ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: Timber is an efficient building material, not least in regard to its mechanical properties but also because it is a highly sustainable material considering all phases of the life cycle of timber structures: production, use and decommissioning. Timber is a widely available natural resource throughout Europe; with proper management, there is a potential for a continuous and sustainable supply of raw timber material in the future. Timber is a light material and compared to its weight the strength is high; the strength to weight ratio in grain direction is even higher than for steel. However, considering its beneficial properties, timber is still not used to its full potential in the building and construction sector. Many building developers, architects and structural engineers do not consider timber as a competitive building material compared with concrete, steel or masonry. Attributes such as high performance regarding reliability, serviceability and durability are generally not associated with timber as a building material.
