Faceted Curve Cross-Laminated Timber Interlocking Angle-Planed and Kerf Curved Lamellas: Construction Principles, Prototype, Variants, Uses and Fabrications.

Abstract: This document presents a novel methodology for producing non-flat, faceted, threedimensionally profiled and curved cross-laminated timber elements. The structural elements relies on layered timber lamellas arranged in cross-directional geometry, where in one direction standard flat lamellas ―or finger-jointed lumber― are planed with an angle on their lateral faces. In the other direction, kerf-curved dimensional lumber ―or finger-jointed lumber― pieces are set, glued, nailed, doweled and/or screwed, interlocking thus the faceted geometry of the entire element in the correspondent plane. By kerf-curving lamellas with a desired angle, and a desired faceting distance that match with the width of the flat lamellas in the other direction, each panel-element can achieve any radius starting from around 50 cm. The disclosed methodology introduces both affordable equivalent variations ―where nails or dowels provide linkage and pressure to bond lamellas, with or without adhesive, without the use of heavy-duty pressing machines― and non-budget-limited variations where heavyduty machines can be used as per traditional CLT, on special faceted-curved molds, glued only, allowing to obtain panels that reach the full structural potential. Despite the affordable variations are pre-deemed as non-reaching-full-structural-potential, this document argues that the methodology for these variations are relevant since structural capacity handicap is compensated by the inherent advantages of curved elements for some load scenarios, the affordability issues, and biophilic neuro-architecture advantages that curved with small faceting can offer to society in general and certain users in particular. Applying geometric and material tests, the methodology provides a faceted curve, non-flat mass timber CLT alternative for load-bearing walls, partitions, vaulted roofs, slabs and selfsupporting envelopes.