Design Guide
Design Guide
About DLT 5
Manufacturing 8-9
Installation 10-11
Performance 16-17
About StructureCraft 30
ABOUT
Dowel Laminated Timber (DLT) is a mass timber The concept of using hardwood dowels to connect
product that can be used for floor, wall, and roof softwood boards together was conceived in Switzerland
structures. It is known as Dübelholz in Europe. These in the 1990s.
solid wood panels use hardwood dowels to friction fit
pre-milled boards together on edge, creating a panel Julius Natterer spearheaded the resurgence of NLT
which is particularly efficient for horizontal spans and / brettstapel to Europe in the 1970’s and 1980’s, as
allows for much flexible architectural design. he believed that this efficient method of construction
could be used to make beautiful, low carbon, healthy
DLT panels are the only all wood mass timber product buildings that are quick and easy to build. In the early
– in concept, they involve no glue or nails. With no 1990s, DLT / dubelholz was developed by a Swiss
metal fasteners, DLT panels can be easily processed company. They saw this product as a superior product
using CNC machinery, creating a high tolerance to NLT / brettstapel in every way – it used only wood, it
panel which can also contain pre-integrated acoustic was CNC machinable, and production of the panel was
materials, electrical conduit, and other service possible with automated machinery. They proceeded to
interfaces. create the first automated machinery line for DLT.
Unique to DLT as a mass timber product, a wide variety Several companies in Germany, Austria, and
of profiles can be integrated inexpensively into the Switzerland adopted this idea and started
bottom surface of the panel. Each finger-jointed board manufacturing DLT commercially, using automated
goes through a molder, allowing a limitless range of systems for drilling and inserting the dowels.
different profiles to be explored and exposed in the
bottom of a panel. An acoustic profile can be produced StructureCraft has brought this technology to the
to achieve noise reduction objectives, while keeping North American market with the world’s largest
the wood exposed and allowing for a range of surface automated DLT manufacturing line in our state of the
finishes. Fibrous insulation is used inside an acoustic art 50,000sqft facility in Abbotsford, BC.
groove to absorb sound.
PROFILE
ALL WOOD FLEXIBILITY
• With no metal fasteners, DLT panels can be easily • An acoustic profile can achieve noise reduction
processed using CNC machinery and allow on site objectives, while keeping the wood exposed
modifications
• Dimensionally accurate panel through panel
planing and CNC machining
• Similar to NLT, the structural design of each • An all-wood mass timber product
lamination in a DLT panel is covered by both the
IBC and NBCC • Contains only trace amounts of glue due to
finger-jointing the boards, if finger-jointed boards
• StructureCraft is currently in the process of are used (panels >20ft long). Less than 1% of the
finalizing ICC certification for DLT glue used in CLT
• Mass timber panels have proven fire resistance. • No other chemicals, VOCs, or metal nails
DLT has a particular advantage over CLT as all
wood fibre is parallel to primary span, and unlike • Virtually no site waste, due to optimized offsite
CLT there is not an abrupt loss in strength when prefabrication
char reaches a layer perpendicular to the span
• Healthier indoor air quality with no off-gassing
• ASTM E119 / CAN/ULC S101 fire testing has been
completed to demonstrate 2hr Fire Resistance • Wood fibre can be sourced from sustainably
Rating for a 2x6 DLT panel (including a spacing managed North American forests and locks in
gap between panels) carbon dioxide, acting as a carbon sink
• Less volume of material due to structural efficiency • DLT is made with a variety of wood species,
including SPF, Douglas Fir, Hemlock, Sitka Spruce,
• Reduction in labor required on site due to and Western Red or Yellow Cedar
pre-manufacturing
S TA G E 1 : O P T I M I S I N G S AW S TA G E 2 : F I N G E R - J O I N T E R
Visual defects are marked and automatically cut out Boards up to 6” x 12” in cross section are structurally
as necessary in the Optisaw finger-jointed, creating continuous lamellas
up to 60ft long
S TA G E 3 : P R O F I L E M O U L D E R S TA G E 4 : D LT P R E S S
Each lamella is run through a moulder, ensuring exact Lamellas are automatically fed into the DLT press,
board thickness and applying the many different where 10 tons of pressure are applied both vertically
profile options to the bottom of the board and horizontally on the panel. Hardwood dowels
are hydraulically pressed into tight-fit holes drilled
sideways through the panel
D O W E L L I N G P R O C E S S
The first package of lamellas is A drilling aggregate drills 3/4” diameter The 3/4” diameter hardwood dowels are
automatically fed into the DLT machine holes into the wide face of the lamellas hydraulically pressed into the hole
and then hydraulically pressed vertically with a custom-designed drill bit
and horizontally to ensure a flat panel,
and remove any gaps between boards
S T E P 4 : P R O C E S S R E P E AT STEP 5: MOISTURE
EQUILIBRIUM
Additional packages of lamellas are DOWELS
pushed into the DLT press and dowelled As the drier dowel comes into moisture
into the previous packages until a full equilibrium with the surrounding lumber, it
width panel is created expands, creating a tight friction fit between
the two materials
The prefabricated DLT panel is a product designed for efficient erection. Through the integrated process of design and fabrication, an
optimal panel layout is established. From the factory, panels are loaded in sequence to avoid sorting on site. Lifting screws are pre-
installed at the factory into all panels, allowing efficient hoisting on site. Panels are typically connected to the supporting structure below
using specialty timber screws, and the joints between panels are stitched with sheathing infill strips.
