Gines, J A (2024) Mass timber utilization in architecture: Carbon sequestration, building materials and construction practices. PhD thesis, Mississippi State University, USA.
Abstract
The built environment must innovate and adopt new materials and construction practices in order to meet current and forecasted environmental challenges, economic uncertainties and construction pressures. The specification of mass timber materials and building assemblies will play a major role in addressing these issues. The objectives of this research are fourfold: 1) Develop a deeper understanding among construction professionals of the role mass timber buildings can have in greatly reducing CO2 emissions through the use of renewable forest products and the storage of carbon in buildings; 2) Provide insights into the utilization of mass timber products for architectural application that advance environmental sustainability – while moving toward continued industry acceptance and parity with other well-known structural materials (steel and concrete); 3) Expand current knowledge among architects, builders and developers of mass timber construction by examining and addressing the real-life challenges and benefits of mass timber implementation – including the environmental impacts, economic drivers and construction practices that promote architectural adoption; 4) Educate the construction industry to better understand the real “value” of mass timber construction and how best to implement mass timber products. Furthermore, the outcomes of this research will convey valuable information for future research that explores the architectural and environmental benefits associated with the implementation of mass timber; and can serve as a valuable tool for additional studies on how the construction industry might further innovate and evolve to meet the pressing demands of building development. The accomplish these research objectives, this dissertation will be divided into five sections: 1) Introduction; 2) Carbon matters: Evaluating the aggregated impact of sequestered carbon from projects in a mass timber architecture design studio; 3) Pioneering mass timber in Mississippi: Lessons learned and the carbon story of the Lost Rabbit mixed-use development; 4) Pioneering mass timber in Utah: Best practices, lessons learned and the carbon story of the Baltic Pointe commercial office building; and 5) Conclusion.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Doctoral) |
|---|---|
| Thesis advisor: | Franca, T |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | built environment; specification; sustainability; timber |
| Index terms: | forest, sequestration, specification, commercial office, builder, design studio, environmental impact, mass timber, lessons learned, environmental sustainability, CO2 emissions, best practice, construction professional, building material, built environment, architect, construction industry, implementation, dissertation |
| Subjects: | contractual condition, professional development, design practice, industry analysis, infrastructure and transport systems, profession, business, air quality, building materials, health safety and environment, environmental impact, climate science, practitioner, research dissemination and communication, construction type, environmental science, contractual arrangements |
| Topics: | Procurement, Sustainability, Health and Safety, Roles and Professions, Construction Technology, Business Strategy, Research Practice, Construction Materials, Information Management, Contract Administration, Design Practice, Urban Studies |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCT |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here