Implementation of demountable joint solutions for Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) elements

With growing awareness of sustainability and limited material resources, optimizing the geometry of structural elements has become essential—regardless of the material used. Recently, CLT panels with intentional gaps have attracted increasing research interest, offering innovative and efficient design possibilities for structural applications.

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is widely adopted in modern timber construction. However, manufacturing constraints often limit panel dimensions, making mechanical joints a crucial aspect of structural design. Various connection types have been explored in both research and practice, each influencing the overall performance of the structure.

The goal of this thesis is to evaluate and optimize demountable joint solutions for CLT elements. The work will involve:

Reviewing existing analytical models for predicting joint performance,
Developing and validating numerical simulation models to study the force transfer mechanisms, and
Proposing improved or novel joint configurations for enhanced structural efficiency and circularity.

Kontaktperson: PostDoc Elif Appavuravther, Byggnadsmekanik, LTH - elif.appavuravther@construction.lth.se