A

Seminar Report
On

ENGINEERING WOOD IN COLD CLIMATE

In partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of
Bachelor of Engineering
In
Civil Engineering

Under the Guidance of: SUBMITTED BY:

Mr. Rakesh Kumar Verma Rishabh Parihar (16BCIN031)
Yash Devra (16BCIN029)
Kandarp Somani (16BCIN034)
Harsh Kumar (16BCIN040)

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

JECRC UNIVERSITY
Jaipur-303905
 CERTIFICATE

Certified that seminar work entitled “Engineering Wood In Cold Climate” is a bonafide
work carried out in the sixth semester by Rishabh Parihar, Yash Deora, Kandarp Somani,
Harsh Kumar in partial fulfilment for the award of Bachelor of Technology in Civil
Engineering from JECRC University Jaipur during the academic year of 2018-2019.

Under the Guidance of :

Mr. Rakesh Kumar Verma

(Dept. of Civil Engineering)

 Table of content

S.No Topic Page No

1 Certificate
2 Candidate Declaration
3 Acknowledgement
4 Abstract
5 Table of content
6 Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION
7 Chapter 2: ENGINEERED WOOD IN CLD CLIMATE
2.1 Preliminary results
2.1.1 Solid wood specimens
2.1.2 Glued wood specimens
2.2 Assessment of Bridges in collaboration with CSUFT
2.3 Concluding remarks
8 Chapter 3: CLIMATE IN INDIA
3.1 Cold & Dry Regions
3.1.1 Essential features in designing of a house
3.1.2 Design Criteria
9 Chapter 4: COLD CLIMATE
4.1 Roofing in the cold and dry region
10 Chapter 5: HIMACHAL PRADESH
5.1 Climate
5.2 Topogarphy
5.3 Major Problems
5.3.1 Settlement patterns : Typical village along stepped contours
5.4 Kath Khuni Technique
5.4.1 Foundation
5.4.2 Wall
5.4.3 Flooring
5.4.4 Kitchen
5.4.5 Roofing
5.4.6 Attic
11 Chapter 6: LADAKH
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Climate : Cold & Sunny
6.3 Topography
6.4 Settlement Pattern
6.5 Urban Planning
6.6 Architecture – Spatial Layout
6.7 Courtyards
6.8 Flat Roof

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12 Chapter 7: MANGOLIA
7.1 Topography
7.2 Yurt
7.3 Process
13 Bibliography
 Abstract
Engineered wood is increasingly used in large structures in Europe, though little is known of
its behavior in cold climate. This paper presents the structural health monitoring (SHM)
system of a newly built suspension bridge with a deck of glulam timber as well as a bond
stability study regarding cold climate performance of engineered wood. The bridge is
located in Skellefteå in northern Sweden, and it connects two parts of the city situated on
opposite shores of the Skellefteå river. In this ongoing study of the timber-bridge, a
structural health monitoring system is employed to verify structural design and long-term
performance. This 130m-span bridge is monitored using GNSS receivers, MEMS
accelerometers, laser positioning systems, wireless moisture content sensors, strain gauges
and weather stations. Data from the monitoring systems is analyzed regarding accuracy,
complexity, costs and reliability for long time use. Engineered wood application in bridges,
sports centers and timber buildings are discussed. Bond stability of glulam structures in cold
climate is also examined in a range of experiments ranging from small glued wood joints to
full size glulam bridge performance over time. From an engineered wood material point of
view, the study is relevant to cold regions such as Scandinavia, Canada, Alaska, Russia, and
the northern parts of China and Japan etc. The engineered wood constructions in these
areas will be exposed to low temperature in a quite long period each year. The goal is to
determine how engineered wood behaves when exposed to temperatures between 20 °C to
-60 °C.

