Innovative Dovetail Massive Wood Board Elements

Engineered wood products (EWPs) are gaining traction in construction industry due to their easy connection techniques, airtightness, and high rigidity. In EWPs, adhesives play a crucial role in protecting the wood, making the structures both lightweight and strong, while helping to mitigate the effects of natural moisture expansion and contraction. Though, the widespread use of adhesives has raised troubles about the sustainability, recyclability, and ecological impact of EWPs. There is growing interest in exploring alternative solutions, such as dovetailed massive wood board elements (DMWBE), which rely on traditional wood-to-wood joining methods without the use of adhesives or metal fasteners, offering improved indoor air quality and greater sustainability. Even though various research has examined the technical, environmental, and financial features of EWPs, little attention has been given to the evaluation of DMWBE’s technical performance in timber buildings. This study seeks to address the existing research gap by promoting the utilization of DMWBE, thereby fostering higher value-added opportunities within the circular economy. The goal is to enhance the competitiveness of Finnish industrial timber structures while supporting European climate objectives within the broader context of bio-economy and sustainable development initiatives.