Randi Dodgson: Hardwood Mass Timber Research at Michigan Tech
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EmailRandi Dodgson shared Michigan Tech’s research on Michigan hardwood and hybrid mass timber materials, focusing on the challenges with moisture content and adhesive bonding.
At the Michigan Mass Timber Update 2024, Randi Dodgson, PhD Student from Michigan Technological University, discussed the challenges of using hardwood for mass timber. While hardwood is generally stronger and denser than softwood, its higher moisture content makes adhesive bonding more difficult and requires longer drying times.
MTU’s research highlights the need for a more advanced grading process to match hardwood’s mechanical properties and make it more viable for mass timber. To reduce costs, they’re also testing hybrid CLT designs using combinations like sugar maple and white spruce, to optimize strength, durability, and adhesion.
What could this mean for mass timber production in Michigan? Seventy percent of Michigan’s forests are hardwood, with the rest being softwood. While Michigan State University Forestry researchers have determined that there are enough softwood resources to support a mass timber facility in Michigan, MTU’s research focuses on making hardwood an option for mass timber, which could enable additional mass timber product niches Michigan.
