Meeting the demand for mid-rise construction with prefabricated timber
The challenge
Modern timber‑framed construction offers a high‑productivity solution to Australia’s growing mid‑rise housing demand, yet adoption remains limited.
A key barrier is the lack of clear, consistent guidance on the lateral behaviour of timber‑framed diaphragms required for wind and seismic design.
Consequently, designers and manufacturers rely on inconsistent assumptions, project‑specific performance solutions, increasing cost, risk, and uncertainty.
The solution
This project seeks to develop evidence-based design guidance for modern methods of construction of timber-framed diaphragms including stick-built and prefabricated systems. It has the following objectives:
- Review international diaphragm design standards, guidelines, and existing experimental and mechanics‑based approaches.
- Conduct experimental testing and numerical modelling to quantify the structural performance of modern timber‑framed diaphragms and their connections.
- Translate research outcomes into clear, industry‑ready design guides suitable for dissemination and integration into automated design and prefabrication workflows.
- Engage with industry partners to support practical implementation.
Outcomes
The project will deliver an evidence‑based design approach to reliably quantify the lateral performance of modern timber‑framed diaphragms, supporting consistent, code‑informed design and industry adoption through publication via AEFAC.
