What’s New in the 2015/2018 IBC for Mass Timber

Although not defined in the 2015/2018 IBC, this presentation includes an overview of “mass timber” which is any product currently permitted for use in Type IV construction such as cross-laminated timber (CLT), structural composite lumber (SCL), glued laminated timber (glulam), mechanically laminated decking (aka nail-laminated timber, NLT), and large section sawn timbers. This presentation will provide an overview of changes to the 2015 and 2018 International Building Code (IBC) related to mass timber construction. CLT was first incorporated in the 2015 IBC and additional types of SCL were added to Type IV (heavy timber, HT) construction. The 2018 IBC reorganized heavy timber provisions aiding clear application of heavy timber construction requirements while also providing for separate application of code provisions that allow or specify the use of "mass timber" elements outside of Type IV construction.

Funding provided in part by the Softwood Lumber Board.