Page 44 - FDMAsia Mar/Apr 2026

42 MATERIALS MAR/APR 2026 FDM ASIA | www.fdmasia.com

COMPARATIVE FIRE PERFORMANCE

PREDICTIONS FOR GLULAM AND CLT

UNDER INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS

Mass timber elements such as glued laminated timber (Glulam) and cross-laminated timber (CLT)
have become increasingly prominent in sustainable construction due to their structural efficiency
and reduced environmental impact. However, fire performance remains a critical consideration for
structural safety. By Sumita Maharjan, Tharaka Gunawardena and Priyan Mendis, The University of
Melbourne

ass timber elements such as glued laminated assessment of experimentally measured and code-predicted
timber (Glulam) and cross-laminated timber (CLT) fire performance parameters for Glulam and CLT, including
Mhave become increasingly prominent in sustainable charring rate, effective charring depth, zero-strength layer (ZSL)
construction due to their structural efficiency and reduced thickness, and residual mechanical properties.

environmental impact. The evaluation covers major international fire design
However, fire performance remains a critical consideration standards: Eurocode 5 (EC5), the Australian Standard (AS/
for structural safety. This paper presents a comparative NZS 1720.4), the Swedish Handbook, American Wood Council

© Chad Ziemendorf