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 CHAPTER - 1
Introduction
Wood construction is increasingly using engineered wood products. Engineered wood
application in bridges, sports centers and timber buildings are common in Europe and North
America. Adhesives are the key part of these engineered wood products and play an
important role in the performance of engineered wood products. How do the bond lines of
engineered wood behave under extreme cold climate? The concern is stronger in regions
like Scandinavia, Canada, Alaska, Russia, and North China and Japan etc. The bond of most
adhesives is more brittle than wood. The performance of bond lines at elevated
temperatures is well documented , but not much information is available on the stability of
bond lines at low temperatures and especially under extremely cold temperatures. The
number of timber bridges has increased a lot in Sweden during the past 20 years. In general
today the health of the bridges is assessed at regular intervals by visual inspections and if
necessary some minor local tests. Continuous measurements could complement the
inspections and provide a better basis for planning maintenance activities and evaluating
the remaining service life. The overall objective of this project is to develop monitoring tools
for timber structures to guide the planning of maintenance and to signal any urgent
problems that should be addressed immediately. A timber footbridge was built over the
Skellefteå river in Sweden 2011. It is a cable-stayed bridge with a span of 130 m. The
monitoring of the bridge contributes to wood research on specific areas such as durability of
timber bridges and vibrations of wooden deck plates, but also to research on measurement
and data transmitting techniques. This research project takes advantage in that the bridge is
being built during the project period and that the measurements are planned in cooperation
with manufacturers, builders and the owner. This gives the opportunity to install equipment
during the construction of the bridge. In this way, the measurements deliver complete and
unique data from long-term monitoring. Wireless sensor networks are tested for the bridge
monitoring. Temperature, wind and rain are measured at the site. The bridge is monitored
for temperature, moisture, movements, deflections and vibrations at different points
enabling analyses of the bridge health. Vibration measurements using accelerometers,
natural frequencies and modes will be used to evaluate the structure.
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 CHAPTER - 2
Engineered wood in Cold Climate
The main objective of this part project is to determine how engineered wood behaves when
exposed to temperatures between 20 °C to -60 °C.

Study the influence of cold temperatures (T = 20 °C to -60 °C) on the shear strength of
small samples of glued wood joints (according to EN 302-1). A total of 375 Norway spruce
specimens (size: 150 mm x 20mm x 10mm) with four types of adhesives (PUR, PVAc, EPI and
MUF) at five temperatures (20, -20, -40, -50 and -60°C) were tested for shear strength
according to the European Standard EN302-1 Adhesives for load-bearing timber structures.

2.1 Preliminary results

Table 1 and Figure 6 show the shear strengths of wood and adhesive bonds at different
temperatures.

Table 2 demonstrates results from paired t-tests for shear strengths at different
temperatures.

2.1.1 Solid wood specimens: The shear strength of tested solid wood specimens decreased
with decreasing temperature. There are significant differences between 20°C, -20°C with -
50°C and -60°C. The mean value decreased from about 7.2 to 6.5 MPa.

2.1.2 Glued wood specimens: The PVAc bonds were in the range of solid wood strength and
the wood failure percentage was comparatively low. The PUR and MUF showed somewhat
lower shear strength than solid wood and PVAc. There is no significant difference between
20°C and -20°C for all types of adhesives bonds tested (PUR, PVAc, EPI and MUF). No matter
of how the temperatures changed, MUF showed the lowest shear strength among all. The
significant lower shear strength demonstrated at -40°C or -50°C depends on the adhesive
type.

Investigation of the influence of cold temperatures (T=20°C to -60°C) on the bending and
tension strengths. Tests will be carried out on medium size samples (1500 mm x 1500mm x
at least 100mm) made by glulam, LVL, SCL or CLT. These real existing engineered woods
with different adhesives from different producers from Sweden and partners will be tested
under cold temperatures. The CT scanner should observe the stability and failures as well.
The statistical models should predict for strengths and failures.

