Washington State University Receives Grant for Research on Making Thermally Modified CLT More Resilient and Durable

Washington State University (WSU) researchers have received a two-year grant to make more resilient and durable housing materials from thermally modified cross-laminated timber (CLT) and recycled carbon fiber, the WSU Insider reported (2-21-24).

The WSU researchers—including Pouria Bahmani, an assistant professor, and Karl Englund, research professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, along with Hui Li, assistant research professor in the Composite Materials & Engineering Center—are collaborating with the Composite Recycling Technology Center (CRTC) in Port Angeles and the Construction Engineering Research Laboratory to explore ways to use advanced thermally modified CLT material in deployable structures, with a goal of extending its application to single- and two-story residential buildings.

The CRTC has been developing advanced CLT timber that uses thermally modified western hemlock in its formulation. Thermal modification makes the wood more resistant to decay and increases its durability.

As part of the project, the researchers will analyze the structure and materials and evaluate the possibility of mass-producing these panels—a one-of-a-kind initiative in the Pacific Northwest.

“One primary objective of this project is to develop methods for connecting the panels together, facilitating the construction of modular and deployable structures,” Bahmani told the WSU Insider. “We utilize steel connections and will conduct thorough testing to ensure the safety and durability of these structures.”

Researchers have been working to strengthen the thermally modified wood by adding repurposed carbon fiber composites to the CLT panels. Carbon fiber composite materials are used in many modern products, from aircraft parts to wind turbine blades to fishing rods.

“We are currently focused on exploring the thermal modification process for western hemlock species to create modular, durable, and deployable structures constructed from thermally treated CLT panels,” Bahmani told the WSU Insider.

The $360,000 grant is from the CRTC under their award from the US Department of Defense’s Army Corps of Engineers. Bahmani has also recently received a US Department of Housing and Urban Development grant to work on modular mass timber construction to increase housing affordability in the US, the WSU Insider reported.