Tall Mass Timber Construction per 2021 IBC: Background and Overview

This presentation will include background on the ICC Tall Wood Building (TWB) Ad Hoc Committee, which was created in 2016, reviewed voluminous materials regarding tall wood buildings, including results of various testing around the world, as well as studies domestically in support of the TWB charge to conduct a thorough review of the science of tall wood. An overview of the TWB research which developed its own test scenario(s) to substantiate code change proposals (testing was carried out at ATF labs); and worked to develop a comprehensive set of technically‐substantiated code changes for consideration during the ICC 2018 Group A code development process. The resulting approved changes to the 2021 International Building Code allow for the construction of mass timber buildings with larger heights and areas than is currently permitted in Types III, IV, and V construction.