Unlocking the Potential of Mass Timber.
As pioneers in structural engineering, we recognize the transformative power of mass timber in shaping the future of sustainable construction. Mass timber offers unparalleled versatility, strength, and environmental benefits, making it a compelling choice for modern architectural projects. At Forell Elsesser, we specialize in harnessing the potential of mass timber to create innovative and resilient structures. With extensive experience in mass timber design and engineering, our team is adept at navigating the unique challenges and opportunities presented by this revolutionary material.
At F|E, we specialize in the structural design and engineering of mass timber projects, providing innovative and efficient solutions for architects, structural engineers, general contractors, developers, and mass timber manufacturers. Our expertise ensures that mass timber buildings meet performance, safety, and sustainability goals while optimizing cost and constructability.
Photo by Bruce Damonte
Design, Code Compliance, & Structural Performance Evaluation
- Seismic design and evaluation of mass timber components, ensuring compliance with current codes and standards.
- Navigating local building codes and fire regulations for mass timber structures.
- Performance-based design solutions to meet or exceed code requirements.
- Structural fire protection strategies, including charring rate analysis and encapsulation methods.
- Comprehensive global structural analysis and design of mass timber buildings using components like CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber), NLT (Nail-Laminated Timber), DLT (Dowel-Laminated Timber), or Glulam.
- Hybrid structural solutions integrating mass timber with steel and concrete for optimal performance.
- Vibration analysis to ensure occupant comfort and support sensitive equipment.
- Carbon footprint analysis and life cycle assessments for mass timber structures.
- Sustainable material selection and optimization for environmentally responsible designs.
- Strategies for deconstruction and reuse of mass timber elements.
Product Development & Research
- Assistance in engineering efforts to bring mass timber products to market.
- Technical material development for market outreach.
- Technical audits and performance evaluations of mass timber products.
- Review and refinement of emerging mass timber systems and connection details.
- Collaboration with manufacturers to enhance product efficiency, strength, and durability.
- Development of testing protocols and coordination with certification bodies.
- Development of efficient connection details for strength, durability, and constructability.
- Design software integration and public web tool development.
Construction Support & Value Engineering
- High-definition BIM modeling for mass timber to optimize coordination and clash detection.
- Development of fabrication drawings.
- Design and construction coordination during bidding, procurement, and pre-construction phases.
- On-site structural consultation during construction for accurate installation.
- Value engineering to optimize materials and reduce costs without compromising performance.
- Prefabrication planning and coordination to streamline construction timelines.
Partner with F|E for expert mass timber engineering solutions that combine efficiency, sustainability, and structural excellence. Let’s bring your vision to life with innovative and high-performance mass timber structures.
Explore the Possibilities of Mass Timber.
Mass timber represents a paradigm shift in construction, offering numerous advantages over traditional building materials. From its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio to its renewable and carbon-sequestering properties, mass timber stands at the forefront of sustainable building solutions.
Integrating Mass Timber into our Design Process.
Driven by a commitment to excellence, we integrate mass timber seamlessly into our design process, leveraging its inherent qualities to create spaces that are not only structurally sound but also visually striking and environmentally responsible. Through collaborative partnerships and cutting-edge technology, we deliver tailored solutions that push the boundaries of what is possible with mass timber.
Vibration Performance for Laboratories.
Through a firmwide initiative, we have focused on exploring different mass timber systems including rocking CLT shear walls and have been including them early during design as viable and competitive design options.
F|E has also investigated vibration performance of mass timber floor systems for laboratory occupancy with sensitive equipment. Multiple options with CLT and glulam framing or alternative steel floor framing have been studied and we are working on partnering with construction teams to provide a more comprehensive comparison for different floor framing systems covering a range of pros and cons from cost to schedule, and constructability.
Leading the Way & Driving Innovation
Forell Elsesser leads the way in providing structural engineering services for the pioneering large-scale mass timber project at UC Berkeley—the 78,000-square-foot Undergraduate Academic Building housing classrooms and offices. Additionally, our portfolio showcases a wealth of experience with mass timber CLT (Cross-Laminated Timber) floor systems. Notable examples include the Millbrae Recreation Center and the 828 Brannan Street office building in San Francisco, where CLT floors were integrated with steel gravity and lateral systems.
Our commitment to advancing sustainable architecture extends beyond project execution. F|E has been instrumental in early research initiatives exploring mass timber as a structural system for building design. Through our studies, we have empowered clients to achieve diverse project goals, from reducing construction costs and time to enhancing user experience and providing more sustainable building solutions.
Undergraduate Academic Building
University of California, Berkeley
The new 78,000 square foot building will offer additional learning and community spaces for the Campus. This will be UC Berkeley’s first mass timber building, designed to provide enhanced seismic performance housing 3 stories of classrooms and 2 stories of office space. The project uses glulam beam and columns as the gravity system and 5-ply CLT panels as both gravity and lateral diaphragm for the building with no structural concrete. Mass timber remains exposed throughout the building including at the exterior corridors at classroom levels. This was done through close collaboration between F|E, the architectural team, LMN and TEF, and mass timber supplier and fabricator, Nordic.
Millbrae Recreation Center
City of Millbrae, California
This new all-electric building is highly sustainable and designed to meet net-zero emissions standards. The project employs 3-ply cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels for framing the second floor and roof. These CLT panels span to steel beams, girders, and columns, forming a “hybrid” structural system. All CLT remains exposed in finished condition to provide a biophilic design for the building occupants and the community.
828 Brannan Street, Office Building
San Francisco, California
The 828 Brannan project is a two-story, 22,000 square foot redevelopment of an existing site in San Francisco. The building features a new structural steel frame with cross-laminated timber (CLT) floors and buckling restrained braced frames.