Testing and evaluation of glulam beams full-scale vulnerability to fluctuations in

temperature from T = 50 °C to -35 °C. Tests have been followed for 5 years with respect to
temperature, cracking and flexural strength of beams and columns in Sweden.
2.3 Concluding Remarks
In the first part of this paper the design and sensors for the health monitoring system for
the Älvsbacka footbridge is presented. The idea when choosing the sensors for the health
monitoring system was to build a system that would give a detailed view of the bridge
dynamics while not exceeding 4% of the budget of the bridge. Upcoming challenges are the
time synchronization between the different systems and the big temperature differences
during the year. In the second part of this article, the engineered wood behaviour is
discussed when exposed to temperatures between 20 °C to -60 °C. Different sizes of
specimens and different load combinations were tested. Some significant lower capacities
for shear strength and wood failures were founded by the preliminary tests of small glued
samples at low temperatures.

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 CHAPTER – 3
Climate In India

India is home to an extraordinary variety of climatic regions, ranging from tropical in south
to temperate and alpine in north, where the elevated regions receive sustained winter
snowfall. The nation’s climate is strongly influenced by the Himalayas and the Thar desert.

3.1 Cold & Dry Regions

Regions that lie in the cold climate zone are situated at the high altitudes. The temperatures
ranges between 20 – 30 C in summers; while in winter, in rages from -3 – 8 C, making it
quite chilly.

3.1.1 Essential features in designing of a house

(a) Building will have sloping roof.

(b) Windows will have wooden panels.

(c) Timber paneled wall will be used instead of brick or stone masonry.
(d) Bedroom will be on south west of the house.

(e) Kitchen will be on south east of the house.

(f) Dinning will be on the south.

(g) Bathroom will be on the north west of the house.

(h) Natural light is important in the house.

(i) Flooring of the house must be of timber.

(j) Living area should be in the north of the building.

(k) Utility rooms should be in the south.

(l) Cross ventilation is very important for healthy living.

(m) Tress can be planted near windows to the block cold air.

3.1.2 Design Criteria

(a) Increase thermal resistance

(b) Increase thermal capacity

(c) Increase buffer spaces

(d) Decrease air exchange rate Roof insulation, wall insulation and double glazing

(e) Thicker walls

(f) Air locks / lobbies

(g) Reduce shading

(h) Utilize heat from appliances

(i) Trapping heat

(j) Orientation and shape of the building

(k) Uses of trees as wind barriers.

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 CHAPTER – 4
Cold climate
Cold and cloudy Cold and sunny

(a) HIMACHAL PRADESH (a) LEH LADAKH

(b) MANGOLIA

4.1 Roofing in the cold and dry region

1. Gable roofs are used in hilly areas, as these roof types are able to shed snow in the hilly
areas.

2. The main used material for roofing in hilly area is timber, as it is locally available from the
trees.

3. Trees which are used for this purpose are cedar.

 CHAPTER – 5
HIMACHAL PRADESH
- cold and cloudy - DEV BHOOMI- ABODE OF GODS

1. It is situated in the laps of Himalayas – surrounded by number of ranges

2. Main occupation : Agriculture – Wheat, Maize, Rice, potato, ginger, garlic, mushrooms,

olives.

`5.1 Climate:- cold and cloudy

Himachal Pradesh experiences of huge variations in it’s climatic conditions (The variations of
climatic conditions are divided according to altitude)

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1. 450- 900 m – hot and sub humid tropical –
southern lower traces

2. 900-1800 m – warm and temperate

3. 1900-2400 m – cool and temperate

4. 2400-4800 m – cold glacial

5. 3000 m – snowfall

Octobers - very cold

December-march – snowfall

Feb-April - spring season ,

June rainy - season starts

5.2 TOPOGRAPHY

AREA: 55673kmsq.

1. Shares borders :

2. Numerous mountain ranges, like Shivalik ranges

3. (450-6500)m above the sea level

4. Latitude : 32’ 22’ 40” north to 33’12’40”north.

5. Longitude : 75’ 45’ 55” to 79’ 07’20” east.

6. 38% of total area under forest

7. Satluj is most prominent river, others are Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Yamuna .

1.3 Major Problems

1. Frequent and Seismic tremor
2. Problems of soil erosion and land slides.
3. Suitable orientation on the hill slopes.
4. Existence of tall shoddy trees and dense forest area, which obstruct the winter sun
required for the buildings.
5. Limitations on the height of the building due to earthquake risk.
6. High cost involved in the site development due to the cutting and the filling process.
7. Non-availability and transportation problems of construction materials

5.3.1 Settlement patterns : Typical village along stepped

contours
The traditional settlements appears to have the color of the land and appear just right
almost ecologically planned. The landscape materials, techniques of making, all contribute
to a common formal language of settlement.

