC 2006 with the following factors:
Is = 1.0 for ULS; Is = 0.9 for SLS; Cw = 1.0; CS = 1.0; Ca = 1.0.
 Floor
CrossLam Floor Panel Load Table
MAX. SPAN (mm) FLOOR LIVE LOAD (kPa, unfactored)
1.9 2.4 3.6 4.8 7.2
PANEL SIZE OFFICE/ MECHANICAL ASSEMBLY/
TYPE (mm) RESIDENTIAL CLASSROOM ROOM STORAGE LIBRARY
SLT3 99 3490 3490 3220 2980 2650
SLT5 169 4920 4920 4920 4730 4220
single
span

SLT7 239 6200 6200 6200 6200 5720

SLT9 309 7370 7370 7370 7370 7180
SLT3 99 3700 3700 3650 3350 2920
double

SLT5 169 5150 5150 5150 5150 4650

span

SLT7 239 6095

Double span is governed by maximum panel length of 12,190mm
SLT9 309 - design as simple span using table values above.

CrossLam Floor Panel Load Table with 2” (50mm) Concrete Topping

MAX. SPAN (mm) FLOOR LIVE LOAD (kPa, unfactored)
1.9 2.4 3.6 4.8 7.2
PANEL SIZE OFFICE/ MECHANICAL ASSEMBLY/
TYPE (mm) RESIDENTIAL CLASSROOM ROOM STORAGE LIBRARY
SLT3 99 3350 3230 2990 2800 2520
single span

SLT5 169 4920 4920 4730 4450 4030

SLT7 239 6200 6200 6200 6020 5480
SLT9 309 7370 7370 7370 7370 6890
SLT3 99 3700 3700 3420 3180 2820
SLT5 169 5150 5150 5150 5050 4500
double
span

SLT7 239 6095

Double span is governed by maximum panel length of 12,190mm
SLT9 309 - design as simple span using table values above.

Notes:
1. Material is S-P-F No.1/No.2 for all laminations.
2. Outer laminations are 32mm thick; inner laminations are 35mm thick.
3. Specified modulus of elasticity and strength in major strength direction:
E0 = 9500 MPa; fb,0 = 11.8 MPa; fv,0 = 1.5 MPa; fvr,0 = 0.5 MPa; fc,0 = 11.5 MPa; ft,0 = 5.5 MPa
(ref: Table 5.3.1A of CSA-O86-09).
4. Specified modulus of elasticity and strength in minor strength direction:
E90 = 9500 MPa; fb,90 = 11.8 MPa; fv,90 = 1.5 MPa; fvr,90 = 0.5 MPa;
(ref: Table A3 ANSI/APA PRG 320).
5. Dead load includes panel self-weight plus 1.0 kPa flooring load.
6. Bold text indicates span governed by vibration; regular text indicates span governed
by dead plus live load deflection limit of L/300.
7. All spans are assumed to be equal for multi-span panels.
8. Spans shown represent distance between the centerlines of supports.
9. Maximum spans shown are only to be used for preliminary design.
10. Engineer to ensure that L/300 deflection limit is appropriate for intended use.
11. The following factors were used for calculations: KD = 1.0; KS = 1.0; KT = 1.0; KH = 1.0. 9
 Wall
CrossLam Wall Panel Load Table (Axial Loading Only)
Panel SLT3 SLT5 SLT7 SLT9
d (mm) 99 169 239 309
L (m) Pr (kN/m)
2.0 385 699 949 1179
2.5 332 650 904 1134
3.0 276 599 861 1093
3.5 223 547 818 1054
4.0 178 494 773 1014
4.5 143 442 728 975
5.0 114 392 681 934
5.5 345 633 893
6.0 303 587 851
6.5 265 541 808
7.0 232 496 764
7.5 203 454 721
8.0 177 415 678
8.5 378 637
9.0 344 596

Notes:
1. Pr = Φ Fcb A Kzc KC
2. Material is S-P-F No.1/No.2 for all laminations.
3. Outer laminations are 32mm thick; inner laminations are 35mm thick.
4. Specified modulus of elasticity and strength in major strength direction:
E0 = 9500 Mpa; fb,0 = 11.8 Mpa; fv,0 = 1.5 Mpa; fvr,0 = 0.5 Mpa; fc,0 = 11.5 Mpa; ft,0 = 5.5 Mpa
(ref: Table 5.3.1A of CSA 086-09).
5. Specified modulus of elasticity and strength in minor strength direction:
E90 = 9500 Mpa; fb,90 = 11.8 Mpa; fv,90 = 1.5 Mpa; fvr,90 = 0.5 Mpa
(ref: Table A3 ANSI/APA PRG 320).
6. Wind load has not been included.
7. Where the Pr values are not given, the slenderness ratio exceeds 50 (maximum permitted; CSA 086-09).
8. The following factors were used for calculations: KD=0.65; KS=1.0; KT=1.0; KH=1.0; Ke=1.0.
9. Eccentricity of axial load has not been included.
10. Table values are to be used for preliminary design only.
 Shear Wall and Diaphragm Applications
CrossLam In-Plane Shear Loading
Panel SLT3 SLT5 SLT7 SLT9
d (mm) 99 169 239 309
Vr (kN/m)
95 190 285 380

Notes:
1. Computed values based on “In-Plane Shear Capacity and Verification Methods” by Prof. G. Schickhofer,
University of Graz.
2. Material is S-P-F No. 1/No. 2 for all laminations.
3. Outer laminations are 32mm thick; inner laminations are 35mm thick.
4. Specified modulus of strength: fv,clt,k = 5.0 Mpa; fT,clt,k = 2.5 Mpa
ref: “BSPhandbuch Holz-Massivbauweise in Brettsperrholz” Technical University of Graz).
5. The following factors were used for calculations: kmod = 0.8; ym = 1.25.
6. Minimum width of wood used in lay-up is 89mm.
7. Values are for SLT panel only, not for shear connectors.
8. Table values are to be used for preliminary design only.

Structurlam CLT Design Guide - Ver. 9 11

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Structurlam CLT Design Guide - Ver. 9