Robin Dodyk, technical director at Oregon Timber Frame, Professor Abdy Kermani of Napier University, and Robert Hairstans, a consultant, gave presentations on “Development of the Optimum Sustainable Timber Frame Wall Development” and “Stability of Domestic Dwellings” at the event which attracted more than 500 delegates from 45 countries.
Mr Dodyk said a common theme was the importance of “performance-based analysis” leading to “performance-based design” and how this led to safe, reliable and durable timber structures, not just for medium rise housing, but for non-residential applications as well.
The keynote presentation by Gary Williams of Timber Systems Ltd Toronto emphasised that timber and advanced wood products had a significant role as a construction resource in a very competitive market. He maintained the importance of good research and “not standing still” in overcoming the hurdles which timber could meet when competing with other materials. Training of an already-skilled workforce in the use of new materials and techniques was also vital.
“In Europe, and in the UK in particular, adventurous and innovative timber design is increasingly recognised,” said Mr Dodyk.
“Indeed, some of the processes and procedures presented at the conference as innovative are already standard practice in the UK. Different nations had their specialisms – for instance, the Americans and Japanese were expert in seismic construction – but innovative design, especially in medium rise construction, was clearly a strength in the UK.”
The 10th WCTE will take place in Miyazaki in Japan in June 2008.
