Mass timber: Evaluating construction performance

Smith, R E; Griffin, G; Rice, T and Hagehofer-Daniell, B (2018) Mass timber: Evaluating construction performance. Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 14(1-2), pp. 127-138. ISSN 1745-2007

Abstract

This research investigates the added value or negative impact of mass timber construction (MTC) when compared with traditional site built construction. The project documented mass timber case studies and collected cost and schedule data for each built case from three stakeholders - architect, general contractor, and mass timber fabricator. This data were compared with site built cost and schedule performance data provided by cost estimation firm Cummings Corp. for building types of similar size. The study found that mass timber improves project cost when compared with traditional site built construction. In addition to the quantitative comparison, a survey protocol of qualitative opportunities and challenges associated with MTC was solicited from project stakeholders. This resulted in an analysis of frequent lessons learned and best practices for mass timber project delivery for to be taken into consideration by stakeholders.This research investigates the added value or negative impact of mass timber construction (MTC) when compared with traditional site built construction. The project documented mass timber case studies and collected cost and schedule data for each built case from three stakeholders - architect, general contractor, and mass timber fabricator. This data were compared with site built cost and schedule performance data provided by cost estimation firm Cummings Corp. for building types of similar size. The study found that mass timber improves project cost when compared with traditional site built construction. In addition to the quantitative comparison, a survey protocol of qualitative opportunities and challenges associated with MTC was solicited from project stakeholders. This resulted in an analysis of frequent lessons learned and best practices for mass timber project delivery for to be taken into consideration by stakeholders.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: construction performance; mass timber; lessons learned; case studies; construction; architectural engineering; delivery scheduling; timber; construction sites; added value; delivery contracts; timber construction; construction costs
Date Deposited: 11 Apr 2025 12:10
Last Modified: 11 Apr 2025 12:10