As required, StructureCraft can send installation crews to erect DLT panels and the supporting structure. Large panel sizes, only limited
by transportation, enables erection speeds of 1500 sf/hour or more. Typical panel sizes are between 8’ x 20’ and 10’ x 60’.
LENGTH Up to 60.5’
STRUCTURAL GRADES Sel Str, No. 2 & Btr, 2400f-2.0E MSR (D. Fir),
SPECIES & 2100f-1.8E MSR (SPF)
GRADES
APPEARANCE GRADES Premium, Select, Standard, Industrial
PA N E L
+/- 1/8” width, +/- 1/4” length, +/- 1/16” depth (at time of manufacture)
TOLERANCES
ACOUSTIC Raw: 2x6 DLT achieves STC 38 and IIC 33 (ASTM E90 and E492 test results)
R AT I N G STC>50 and IIC>50 can be achieved & have been test with concrete topping & acoustic mat
NRC of 0.70 achieved with acoustic DLT profile
FIRE Meets heavy timber criteria, has been tested to achieve 2hr Fire Resistance Rating (FRR) with
PERFORMANCE 2x6 DLT. Higher ratings are achievable with thicker panels.
P E N E T R AT I O N S / Up to 12” rect/dia without additional reinforcement, larger possible with screw reinforcement
OPENINGS
TRANSVERSE Up to 2’ weak-axis cantilevers (or 4’ spans) are possible with screw reinforcement, longer
CANTILEVERS, possible with additional reinforcement
2 - WAY S PA N S
N O T E S
GRADE E Fb
(Ksi) (Ksi)
SPF Sel Str 1500 1.300 2. Section properties are not shown but
can be easily calculated
1950f-1.7E 1700 1.950
3. Please contact StructureCraft
2100f-1.8E 1800 2.100 Engineering for special criteria or to
receive fire and acoustic test reports
#2&btr 1600 0.850
D Fir
Sel Str 1900 1.350
D LT P A N E L S H E A R R E S I S T A N C E ( A S D ) N O T E S
S H E AT H I N G M A X Vr
THICKNESS (IN) (KIP/F T ) 1. Shear values shown are maximum and
depend on fastener spacing. Multiple
3/8” 1.3 fastener rows can be used to achieve high
shear capacities as the diaphragm is fully
1/2” 2.0 blocked
F L O O R PA N E L S
F L AT R O O F O R S O F F I T
F LU T E D R O O F O R F LO O R
WA L L PA N E L S
C O R E A N D S H A F T PA N E L S
F I R E R E S I S TA N C E
In heavy timber construction, there is sufficient mass of wood such that a char layer
will form in a fire, insulating the remaining wood from heat penetration. Classified as
heavy timber, DLT has been tested to achieve fire resistance ratings of up to 2 hours
or more.
B U I L D I N G E N V E LO P E
Thermal performance of DLT is similar to other mass timber products. Using caulking
between each lamination, building envelope transitions between interior roof and
exterior soffit can be achieved.
ACOUSTIC TRANSMISSION
ACOUSTIC ABSORPTION
DLT can be economically made of lamellas which are pre-milled with flutes to allow
for insertion of concealed sound absorbing material, resulting in NRC values of 0.70.
W E AT H E R P R O T E C T I O N
Several options are available to protect the panels from water during construction.
For roof panels, membranes (torch-on or peel’n’stick) can be pre-applied in shop.
StructureCraft typically installs a membrane or Zip system OSB on all DLT panels in
the shop to act temporary weather protection during shipping and construction.
STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE
The structural design of each lamination is covered by both the IBC/NDS and
NBCC/O86 applicable grading rules. As each structurally finger-jointed board spans
between structural supports, the dowels do not serve a significant structural purpose,
but hold the boards together as a panel.
Typically TCC panels are used when there are longer floor panel
spans (>20 ft), where floor build-up height is to be minimised, or
when there are stringent requirements for floor stiffness or vibration
performance.
There are many options for creating structural composite action between a DLT panel and the concrete topping, through any acoustic
mat or insulation separating the two materials. The principles behind three common methods have been illustrated here. Robust
design methodologies for each of these methods have been developed in Europe and have been put into use in many buildings over
the past 10-15 years. StructureCraft has conducted full-scale stiffness and vibration testing of several different composite systems and
can provide timber engineering services to design these systems.
COMPOSITE
with plywood
sheathing &
Acoustic Mat
COMPOSITE
Fluted
COMPOSITE
Notched
Each of the boards in a DLT panel Some examples of aesthetic and Developing a new profile is a simple
are run through our profile moulder, acoustic profiles we offer are shown process and can be done on a
allowing custom profiles to be integrated below. Each of the profiles are project specific basis. Profiles are fully
into the bottom of the panel. parametric - for example chamfers, customizable to suit the particular
roundovers, or kerfs are available in performance and aesthetic requirements
any size, radius, or depth. The acoustic of each project.
profiles are able to develop Noise
Reduction Coefficients of up to 0.70.
S TA N D A R D D LT P R O F I L E S
These standard profiles give the designer a variety of aesthetic options at no extra cost. Variations of these can be easily incorporated.
Depth available: 2x4 to 2x12, 3x4 to 3x12, 4x4 to 4x12. Max depth = 12 1/4” without sheathing
A C O U S T I C D LT P R O F I L E S
The Acoustic Square profile incorporates a groove into the sides of each
board which is acoustically engineered to trap sound waves. This groove
is filled with non-combustible, fibrous insulation strips which act as an
absorbing material to shorten the reverberation time and create a higher
acoustic performance inside rooms.
Panel layups using boards of different depths or thicknesses are possible with DLT. Fluted patterns create an interesting aesthetic if
exposed, as well as having a structural performance which is between that of the two lamination depths. Random patterns are more labor
intensive to create but are possible.
Service integration inside DLT panels is possible through several different methods:
SERVICE CHANNELS
DLT panels can be placed with gaps between them to allow the creation of larger
service channels. These channels can be left accessible from above, and can be
covered from below with permanent infill panels. Alternatively the channels can be
made accessible from below with removable infill panels, and permanently closed in
from above.
CURVED PANELS
DLT panels can be curved perpendicular to the primary span direction. This
is achieved using a unique moulded profile which allows the panel to be
manufactured flat but curved into place during installation. Radii larger than
10 ft are achievable.
More dramatically curved and warped panels are also possible using NLT,
which we have done for several projects.
Our optimizing saw automatically cuts out defects, and allows us to grade our lumber to a very high aesthetic standard if so required.
Our fabrication team can produce a variety of visually appealing products with varying profiles, geometries, and finish treatments for both
indoor and outdoor applications. Routed profiles can provide a variety of high quality finishes for wall or ceiling panels.
Upon request, a penetrating clear sealer and tinted top coatings can be shop-applied to exposed side of
COATINGS panel. Our team focuses on working with designers to determine the best coating system for durability
and ease of maintenance.
UNNATURAL Except for Type 4 (Industrial), the underside of the DLT panel shall be free of “unnatural” characteristics,
BLEMISHES eg. black marks, scuffs, damage, glue, etc. Such blemishes shall be sanded/required as needed.
All wood, as a natural material, will exhibit characteristics such as knots/holes, wane, grain, checks,
CHARACTER
coloration, etc. The intent of the above appearance grading is to provide a degree of predictability/
OF WOOD
limitation to these characteristics. However, some variations in the visual appearance will be apparent
*Please contact us for samples and pictures of the appearance grades, species variations and coatings options.
SPECIES
Any wood species recognised in North T R E AT E D L U M B E R RECLAIMED WOOD
American grading rules can be used in DLT. FRT treated lumber can be used in DLT Other wood sources, including project-
Some examples of species are shown below panels. specific wood sourcing is possible.
- but many more options are possible.
EXTERNAL USE S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y A N D
Because each of the boards in a DLT Unlike glued mass timber products, DLT is C E R T I F I C AT I O N
panel spans itself between supports, the recognised as a mass timber product which StructureCraft is FSC and PEFC certified,
structural performance of a DLT panel is can be used in exterior exposure. Finger and can carry this chain of custody for DLT
very simple - like a group of floor joists joints in the boards are certified exterior panels in your project. As DLT is all wood,
placed side-by-side. This means the finger-joints. there are no VOCs and the sequestered
structural values recognised for wood This means DLT can be used for exterior carbon is highest of any mass timber
species in CSA O86 or NDS 2018 can be decks, balconies, and canopies. product.
used to design DLT panels, and there is no
need for product-specific testing.
C O AT I N G S A N D F I N I S H E S
A variety of coatings are possible on the exposed faces of DLT panels.
N O T E S
1. Tabulated values determined in accordance with NDS 2018 for SPF/DFir. Longer spans achievable with other grades / species.
2. The following factors were used for calculations: CD=1.15, CM=1.0, Ct=1.0, Cr=1.15
3. Spans are measured from centerlines of supports.
4. Includes maximum 10psf super-imposed dead load.
5. *For double span values, span lengths must be within +/-10%. For other conditions contact StructureCraft Engineering.
6. Tabulated values only valid when manufactured by StructureCraft
7. Satisfies L/180 deflection criteria under 0.5 Dead Load and 1.0 Snow Load.
8. **Design Guides are provided for the purposes of preliminary design only. Contact StructureCraft Engineering for intermediate
span values or further assistance.
9. Tabulated values shown for nominal 2” wide laminations are also applicable to wider laminations (3”, 4”)
N O T E S
1. Tabulated values determined in accordance with NDS 2018 for SPF/DFir. Longer spans achievable with other grades / species.
2. The following factors were used for calculations: CD=1.15, CM=1.0, Ct=1.0, Cr=1.15
3. Spans are measured from centerlines of supports.
4. Includes maximum 20psf super-imposed dead load.
5. *For double span values, span lengths must be within +/-10%. For other conditions contact StructureCraft Engineering.
6. Tabulated values only valid when manufactured by StructureCraft.
7. Satisfies vibration criteria published in AISC DG 11, and also L/240 deflection criteria under 0.5 Dead Load and 1.0 Live Load.
Maximum deflection is limited to 2 in. for long spans
8. **Design Guides are provided for the purposes of preliminary design only. Contact StructureCraft Engineering for intermediate
span values or for further assistance.
9. Tabulated values shown for nominal 2” wide laminations are also applicable to wider laminations (3”, 4”)
N O T E S
1. Tabulated values determined in accordance with NDS 2018 for SPF/DFir. Longer spans achievable with other grades / species.
2. The following factors were used for calculations: CD=1.15, CM=1.0, Ct=1.0, Cr=1.15
3. Spans are measured from centerlines of supports.
4. Includes maximum 10psf super-imposed dead load.
5. *For double span values, span lengths must be within +/-10%. For other conditions contact StructureCraft Engineering.
6. Tabulated values only valid when manufactured by StructureCraft
7. Satisfies L/180 deflection criteria under 0.5 Dead Load and 1.0 Snow Load.
8. **Design Guides are provided for the purposes of preliminary design only. Contact StructureCraft Engineering for intermediate
span values or further assistance.
9. Tabulated values shown for nominal 2” wide laminations are also applicable to wider laminations (3”, 4”)
N O T E S
1. Tabulated values determined in accordance with NDS 2018 for SPF/DFir. Longer spans achievable with other grades / species.
2. The following factors were used for calculations: CD=1.15, CM=1.0, Ct=1.0, Cr=1.15
3. Spans are measured from centerlines of supports.
4. Includes maximum 20psf super-imposed dead load.
5. *For double span values, span lengths must be within +/-10%. For other conditions contact StructureCraft Engineering.
6. Tabulated values only valid when manufactured by StructureCraft.
7. Satisfies vibration criteria published in AISC DG 11, and also L/240 deflection criteria under 0.5 Dead Load and 1.0 Live Load.
Maximum deflection is limited to 2 in. for long spans
8. **Design Guides are provided for the purposes of preliminary design only. Contact StructureCraft Engineering for intermediate
span values or for further assistance.
9. Tabulated values shown for nominal 2” wide laminations are also applicable to wider laminations (3”, 4”)
N O T E S
N O T E S
ACOUSTIC MAT
SCREWS
FROM BELOW DETAIL SIMILAR FOR
BOTH DIRECTIONS
STEEL ANGLE OF DLT SPAN
TYPICAL 8" SHEATHING INFILL STRIP
ASS
S_8
Y_V
G_C
G_C
Y_V
S_8
ASS
-300
INTERIOR EXTERIOR
GLULAM BEAM
D E L I V E R Y M E T H O D S
ENGINEER BUILD With more than 40 years of experience in design, we take full
responsibility for the structural engineering on a project. Our vertically
integrated approach means our team is involved from concept right
through to 3D modelling, fabrication and erection. Because our turnkey
services are all in-house, we are able to utilize this experience to provide
an early fixed price, giving certainty to the scope of work. We then work
with the architect and owner to create the finely detailed structures we
are well known for.
DESIGN-ASSIST We come alongside early with the consultant team of architects and
base building engineers. We offer our expertise in timber detailing and
knowledge of fabrication and erection costs to the design team, working
together towards a buildable, cost-efficient, yet expressively detailed
structure. This would lead to a supply and install contract often as early
as the Design Development stage.
+1 604-940-8889
[email protected]
www.StructureCraft.com
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