StructureCraft’s Post

Our timber-concrete composite CLT stair will be presented at IASS 2024 in Zurich, hosted at ETH Zurich August 26-30. Mark Skepasts will tell the story of how this world-first structural concept came to be, including initial scheme exploration, parametric optimization, footfall analysis, testing, and fabrication/installation constraints. The stair featured several unique conditions, such as an unsupported 21.3m (70ft) clearspan requiring a high degree of stiffness (only possible with a composite solution) and the testing iterations that resulted in an optimal lamination thickness and bending radius. See our in-progress photos below, and make sure to attend Mark's presentation on August 28th at 9:30am as part of IASS 2024!

Mark Porter will speak on "Incorporating timber into your structure – how to ensure success" alongside colleagues from Whitby Wood and Elliott Wood - register here: https://lnkd.in/gUmrQVxS

Twenty-six unique glulam frames span up to 70ft across the Fraser Mills Presentation Centre, forming a sweeping, dramatic roof surface. In highly collaborative workshops involving Beedie and Patkau Architects, StructureCraft spearheaded the creation of the structural vision for the project, while ensuring adherence to the overall budget. Our engineers proposed design solutions that aligned with the architect's design intent, the strict functionality requirements of a presentation centre, and a tight budget, presenting a creative challenge under a rapid design and construction schedule. The preconstruction team at StructureCraft was deeply involved from the beginning, offering real-time costing feedback on the various structural and architectural options considered throughout the design process. We also provided constructability input to ensure the mass timber superstructure was designed for manufacture and assembly, and seamlessly integrated with the concrete foundations. This integration was particularly challenging due to the high hold-down loads, a result of the unique use of cantilevered Glulam columns that provided lateral stability for the structure. #StructuralEngineering #Coquitlam #TimberDesign #MassTimber #Freeform

The new Central Service Center replacement in Washington County, Minnesota is strategically designed to support the growing needs of the Woodbury area, enhancing the delivery of county services with a focus on sustainability, accessibility, and community engagement. The $30M facility's design includes enhanced wayfinding and accessibility features, as well as close proximity to major transit hubs. The 31,000 sqft Center, designed by Alliiance, features an open, sustainable design that utilizes mass timber throughout. Glulam framing supports Dowel-Laminated Timber floor and roof panels, with beams spanning up to 54 feet over the central double-height atrium space. The use of mass timber not only supports Washington County, Minnesota’s sustainability goals but also reduces the need for additional interior finishes. StructureCraft is honored to deliver this project in partnership with Kraus-Anderson and Alliiance. Our scope includes engineering, supply and installation of the complete mass timber superstructure. #MassTimber #TimberDesign #CommunityDesign

A timber-concrete composite spiral stair spanning 70' between two floors of an airplane-shaped museum. For KF Aerospace's Centre for Excellence, our structural engineers proposed a unique design concept: could we connect the two levels of a museum space with a free-standing spiral CLT stair. This posed significant structural challenges; the spiral shape requires the CLT to both bend and warp, and creates forces in a combination of strong- and weak- axis bending as well as torsion. The structure is comprised of doubly curved CLT with a concrete topping throughout the full spiral. Addition of the concrete provides the required mass to control vibrations in the 70ft long free span. Creating composite action between the concrete and the CLT significantly increases the overall stiffness of the stair, removing the requirement for any support columns and maintaining a highly aesthetic structure that serves as a welcoming showcase for the Centre. #StructuralEngineering #ComputationalDesign #TimberDesign Photos: Shawn Talbot