Federal government funds two EllisDon-led mass-timber research initiatives
The federal government has committed more than $660,000 to support two mass-timber research initiatives being led in part by EllisDon.
Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson announced the combined funding on July 20.
The government has committed $550,000 of the funding to the Hybrid Timber Floor System Project led by EllisDon and DIALOG.
The patent-pending system is an innovative approach to the existing concept of hybridizing structural materials. Through a mixture of different materials such as concrete and steel combined with mass timber, the system promises a reduction in carbon and an increase in building design possibilities.
As a composite of post-tensioned concrete, CLT and a structurally engaged topping, it also allows mass timber-based floor systems to be used in non-residential long-span construction that had previously been limited to traditional building materials.
"The buildings sector represents a significant source of Canada's emissions,” said Wilkinson. “The materials used to construct buildings are a big part of those emissions; using sustainable materials will help us achieve net-zero by 2050 in this sector and across the economy while accelerating the economic opportunities presented by the low-carbon building products."
According to a study currently being performed by EllisDon and DIALOG, the system means mass timber can be used to meet the clear spans often desired in the commercial and institutional sectors while delivering exposed finishes. This ability means greener construction options, meaningful use of local natural resources and benefits to the bio-economy.
That study is underway at EllisDon's modular fabrication facility, located in Stoney Creek, Ontario. The facility is an industrial building of over 27,000 square metres that is fully fit for prefabricated volumetric modules and panelized building components. The project will be completed later this year, with ongoing full-scale and long-term testing planned post-study.
"The hybrid panel presents a unique value proposition allowing for carbon sustainability, the ability for offsite prefabrication and long-span exposed ceilings desired by many commercial tenants,” said Mark Gaglione, EllisDon’s director of building and material sciences. “Thanks to the support of the Government of Canada, we are making exceptional progress to move toward a net-zero future by implementing sustainable construction materials in new and exciting applications."
The project is funded through the Green Construction through Wood Program, a program that encourages the greater use of wood in construction and supports Canada's transition to a low-carbon economy; and the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation, a program that supports its recipients in de-risking the implementation of innovation in the Canadian forest sector.
In a separate announcement, Wilkinson also announced federal funding of over $110,000 for EllisDon’s Mass Timber Modular System Project.
EllisDon has designed and constructed a prototype of a mass timber-based volumetric modular system that can be used in the delivery of various residential occupancies, including affordable housing, student housing, hotels and market housing sectors.
The project is examining the benefits of using mass timber in a modular application and is quantifying the efficiencies gained in production as well as the overall embodied carbon benefits over traditional materials. Not only does mass timber have environmental and production benefits, but its incorporation in modular construction methods has also inspired new and creative architectural styles.
EllisDon is also considering what this project could mean for affordable housing. The company has undertaken significant market analysis for affordable housing to understand the outlook for potential modular projects in the coming years and to align this project's outcomes with Canada's National Housing Strategy.
A full-scale mock-up of the project has recently been completed at EllisDon's Stoney Creek fabrication facility, with the overall project set to be finalized later this year.