ASTM Publication: Vertical Movement Monitoring in 4-Storey Wood Frame Building

LOCATION: British Columbia, Canada

COMPLETED: 2010-2011 INDUSTRY: Commercial

Details:

Vertical movement and lumber moisture content (MC) were monitored during the construction of a four-story wood frame residential building in the winter of 2010–2011 in coastal British Columbia, Canada. The work was part of a long-term study to assemble field performance information and validate movement prediction methods to assist in the design of five- and six-story wood frame buildings. The MC readings of dimensional lumber generally remained around 20 % on average before the building was completely protected from rain with its roof and wall sheathing membrane under rainy construction conditions. With the data collection started when the roof sheathing was installed and continued into occupancy of the building, the vertical movement was found to occur during the process of wood drying and the installation of non-structural elements such as drywall and cladding etc., which increased the local loads. The total movement amount, contributed by wood shrinkage, gap closure (settlement), and other factors, reached about 34 mm at an exterior wall, 43 mm at an interior hallway shear wall, and 45 mm at an interior partition wall, after a total monitoring period of 17 months. These values were fairly comparable to the values predicted from wood shrinkage alone for this building.

Included Sensors: