Version 1.1 XLam Australia Design Guide

XLam
Australian Cross Laminated

Timber Panel Structural
Guide
This pre-analysis guide provides key information necessary for the preliminary assessment
of XLam structures. It covers material properties, design principles, connections, and includes
pre -analysis span tables derived from extensive product testing.
XLam Australia Pty Ltd | www.xlam.com.au

Australian Design Guide
Use of this Structural Guide
Application
This design guide has been prepared for use by suitably qualified construction professionals to assist in the
design and specification of XLam panels. Products referred to in this document other than XLam panels are
presented for information purposes only and due regard should be given to the relevant Australian Standards
and other manufacturer's literature. Advice on overall building design issues including, but not limited to: stability,
loading, temporary stability during construction, fixings, waterproofing, fire engineering and overall acoustic
performance are not covered by this guide and advice should be sought from suitably qualified professionals.
It is the responsibility of the user to ensure that the use of this Design Guide is appropriate and to exercise their
own professional judgement when using the document. Full responsibility for the design and compliance with
the Building Code of Australia and all relevant Australian Standards rests with the design professional specifying
and certifying the product. XLam will not accept any liability for the failure of any other elements of the building
which cause a subsequent failure of an XLam product.
Structural Design in CLT

At present there are no structural codes in use around the world which cover the design of CLT, including AS1720.1
(Timber Structures: part 1 Design Methods). Therefore, the design of CLT is not covered under the deemed-to-
satisfy provisions of the BCA and it will be necessary for consulting engineers or XLam Design to certify the
design as part of a performance solution. Performance solutions are significantly more common than many
engineers might appreciate with some frequently used products, such as concrete anchors, not being covered
by an Australian Standard.
The primary difference for many design checks will come in the calculation of the section properties of the CLT
panel and more information is given later in this guide. The rest of the principles of strength and serviceability
checks closely follow the provisions laid out for the design of timber in AS1720.1.
The guide is aimed to provide a high-level overview of the structural design of a simple CLT building consisting of
walls, floors and roofs and covers many standard situations. Simple span tables for walls, floors, roofs and stairs
have been provided to give an indication of expected panel sizes for particular applications, although project
specific design checks will need to be completed for each. More detailed design information can be found in
XLam Technical Notes which are available by contacting XLam’s technical department.
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XLam Australia Design Guide V1 Australian Edition | July 2017
Updates and Version Control
This design guide is identified with a version number and date of issue. The latest issue is always on the
XLam website. Access to the XLam design guides requires user registration for the purpose of disseminating
updates. XLam will notify registered users of updates by email. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that the
latest version is in use at all times. Unless otherwise stipulated, the XLam design guides will be provided to
registered users in electronic format. Bound hard copies can be made available by XLam on request.
Structural Documentation & Certification Process

XLam strives to provide as much design and detailing assistance as our clients require. Our design phase
involvement varies significantly across projects depending on our clients' preferences.
1. Concept and scoping
At the concept stage, XLam Design can carry out a scoping design for the project. This service is intended to
provide high level advice on panel thicknesses and types to suit your project, as well as design considerations
and where other materials will be required. Our clients are welcome to take this concept to a consulting engineer
to complete the detailed design and construction documentation if preferred, the intention is to get the project off
on the right foot. We encourage our clients obtain our input early to ensure the design adopted is economical,
and suits both manufacturing and erection processes. The pre-analysis tables in this guide can be used at this
stage to inform the concept and scoping phase of projects, however project specific design is required for all
projects.
2. Detailed design and construction documentation
If the concept phase identifies CLT to be the preferred structural option, there are two options to proceed the
design:
1. Engage a suitably qualified consulting structural engineer to carry out the detailed design and construction
documentation for the entire project, including the CLT elements. In this instance, the structural certification would
be signed by the appointed consulting engineer for all structural elements.
2. Engage a suitably qualified consulting structural engineer to carry out the detailed design and construction
documentation for any non-timber elements in the project, and engage Xlam Design to carry out the design and
documentation of the timber and CLT elements. This is common practice, and we work in conjunction with your
consulting engineer to ensure a fully coordinated package. Two structural certifications would be issued, one by
the consulting engineer covering the elements they have designed, and one by XLam Design to cover the CLT and
other timber elements on the project.
The team at XLam Design has a vast background of CLT experience not only in Australia and New Zealand but
internationally. We strive to produce economical and buildable design solutions, leveraging off a comprehensive
understanding of the manufacturing and installation process. This understanding of the manufacturing and
installation process allows Xlam Design to detail panels and connections in the most efficient way possible,
reducing machining time and hence project CLT supply costs.
3. Shop detailing and supply of panels
After detailed design is completed, should the client wish to proceed with XLam for supply of panels, an
agreement would be entered into. This agreement would cover shop drawings and associated detailing based
on the construction documentation. In some instances, if XLam Design are engaged for the detailed design
phase, the detailed design process may overlap with the shop drawing phase, allowing us to expedite program.
This will depend on terms of engagement, and should be discussed with your sales representative.
2
XLam Structural Design Guide
XLam Panel Specification

XLam have manufacturing facilities in both Wodonga, directed by the client. Both factories use feedstock
Victoria and Nelson, New Zealand and the potential with similar characteristic properties and will have
to use panels from either facility exists on most XLam the same structural performance but are pressed
projects completed in Australia unless otherwise using different technology.
XLam Panel Properties

XLam will manufacture all panels in Australia from specifications below are met. XLam can manufacture
locally grown plantation pine. All material is supplied panel with the following feedstock thicknesses, in
to XLam pre-graded but we also conduct our own 20mm, 35mm and 45mm thick feedstock.
in house testing of the timber to ensure that the
Structural Properties (Timber Grade XLam Proprietary method) XLG1 XLG2
Structural Property External Lamellas Internal Lamellas
Modulus of Elasticity (parallel to the grain) 8000 MPa 6000 MPa
Bending Strength (parallel to the grain) fb,0 14.0 MPa 10.0 MPa
Compression Strength (parallel to grain) fc,0 18.0 Mpa 15.0 MPa
Compression Strength (perpendicular to grain) fc, 90 8.9 MPa 8.9 MPa
Tension Strength (parallel to grain) ft,0 6.0 MPa 4.0 MPa
Shear Strength (parallel to grain) fs,0 3.8 MPa 3.8 MPa
Rolling Shear Strength (perpendicular to grain) fs,90 1.2 Mpa 1.2 MPa
Shear Modulus (parallel to grain) G0 533 MPa 400 MPa
Rolling Shear Modulus (perpendicular to grain) GR 38 MPa 29 MPa
Mean Density γ 500 kg/m3 500 kg/m3
Note: Strength properties are given as a characteristic value, while stiffness and densities are given as mean
values as defined in AS/NZS 4063.
3
This guide provides a standard set of panel build-ups [options are 20mm, 35mm and 45mm] can be used
based on these sizes but within reason it is possible in any one panel].
to create any combination of these if required 3. A panel with a single 20mm central cross-layer is
provided a few rules are followed: difficult to handle and only used for non-structural
1. All panels must have layers alternating at 90 applications
degrees 4. Any non-standard panel sizes will not be covered
2. Structural sections must be symmetrical and an by our fire assessments
odd number of layers ( it is possible to add sacrificial
outer layers if required, only two thicknesses of
feedstock
4
XLam Standard Panel Sizes
Total
Panel Layer 1 Layer 2 Layer 3 Layer 4 Layer 5 Layer 6 Layer 7 Selfweight
Thickness
Designation (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (mm) (kPa)
(mm)
3 Layer Panels
CL3/85 20 45 20 85 0.4
CL3/105 35 35 35 105 0.5
CL3/115 35 45 35 115 0.6
CL3/125 45 35 45 125 0.6
CL3/135 45 45 45 135 0.7
5 Layer Panels
CL5/145 35 20 35 20 35 145 0.7
CL5/160 35 35 20 35 35 160 0.9
CL5/175 45 20 45 20 45 175 1.0
CL5/195 45 35 35 35 45 195 1.1
CL5/205 45 35 45 35 45 205 1.2
CL5/225 45 45 45 45 45 225
7 Layer Panels
CL7/245 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 245 1.3
CL7/265 45 35 35 35 35 35 45 265 1.4
CL7/275 45 35 35 45 35 35 45 275 1.4
CL7/295 45 35 45 45 45 35 45 295 1.6
CL7/315 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 315 1.7
5
CLT Section Properties

The structural performance of CLT is relatively There are several different methods of calculating
unique due to the deformation caused by the cross- the section properties of a CLT panel adopted
layers’ relative shear stiffness. This phenomenon, around the world, most of which end up at an answer
known as rolling shear, reduces the effectiveness of within a few percent of each other. XLam has used
the outer layers and hence the section properties of the Shear Analogy Method in the development of
CLT panels. It is crucial that this is accounted for in the span tables contained in this document and
the design of CLT. more information on this model and others can be
obtained through XLam’s technical department.
G = 10 * Grollingshear
G rollingshear
G u
Floor and Roof Design

The design of most CLT floors will be governed by serviceability requirements (typically deflection and vibration)
and it is rare for a design to push the structural capacity of the panels unless there are large openings or notches.
The choice of appropriate limits for deflections or vibration performance will be subjective and dependent on
project specific requirements. It is important for designers to be aware of the limits chosen to produce the span
tables contained in this guide so that designers can make judgement on their suitability for specific projects. For
floor and roof panels, the outer layers need to be oriented in the direction of the span. Panels do have minor
direction bending stiffness, however this bending stiffness is greatly reduced.
6
Vibration
The dynamic performance of a floor is governed by three factors: stiffness (stiffer floors perform better), mass
(heavier floors perform better) and damping (floors with additional layers, furniture etc. perform better). Timber
is a relatively lightweight form of construction and therefore requires more consideration of vibration in design
than a more conventional concrete floor. In most commercial scale buildings CLT floor design will be governed
by vibration so these checks are important to carry out to ensure the performance of the floor meets client
expectations.
Human perception of vibration is subjective issue and different people will experience varied responses to the
same floor vibration, particularly depending on what activity they are engaged in. Different criteria will apply to
residential buildings when compared to offices, for example, and various parameters are well published across
the world.
The pre-analysis tables contained within this document have been prepared using the following vibration criteria
based on research into long span timber floors carried out in Europe. Further references and information can be
made available for designers wishing to understand these checks in more detail. It should be noted that these
checks are relatively stringent and another set of tables with some more relaxed limits is published in XLam
Technical Note XLTN-5.3.
1. The natural frequency of the floor is checked based on the dead load of the floor (including super-
imposed dead loads). If the natural frequency is greater than 8Hz then skip to step 3.
2. If natural frequencies are lower than 8Hz then a more detailed determination of the acceleration is made
based on the following equation
Where:
• P0 = 700N (mass of one person)
• ai = Fourier coefficient
• f1 = natural frequency
• fF = forcing frequency
• D = Damping (taken as 1.5% for a lightly finished floor)
• Mgen = Generalised mass Mgen = m L/2 be f f
Fundamental Frequency, f1 Hz Fourier Coefficients a1 Forcing Frequency fF Hz
3.4 < f1 < 4.6 0.2 f1
4.6 < f1 < 5.1 0.2 f1
5.1 < f1 < 6.9 0.006 f1
f1 > 6.9 0.006 6.9
7
3. Check the deflection of the floor under a 1kN point load is less than 1mm based on an effective floor
width of beff
Where:
• EIT = Transverse stiffness of panel
• EIL = Longitudinal stiffness of panel
For Cantilevers, the pre-analysis tables provide cantilever spans that satisfy both of these requirements:
1. Natural frequency of floor is checked based on the dead load of the floor (including super-imposed dead
loads). The natural frequency must be greater than 8Hz
2. The cantilever is checked for a 1kN point load on its tip, and a maximum 1.5mm deflection is allowed for.
Deflection
The allowable deflection of floor and roof panels is dependent on the application, type of finishes and any other
building elements supported by them. These requirements need to be understood prior to the design. The shear
deformation of timber can be a significant proportion of the overall deflection of a floor or roof and this therefore
needs to be considered. The Shear Analogy method used by XLam to develop the tables in this document
includes this within its calculation method.
Similarly to concrete, timber is a material which creeps over time and the long term deflection of a floor should
be calculated. Both the duration of loading and moisture content of the timber is important to the long-term
deflection of the panel. AS1720.1 uses a modification factor for the long-term deflection of timber ( j2) which
provides a multiplier for use in calculations. For timber with a moisture content of 15% or less the maximum j2
factor is 2 which has been used in the development of all span tables contained in this document. XLam does
not recommend the use of their panels in any environments where the moisture content is greater than 15%.
Refer to the 'CLT and Other Structural Materials' section for deflection considerations when using CLT with other
structural materials.
8
Pre-Analysis Span Tables

Floor Span Table Notes
Terminology
G = Dead Load (inclusive of superimposed dead load and panel self-weight)
GSDL = Superimposed dead load (floor finishes / ceiling etc.)
Q = Live Load
Wu = Wind ultimate
Ws = Wind service
• Self-weight of the panels is included within the tables. All additional applied dead loads should be included
in the value chosen for GSDL
• Span tables assume uniformly distributed loads across the whole panel and no pattern loading has been
accounted for.
• Any penetrations or routing of panels could reduce the allowable spans in these tables
• The cantilever design assumes a backspan of 1.5 times the cantilever length. Different backspan lengths can
have a large effect on the cantilever span.
• Pattern live loading on the cantilever and backspan has not been considered in these tables. These tables
account only for the uniform load on both cantilever and backspan.
• Long term deflection factors are taken as j2 = 2 for all situations.
• These tables assume panels are supported on walls, and do not consider compound deflections if panels are
supported on beams or spanning elements. Refer to "CLT and other structural materials" section for limitations
when using with other structural materials.
Floor deflection checks included for in the tables:
Case Span Cantilever
Short-term dead, δG Span/200 Span/200
Short-term live, δQ Span/360 Span/200
Long-term dead and live j2(G+0.4Q), δLT:G+Q Span/300 or 25mm Span/200
9
Floor Simply-Supported [maximum panel span in metres]
Panel Q = 2kPa Q = 3kPa Q = 5kPa

Designation SDL SDL SDL
OkPa 0.5kPa 1kPa 2kPa OkPa 0.5kPa 1kPa 2kPa OkPa 0.5kPa 1kPa 2kPa
3 Layer Panels
CL3/85 2.8 2.8 2.5 2.2 2.7 2.6 2.4 2.1 2.3 2.3 2.1 1.9
CL3/105 3.4 3.4 3.2 2.8 3.4 3.3 3.1 2.7 2.9 2.9 2.8 2.5
CL3/115 4.1 3.8 3.5 3.1 3.9 3.5 3.3 2.9 3.2 3.2 3 2.7
CL3/125 4.2 4.2 3.8 3.4 4.2 3.9 3.6 3.2 3.5 3.5 3.3 3
CL3/135 4.9 4.4 4.1 3.6 4.5 4.1 3.9 3.4 3.8 3.7 3.5 3.2
5 Layer Panels
CL5/145 5.1 4.6 4.3 3.8 4.7 4.4 4.1 3.7 4 3.9 3.7 3.4
CL5/160 5.4 4.9 4.5 4 5 4.6 4.3 3.9 4.3 4.1 3.9 3.6
CL5/175 5.9 5.3 4.9 4.4 5.6 5.2 4.9 4.4 4.9 4.7 4.5 4.1
CL5/195 6.2 5.6 5.2 4.7 6 5.6 5.2 4.7 5.3 5.1 4.8 4.4
CL5/205 6.4 5.8 5.4 4.9 6.2 5.8 5.4 4.9 5.6 5.3 5 4.6
CL5/225 6.6 6.1 5.7 5.1 6.6 6.1 5.7 5.1 5.9 5.6 5.4 4.9
7 Layer Panels
CL7/245 6.8 6.2 5.9 5.3 6.8 6.2 5.9 5.3 6.2 5.8 5.6 5.2
CL7/265 7.2 6.7 6.3 5.7 7.2 6.7 6.3 5.7 6.8 6.4 6.2 5.7
CL7/275 7.4 6.8 6.4 5.8 7.4 6.8 6.4 5.8 7 6.6 6.3 5.8
CL7/295 7.6 7.1 6.7 6.1 7.6 7.1 6.7 6.1 7.4 7 6.7 6.1
CL7/315 7.8 7.3 6.9 6.3 7.8 7.3 6.9 6.3 7.6 7.3 6.9 6.3
10
Floor Continuous [maximum panel span in metres, double equal span]

3 Layer Panels
CL3/85 4.1 3.3 3.0 2.6 3.6 3.3 3.0 2.6 2.9 2.9 2.8 2.5
CL3/105 4.7 3.9 3.5 3.1 4.7 3.9 3.5 3.1 3.8 3.8 3.5 3.1
CL3/115 4.9 4.1 3.7 3.2 4.9 4.1 3.7 3.2 4.2 4.1 3.7 3.2
CL3/125 5.1 4.4 4.0 3.5 5.1 4.4 4.0 3.5 4.6 4.4 4.0 3.5
CL3/135 5.3 4.6 4.1 3.6 5.3 4.6 4.1 3.6 4.9 4.6 4.1 3.6
5 Layer Panels
CL5/145 5.4 4.7 4.3 3.8 5.4 4.7 4.3 3.8 5.2 4.7 4.3 3.8
CL5/160 5.5 4.9 4.5 4.0 5.5 4.9 4.5 4.0 5.5 4.9 4.5 4.0
CL5/175 5.9 5.3 4.9 4.4 5.9 5.3 4.9 4.4 5.9 5.3 4.9 4.4
CL5/195 6.2 5.6 5.2 4.7 6.2 5.6 5.2 4.7 6.2 5.6 5.2 4.7
CL5/205 6.4 5.8 5.4 4.9 6.4 5.8 5.4 4.9 6.4 5.8 5.4 4.9
CL5/225 6.6 6.1 5.7 5.1 6.6 6.1 5.7 5.1 6.6 6.1 5.7 5.1
7 Layer Panels
CL7/245 6.8 6.2 5.9 5.3 6.8 6.2 5.9 5.3 6.8 6.2 5.9 5.3
CL7/265 7.2 6.7 6.3 5.7 7.2 6.7 6.3 5.7 7.2 6.7 6.3 5.7
CL7/275 7.4 6.8 6.4 5.8 7.4 6.8 6.4 5.8 7.4 6.8 6.4 5.8
CL7/295 7.6 7.1 6.7 6.1 7.6 7.1 6.7 6.1 7.6 7.1 6.7 6.1
CL7/315 7.8 7.3 6.9 6.3 7.8 7.3 6.9 6.3 7.8 7.3 6.9 6.3
11
Floor Cantilever [maximum cantilever in metres]

[No allowance for any point load on cantilever]

3 Layer Panels
CL3/85 1 1 1 0.9 1 1 0.9 0.9 1 0.9 0.9 0.8
CL3/105 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.1 1.3 1.2 1.1 1 1.2 1.1 1.1 1
CL3/115 1.5 1.3 1.3 1.1 1.4 1.3 1.2 1.1 1.2 1.2 1.1 1
CL3/125 1.6 1.4 1.4 1.2 1.5 1.4 1.3 1.2 1.3 1.3 1.2 1.1
CL3/135 1.6 1.5 1.4 1.3 1.5 1.4 1.3 1.2 1.4 1.3 1.2 1.2
5 Layer Panels
CL5/145 1.7 1.6 1.5 1.3 1.6 1.5 1.4 1.3 1.4 1.4 1.3 1.2
CL5/160 1.8 1.6 1.5 1.4 1.7 1.5 1.5 1.3 1.5 1.4 1.4 1.3
CL5/175 1.9 1.8 1.7 1.5 1.8 1.7 1.6 1.5 1.7 1.6 1.5 1.4
CL5/195 2 1.9 1.8 1.6 1.9 1.8 1.7 1.6 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.5
CL5/205 2.1 1.9 1.8 1.7 2 1.8 1.8 1.6 1.8 1.7 1.6 1.5
CL5/225 2.1 2 1.9 1.7 2 1.9 1.8 1.7 1.9 1.8 1.7 1.6
7 Layer Panels
CL7/245 2.2 2.1 2 1.8 2.1 2 1.9 1.7 1.9 1.8 1.8 1.7
CL7/265 2.3 2.2 2.1 1.9 2.2 2.1 2 1.9 2 2 1.9 1.8
CL7/275 2.4 2.2 2.1 2 2.3 2.1 2 1.9 2.1 2 1.9 1.8
CL7/295 2.5 2.3 2.2 2 2.4 2.2 2.1 2 2.2 2.1 2 1.9
CL7/315 2.5 2.4 2.3 2.1 2.4 2.3 2.2 2 2.2 2.1 2.1 1.9
12

Roof Pre-Analysis Span Table Notes
Terminology
G = Dead Load (inclusive of superimposed dead load and panel self-weight)
GSDL = Superimposed dead load (floor finishes / ceiling etc.)
Q = Live Load
Wu = Wind ultimate
Ws = Wind service
• Selfweight of the panels is included within the tables. All additional applied dead loads should be included in
the value chosen for GSDL
• Span tables assume uniformly distributed loads across the whole panel and no pattern loading has been
accounted for.
• Any penetrations or routing of panels could reduce the allowable spans in these tables
• The cantilever design assumes a backspan of 1.5 times the cantilever length. Different backspan lengths can
have a large effect on the cantilever span.
• Long term deflection factors are taken as j2 = 2 for all situations.
• Roof tables include for the following:
• Ultimate wind loads of 1.3kPa (uplift) and 0.55kPa (down)
• Serviceability wind loads of 0.9kPa (uplift) and 0.4kPa (down)
• No allowance is made for snow loading in the design tables
• Refer to "CLT and Other Structural Materials" section for limitations when using other structural
materials. Floor panels are assumed to be supported on walls.
Roof deflection checks included for in the tables:
Case Span Cantilever
Short-term dead, δG Span/300 Span/150
Short-term live, δQ Span/300 Span/150
Wind load (uplift), δws Span/300 Span/150
Long-term dead and live j2(G+0.4Q), δLT:G+Q Span/300 or 25mm Span/150
Short-term dead and wind (G+0.7Ws), δG+Ws Span/300 Span/150
13

Roof Simply-Supported [maximum panel span in metres]
Panel Q = 0.25kPa Q = 1kPa Q = 2kPa

OkPa 0.5kPa 1kPa OkPa 0.5kPa 1kPa OkPa 0.5kPa 1kPa
3 Layer Panels
CL3/85 4.1 3.4 2.9 3.6 3.1 2.7 3.2 2.8 2.5
CL3/105 5.2 4.2 3.7 4.5 3.9 3.5 4 3.5 3.2
CL3/115 5.5 4.5 4 4.8 4.2 3.7 4.3 3.8 3.5
CL3/125 5.9 4.9 4.3 5.2 4.5 4.1 4.7 4.2 3.8
CL3/135 6.2 5.2 4.6 5.5 4.8 4.4 4.9 4.4 4.1
5 Layer Panels
CL5/145 6.4 5.4 4.8 5.7 5 4.6 5.1 4.6 4.3
CL5/160 6.6 5.7 5.1 6 5.3 4.8 5.4 4.9 4.5
CL5/175 7.3 6.4 5.7 6.7 6 5.5 6.1 5.5 5.1
CL5/195 7.6 6.7 6.1 7.1 6.3 5.8 6.5 5.9 5.5
CL5/205 7.8 7 6.3 7.3 6.6 6.1 6.7 6.1 5.7
CL5/225 8.1 7.4 6.7 7.6 7 6.4 7.1 6.5 6.1
7 Layer Panels
CL7/245 8.2 7.5 6.9 7.8 7.2 6.6 7.3 6.7 6.3
CL7/265 8.7 8 7.6 8.3 7.7 7.3 7.8 7.4 6.9
CL7/275 8.8 8.2 7.7 8.4 7.9 7.5 8 7.5 7.1
CL7/295 9 8.5 8 8.7 8.2 7.8 8.3 7.9 7.5
Cl7/315 9 8.7 8.2 8.9 8.4 8 8.5 8.1 7.7
14

Roof Continuous [maximum panel span in metres]

3 Layer Panels
CL3/85 5.4 4.5 3.8 4.8 4 3.6 4.2 3.7 3.3
CL3/105 6.9 5.6 4.9 6 5.1 4.6 5.3 4.7 4.2
CL3/115 7.3 6 5.2 6.4 5.5 4.9 5.6 5 4.6
CL3/125 7.7 6.5 5.7 6.9 6 5.4 6.1 5.5 5
CL3/135 8 6.9 6.1 7.3 6.3 5.7 6.5 5.8 5.3
5 Layer Panels
CL5/145 8.2 7.2 6.4 7.6 6.7 6 6.8 6.1 5.7
CL5/160 8.4 7.5 6.7 7.8 7 6.3 7.1 6.4 5.9
CL5/175 9 8.2 7.6 8.5 7.8 7.2 7.9 7.3 6.8
CL5/195 9 8.5 7.9 8.8 8.1 7.6 8.2 7.7 7.2
CL5/205 9 8.7 8.1 9 8.3 7.8 8.5 7.9 7.5
CL5/225 9 9 8.5 9 8.7 8.2 8.8 8.3 7.8
7 Layer Panels
CL7/245 9 9 8.7 9 8.9 8.4 9 8.5 8.1
CL7/265 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 8.6
CL7/275 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 8.8
CL7/295 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
Cl7/315 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
15
Roof Cantilever [maximum cantilever in metres]

[No allowance for any point load on cantilever]

3 Layer Panels
CL3/85 1.9 1.6 1.4 1.6 1.4 1.2 1.4 1.2 1.1
CL3/105 2.3 1.9 1.7 2 1.8 1.6 1.8 1.6 1.5
CL3/115 2.3 2 1.8 2.1 1.9 1.7 1.9 1.7 1.6
CL3/125 2.5 2.2 2 2.2 2 1.9 2 1.9 1.7
CL3/135 2.6 2.3 2.1 2.3 2.1 2 2.1 2 1.8
5 Layer Panels
CL5/145 2.6 2.3 2.1 2.4 2.2 2 2.2 2 1.9
CL5/160 2.7 2.4 2.2 2.5 2.3 2.1 2.3 2.1 2
CL5/175 2.9 2.6 2.4 2.7 2.5 2.3 2.5 2.3 2.2
CL5/195 3 2.7 2.5 2.8 2.6 2.4 2.6 2.4 2.3
CL5/205 3.1 2.8 2.6 2.9 2.7 2.5 2.7 2.5 2.4
CL5/225 3.2 2.9 2.7 3 2.8 2.6 2.8 2.6 2.5
7 Layer Panels
CL7/245 3.3 3 2.8 3 2.8 2.7 2.8 2.7 2.6
CL7/265 3.5 3.2 3 3.2 3 2.9 3 2.9 2.8
CL7/275 3.5 3.2 3 3.3 3.1 2.9 3.1 2.9 2.8
CL7/295 3.6 3.4 3.2 3.4 3.2 3.1 3.2 3.1 2.9
Cl7/315 3.7 3.4 3.2 3.5 3.3 3.1 3.3 3.1 3
16
Wall Design
Vertical Load Design
CLT walls have high vertical load capacity when compared to more traditional timber structures and this has enabled
the construction of otherwise not possible tall timber buildings. In the majority of cases the CLT wall should be designed
so that the outer layers are vertical and the grain of the majority of the cross-section is running in the direction of the
applied load. The cross-layers running perpendicular to the load are ignored in the axial design checks for the wall,
although they can be useful to form lintel or header panels above doors and windows.
Section properties can again be calculated through several methods and the design checks are covered in detail in
the FP Innovations guide. The capacity of the walls is governed by their slenderness which can be calculated through
the equations for composite cross-sections in AS1720.1, E4.4. The design capacities presented in this guide have been
calculated using these methods. Slender walls will naturally be more sensitive to issues like eccentric loading and
construction imperfections and a suitable allowance for these should be made in the design.
When designing a multi-storey building for vertical loads consideration must be given to the floor connection and how
loads are transferred through the floor. The most common form of CLT construction (known as platform construction)
uses wall panels measuring a storey in height, and the floor is continuous over the top of them. This will cause
compression across the grain in the floor panels, and this is significantly weaker and less stiff than the walls. For high
loads or buildings more than five stories in height, we recommend the stiffness should be calculated. A significant
proportion of the overall shortening of the building could come from the floor and this may need to be controlled
through detailing during the structural design process. Please contact us for further guidance on detailing in these
locations.
Lateral Load Design

The light weight and high shear resistance of CLT panels enable CLT buildings to be designed for excellent resistance
to earthquakes. As with other materials in moderate or high seismic regions, it is essential to carry out “capacity
design” to ensure that the brittle elements of the structure are never loaded to their full capacity, and that inelastic
deformations occur in selected ductile elements; the weak links in the overall structure.
For CLT structures, it is essential to design the connections between panels as the ductile weak links. A hierarchy of
strength can be applied between the various connections to ensure that the desired failure mechanism is achieved.
Diaphragm capacity must also be checked to ensure the load can be sufficiently distributed to the lateral load resisting
system.
Ductility in the connections comes from ductile behaviour of the fasteners themselves, which are the nails, screws or
rivets used to connect the CLT panels together. These fasteners have a reasonable level of ductility, but their capacity
can drop suddenly after the individual fasteners fail and crushing of wood occurs behind the individual fasteners
during cyclic loading. This results in a very pinched hysteresis loop. Design for a higher level of ductility may be
possible with ductile yielding of specialised hold-downs rather than relying on yielding of the nail or screw fixings.
However, until further testing is carried out, it is suggested the designer uses conventional connection details which
have been well tested for ductility (e.g. nails, dowels or rivets).
Depending on the support conditions and location of the wall, the reduction on axial capacity can be significant
with combined axial and bending actions. The axial capacity span tables apply an accidental eccentricity of 10% of
the wall thickness. Although the capacity tables provide guidance, CLT wall structures must be subject to specific
engineering design.
17
Pre-Analysis Axial Capacity Tables
Wall Capacity [maximum axial capacity in kN per metre]
Panel Wall Height

Designation
3 Layer Panels 2.8m 3.00m 3.50m 4.0m
CL3/85 129 115 85 71
CL3/105 250 226 171 144
CL3/115 302 274 209 178
CL3/125 386 352 272 231
CL3/135 446 412 321 275
5 Layer Panels
CL5/145 505 467 364 312
CL5/160 565 526 416 358
CL5/175 756 713 590 512
CL5/195 812 776 670 602
CL5/205 883 846 736 665
CL5/225 953 919 817 751
7 Layer Panels
CL7/245 858 841 760 707
CL7/265 1021 1004 932 874
CL7/275 1043 1027 967 910
CL7/295 1147 1130 1077 1020
CL7/315 1167 1152 1104 1064
Note: The combined loading check completed in calculating the values in the table
above allows for moment induced by eccentricity in addition to a simultaneous wind
load of 0.5kPa.
18
CLT Connections
Much of the engineering in a CLT building is focussed on the connections between panels. XLam is committed
to assisting where possible and have made available on their website a set of their most used typical details in
both CAD and Revit format. These details are based on XLam's depth of experience on past projects and are
intended to streamline the manufacturing and installation process. Utilising these details will ensure economical
manufacturing costs for our clients and ease of assembly on-site. There are many suppliers who have developed
products tailor-made for CLT and mass timber construction and have some excellent technical literature available
which makes design simpler for the engineer. XLam can procure proprietary fixings from these suppliers and
could also arrange for the fabrication of other custom brackets and fixings if the project requires them.
CLT fixing suppliers:

• Rothoblaas
• Sherpa
• Simpson Strongtie
• Spax
Screw Connections
The capacity of screw connections is calculated using the European Yield Method (EYM) in Eurocode 5. The
EYM considers a number of different failure mechanisms based on the shear capacity of the timber and the yield
strength of the fastener.
Generally, self-tapping wood screws are recommended for connecting CLT floor and wall elements together.
The screws come in a variety of lengths and diameters either fully threaded, or partially threaded, and do not
require pre-drilling. Provided no thread extends beyond the receiving panel, partially threaded screws are able
to pull the panels tight together, but fully threaded screws provide greater shear and withdrawal capacities.
If fully threaded screws are required for additional strength, it is recommended that panels be firstly pulled tight
together using partially threaded screws.
The appropriate European Technical Approval (ETA) documentation specific to each screw supplier shall be
used to determine the specific characteristic strengths. The capacity of each specific screw may vary slightly
from each screw supplier. Higher shear capacities can be achieved using steel to timber connections, timber in
double shear, or greater embedment depths.
Panel to Panel Connections
Solid CLT panels are typically fixed together with a half lap joint connection. The screw spacing at the joint
should be specified to resist the shear flow between panels to achieve diaphragm action. It is recommended that
partially threaded screws are specified to ensure the panels are pulled tight together during site assembly. The
half lap joint can resist transverse loading but is not considered to be a moment-resisting connection.
Partially Threaded Screw
19
Wall and Floor Fixings
Wall-to-wall fixings and floor-to-wall fixings can also be efficiently achieved using engineered wood screws.
However, the capacity of screws on the narrow edge is less than in the face grain orientation. Again it is
recommended that partially threaded screws are specified to help pull the panels tight together.
Partially Threaded Screw
10d minimum
Durability of Fixings
It is recommended that designers consult with the manufacturer of screws, nails and proprietary brackets to
ensure they have sufficient coatings to ensure a design life that exceeds the building design life. Wood Solutions
"Timber Service Life Design" publication provides very detailed information and methods to assess the suitability
of fixings for durability.
Designers should pay careful attention to fixings in wet areas and fixings that are externally exposed, and
design accordingly. Consideration should also be given to screws and fixings being used in treated panels. As
an example, based on the Wood Solutions publication a typical screw with 12 microns of galvanic protection
could have a design life of less than 5 years in treated timber panels, depending on the location in Australia and
application. Coating technology is advancing, and some manufacturers have their own proprietary protection
systems and can provide test results and advice for design life of these products.
20
Edge Distance Diagrams
The following recommended edge distances are as specified in the Spax European Technical Approval
(ETA - 12/0114) and are presented in this document for guidance only. Self tapping screws of the same length
and diameter from different suppliers may have different capacities and edge distance requirements. Reference
must be made to the ETA specific to each supplier.
Screw Edge Distance Requirements

Face Grain On Edge
Minimum panel thickness tmin = 10d tmin = 10d
Spacing a1 parallel to grain a1 = 4d a1 = 10d
Spacing a2 perpendicular to grain a2 = 2.5d a2 = 4d
Distance a3,c to unloaded end grain a3,c = 6d a3,c = 7d
Distance a3,t to loaded end grain a3,t = 6d a3,t = 12d
Distance a4,c to unloaded edge a4,c = 2.5d a4,c = 3d
Distance a4,t to loaded edge a4,t = 6d a4,t = 6d
Edges Distances
While the yielding failure mode of the fastener is a dominant failure mechanism, there is potential for brittle block
tear-out failure, or tensile splitting of the timber. Care must be taken when specifying minimum edge distances
of the fasteners.
a3,t a3,c
a1
a2 F F
a4,c a4,c
a4,c a4,t
a3,t
a3,c
a1 a1
a4,c a3,c a3,c
F
a4,t
F
t CLT
t CLT
21
AirStair
The design of the AirStair follows a similar methodology to floor panels, with the exception that no long term live
load is expected for stairs. The formula for deflection therefore becomes:
j2(G) + 0.7Q < span/400
Where G is the self-weight of the AirStair panel, including the mass of the treads. The vibration checks are the
same as outlined in the floor design section of this document.
Connection details shown are suitable for single occupancy residential dwellings only. Connection details for
stairs in multistorey commercial or residential structures must take into account requirements for sliding, inter-
storey drift, and construction tolerance.
The billet for an Airstair is made at the thickness of the tread, plus the riser thickness, and the voids are cut away
using a circular saw. The panel designations are the throat thickness. E.g. A CL3/105 Airstair has a 105mm throat
AirStair Typical Connection Details
Partially threaded screw Partially threaded screw
Landing Landing
Airstair
Airstair
B
T B
T
T = throat thickness B = tread and riser thickness
22

Airstair [maximum span on incline in metres]
Panel Q = 0.2kPa Q = 4kPa

Designation SDL SDL
OkPa 0.25kPa 0.5kPa OkPa 0.25kPa 0.5kPa
3 Layer Panels
CL3/85 2.9 2.8 2.7 2.6 2.5 2.4
CL3/105 3.7 3.5 3.4 3.3 3.2 3.1
CL3/115 4 3.8 3.6 3.5 3.4 3.3
CL3/125 4.4 4.2 4 3.9 3.8 3.6
CL3/135 4.6 4.4 4.3 4.1 4 3.9
5 Layer Panels
CL5/145 4.8 4.6 4.5 4.3 4.2 4.1
CL5/160 5.1 4.9 4.7 4.6 4.5 4.3
CL5/175 5.7 5.5 5.3 5.2 5.1 4.9
CL5/195 5.9 5.7 5.5 5.6 5.4 5.3
CL5/205 6.1 5.9 5.7 5.8 5.6 5.5
CL5/225 6.7 6.5 6.3 6.2 6 5.8
7 Layer Panels
CL7/245 7 6.7 6.5 6.4 6.2 6.1
CL7/265 7.6 7.4 7.2 7 6.8 6.7
CL7/275 7.7 7.5 7.4 7.2 7 6.9
CL7/295 8 7.9 7.7 7.6 7.4 7.3
Cl7/315 8.2 8.1 7.9 7.8 7.6 7.5
23
CLT and other structural materials

The use of CLT in conjunction with other structural materials is commonplace but particular consideration should
be given to the interface between them. The manufacture of CLT involves tolerances to millimetre accuracy
whereas tolerances for the typical construction of steel, concrete and masonry could be up to 10-15mm in certain
situations. Given the shop drawings and fabrication of CLT panels takes place significantly in advance of the
completion of other materials on site it is important to allow for tolerance in the connections and joints.
The speed of construction benefits of mass timber could be difficult to realise if there are significant amounts of
site modifications required to panels to ensure they fit and careful detailing can assist in this. For instance, many
CLT buildings sit on a concrete slab which may have a tolerance in level of +/- 10mm so it is usually sensible to
set the CLT above the concrete by 15mm and pack up and grout underneath the wall. Once this initial connection
has been made the building can continue swiftly with timber to timber connections fitting together accurately.
A major design consideration when considering hybrid structures is the different movement characteristics
between CLT and other materials and how they behave in the long term. Timber is a material which behaves
very differently to steel and concrete and issues like creep, shrinkage and thermal movements need to be
calculated in many situations. For example, the axial shortening of a wall on a ten storey building could be in the
order of 50mm due to creep and shrinkage and this may be very different to a steel or concrete core structure.
Consideration should also be given to compound deflections when using CLT with other structural materials.
The floor pre-analysis span tables in this guide are applicable to floor panels supported on the walls. Should
panels be supported on steel beams, the compounding deflection should be considered for the steel beam and
the floor panels. This is outside of the scope of these pre-analysis span tables, and usually considered by the
structural engineer during the design process.
Details also need to consider constructability. Understanding where screws and brackets need to be installed
from and how they’re accessed is important to a safe and efficient construction site. Pre-installation of brackets,
plates, bolts and screws can improve efficiency on site provided the allowance for tolerances is still maintained.
The long-term performance of details is also something to bear in mind, particularly with respect to moisture, and
details with the potential to trap water against the timber should be avoided.
24
XLam
Australian Cross Laminated
Timber Panel Structural
Guide
This pre-analysis guide provides key information necessary for the preliminary assessment
of XLam structures. It covers material properties, design principles, connections, and includes
pre -analysis span tables derived from extensive product testing.
XLam Australia Pty Ltd | www.xlam.com.au

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Australian Cross Laminated

XLam Australia Pty Ltd | www.xlam.com.au

Use of this Structural Guide

Structural Design in CLT

Updates and Version Control

Structural Documentation & Certification Process

XLam Structural Design Guide

XLam Panel Specification

XLam Panel Properties

Structural Properties (Timber Grade XLam Proprietary method) XLG1 XLG2

Structural Property External Lamellas Internal Lamellas

Modulus of Elasticity (parallel to the grain) 8000 MPa 6000 MPa

Compression Strength (parallel to grain) fc,0 18.0 Mpa 15.0 MPa

Compression Strength (perpendicular to grain) fc, 90 8.9 MPa 8.9 MPa

Tension Strength (parallel to grain) ft,0 6.0 MPa 4.0 MPa

Shear Strength (parallel to grain) fs,0 3.8 MPa 3.8 MPa

Shear Modulus (parallel to grain) G0 533 MPa 400 MPa

Rolling Shear Modulus (perpendicular to grain) GR 38 MPa 29 MPa

Mean Density γ 500 kg/m3 500 kg/m3

XLam Standard Panel Sizes

CL3/105 35 35 35 105 0.5

CL3/115 35 45 35 115 0.6

CL3/125 45 35 45 125 0.6

CL3/135 45 45 45 135 0.7

CL5/145 35 20 35 20 35 145 0.7

CL5/160 35 35 20 35 35 160 0.9

CL5/175 45 20 45 20 45 175 1.0

CL5/195 45 35 35 35 45 195 1.1

CL5/205 45 35 45 35 45 205 1.2

CL7/245 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 245 1.3

CL7/265 45 35 35 35 35 35 45 265 1.4

CL7/275 45 35 35 45 35 35 45 275 1.4

CL7/295 45 35 45 45 45 35 45 295 1.6

CL7/315 45 45 45 45 45 45 45 315 1.7

CLT Section Properties

Floor and Roof Design

Fundamental Frequency, f1 Hz Fourier Coefficients a1 Forcing Frequency fF Hz

3.4 < f1 < 4.6 0.2 f1

4.6 < f1 < 5.1 0.2 f1

5.1 < f1 < 6.9 0.006 f1

f1 > 6.9 0.006 6.9

Pre-Analysis Span Tables

Floor deflection checks included for in the tables:

Case Span Cantilever

Short-term dead, δG Span/200 Span/200

Short-term live, δQ Span/360 Span/200

Long-term dead and live j2(G+0.4Q), δLT:G+Q Span/300 or 25mm Span/200

Pre-Analysis Span Tables

Floor Simply-Supported [maximum panel span in metres]

Panel Q = 2kPa Q = 3kPa Q = 5kPa

Pre-Analysis Span Tables

Floor Continuous [maximum panel span in metres, double equal span]

Panel Q = 2kPa Q = 3kPa Q = 5kPa

Pre-Analysis Span Tables

Floor Cantilever [maximum cantilever in metres]

Panel Q = 2kPa Q = 3kPa Q = 5kPa

CL3/85 1 1 1 0.9 1 1 0.9 0.9 1 0.9 0.9 0.8

Pre-Analysis Span Tables

Roof deflection checks included for in the tables: