Revolutionary timber technology launched at UC
16 February 2011
A revolutionary new timber construction technology was launched at the University of Canterbury recently.
Mike Wilton (Mike Wilton Ltd) and Will Parker (Opus) take a tour of the new EXPAN building at UC.
A revolutionary new timber construction technology was launched at the University of Canterbury recently.
The launch event was the first in the EXPAN Lunchtime Series, an ongoing programme of activities to introduce the technology and its advances to architects, engineers, developers and others. EXPAN is a range of pre-stressed, prefabricated timber technologies developed by the Structural Timber Innovation Company (STIC), http://www.stic.co.nz/, a research consortium involving a number of UC researchers.
The launch was held in the re-constructed test building on the UC campus (next to the new Student Services Centre), after the building had been dismantled following severe but successful seismic testing in the UC Structural Engineering Laboratory. This building will become the new head office for STIC Ltd.
EXPAN, http://www.expan.co.nz/, offers all the benefits of steel and concrete, but with the flexibility, aesthetic benefits and sustainability of wood. The unique post-tensioned timber engineering technology developed at the University of Canterbury allows timber to be used in multi-storey and long span buildings - traditionally the preserve of concrete and steel. It also makes possible very open plan, flexible building layouts without the need for closely spaced columns or walls.
UC Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Town said the launch of the revolutionary new technology illustrated the power of commercial/academic partnerships, and the strength that each party contributes in bringing new technologies to life and to the wider economy.
UC Professor of Timber Design Andy Buchanan (Civil and Natural Resources Engineering), who is also Research Director for STIC, said that renewable post-tensioned timber can perform just as well as traditional materials for the main structural elements of multi-storey buildings. The first buildings using the new timber technology are under construction in Nelson and Wellington, with more expected soon in Australia and elsewhere in New Zealand.
"There is no reason why tall buildings cannot be designed and constructed in wood, with all the benefits of using a sustainable lightweight renewable material," said Professor Buchanan.
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