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Typically located along the contoured sunny slopes admits backdrop of hills and snow clad
mountains and appear to organically grow out of the fold of the landscape.

5.4 KATH KHUNI TECHNIQUE

1. Made of alternate courses of dry stone masonry and wood without cementing
mortar.
2. Layering and inter locking timber and stone provides strength, stability and
flexibility (Earthquake resistant).
3. These heavy walls allow a good thermal insulation by providing high time-lag of
more than 8 hours. This makes the interior of the house cooler in summer and warm
in winter for maximum part of the year.
4. Above the plinth walls are strong with alternating stone layer, as the wall rises up it
is only the wood frame that is stacked above another wood frame. This distributes
mass optimally.
5. Interiors of wall are finished with mud plaster and lined with wood on account of its
good insulation and binding properties.
6. Resist sliding or overturning during land movement.
7. Dry masonry construction allow stones to undulate within a flexible wooden frame
work to allow energy of earthquake to disperse.
5.4.1 Foundation
Stone plinth – 0.6 – 1 meters for two storey buildings. 3 meters for tower temples.

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The upper floors are made of timber planks and timber-joints

5.4.2 Wall

5.4.3 Flooring
 In the ground level mud & cow-dung were used for flooring above the plinth made of random
rubble masonry. The upper floors are made of timber planks and timberjoists

5.4.4 Kitchen
1. Kitchen made of mud, placed at center which helps in keeping the indoor warm.
2. Balconies: Provide a good sun-space or solarium.
3. Cantilevered balcony resting on stone wall
4. Wooden members supports it to provide stability.
5. Courtyard:Sunny courtyard to perform various activities during day time.

5.4.5 Roofing :
1. Pitched roof with locally available timber. Slate used for roof covering. Below the roof a
ceiling is constructed with timber.
2. The light-weight roof construction and the air between the roofing and attic-floor provided
a very good thermal insulation against the passage of heat.

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 3. Low pitched roof provides a good solution to drain off the rain-water/ snow from the

dwellings.

5.4.6 Attic
1. Multifunctional space
2. Served as abode of god.
3. Storage of grain.
4. Windows – ventilates and helps to dry the grains .
 CHAPTER:-6
LADAKH
Introduction
1. Climate
2. Topography.
3. Settlement pattern
4. Urban plan
5. Architecture spatial layout
6. Building material and construction techniques.

6.1 INTRODUCTION
1. Ladakh region is at the highest altitude , belongs to the Tibetan Buddhist sphere, western
neighbouring region is Kashmir.
2. Mountainous region
3. Little vegetation
4. Cold desert

6.2 CLIMATE: COLD AND SUNNY

1. Himachal Pradesh experiences of huge variations in it’s climatic conditions (The
variations of climatic conditions are divided according to altitude)
2. 450- 900 m – hot and sub
humid tropical – southern
lower traces
3. 900-1800 m – warm and
temperate

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4. 1900-2400 m – cool and temperate

5. 2400-4800 m – cold glacial

6. 3000 m – snowfall

6.3 TOPOGRAPHY:
1. Ladakh is land located between two mightiest mountains rangeskarakoram in north and
great Himalayas in south. Ladakh has its own range, ladakh range and zanskar range
2. Dras, zanskar and the suru valley on the Himalaya’s northern flanks receive heavy snow in
winter, when it melts in the summer it becomes only source of the water for the crops here
as there is very less or no rainfall.
3. Because of thin air in its atmosphere the heat of the sun is more intense then at lower
altitude vegetation is very sparse in ladakh except along stream beds and wet lands, on high
slopes and in irrigated places.

6.4 SETTLEMENT PATTERN:

1. Leh is the biggest town of ladakh.
2. The settlements of various sizes are located along the meandering river Indus flowing from
east to west. This creates northern settlements facing south to allow maximum sunlight.
 3. The houses are located on slopes of the mountain rather than the plains or valley in order to
increase the time duration of sun
4. Also they are close to water bodies and Fertile land.

6.5 URBAN PLANNING

1. Leh is typically located on plateau on the northern banks of Indus river.
2. The old town is on southern slopes of mountains where as newer parts are extended in
plains in south west direction.
3. The highest point of Leh is occupied by houses of nobles and lower side by commoners and
main bazzar area.
4. The vertical staging of buildings ensures the sunlight to all individual houses.
5. The houses are placed in such a manner so that its 2-3 sides are shared with other houses
to reduce heat loss.
6. The street pattern of old town is such that it allows maximum solar penetration.
7. The important streets are laid in north south axis.

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6.6 ARCHITECTURE – SPATIAL LAYOUT
1. Most of the houses are two storey buildings
2. Larger houses are based on courtyard while smaller ones don’t have the courtyard
3. The ground floor is low in height , used in keeping livestock, storage purposes and also
to collect toilet waste.

6.7 COURTYARDS
1. Upper floor is used for living purposes usually consist of prayer room, store, toilet,
kitchen , drawing and bedroom.
2. Sometimes kitchen area and sleeping area are same to add warmth inside the house.
3. Main hall is furnished with carpets and smoke chimney.
4. The main living room is fitted with large window facing the sun it traps solar radiation
as and indigenous green house mechanism without opening the windows in some
cases these windows are provided with double glazing to hence the insulating
properties.
6.8 MATERIALS AND CONSTRUCTION:
• Primary building material is earth and timber available locally.

• Both are natural materials offering climatic comfort in condition of Ladakh

• They are used due to their high thermal insulating properties.

• Mud plaster is applied on walls.

• Quartzite stone is used in making lower storey palaces or forts where protection from water is
required .

Leh palace

• Stones are used in lower parts of walls to provide protection and strength. (stone)

• Sun dried earth block- 300x150x150 mm used for walls of thickness 300 or 450 mm. • Soil available
is alluvial soil found in banks of Indus .

• Floors of lower storey are made of mud while upper storey by timber

• It is observed that traditional construction of earth block and timber was able to offer temperature
difference of 40° C in extreme winters. When outside is -20 inside it is 20 C recorded.

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• The sills and jambs are articulated by the plaster band often coloured in red or black these timber
lintels and plaster bands are the distinct features of ladakhi architecture.
6.9 ROOF- FLAT ROOF
• Beams are placed 50-60 cm apart having 15 cm diameter and 3-4 m long.

• These beams are covered by popular willows spread in the other direction its thickness is 20-30
mm .

• 15-20 cm of dry grass, hay ,etc…. Over the willows, finally plaster of clayey mud

• Capital and post supporting the roof.

• This type of wooden design is speciality of ladakh.

• The lintels of doors and windows are corbelled features with ornamentation.

• Doors and windows are made of timber brought from Kashmir.

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 CHAPTER:-7
Mongolia
7.1 Climate : Cold and dry :-
- Short summers
- Long winters
- 20-35 cm a year of rainfall
- More than half of the country covered in permafrost
- Average temperature below freezing
- Average of 257 cloudless days a year

7.2 Topography :-
• The main mongolian topographic feature are three mountain ranges, which creates separate river
drainage basins and some different topographic zones.

• The GOBI DESERT lies in the south of mongolia, and stretches into northern china. It has VERY
LOW RAINFALL which creates the desert by the rain shadow, formed by 4500 meter high Tibetian
Plateau which blocks rain-bearing clouds.

7.3 Yurt:-
• Traditional yurts consist of an expanding wooden circular frame carrying a felt cover.

• The felt is made from the wool of the flocks of sheep that accompany the pastoralist .

• The frame consists of one or more expanding lattice wall-sections, a door-frame, bent roof poles
and a crown.

• The Mongolian Ger has one or more columns to support the crown and straight roof poles.

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7.4 Process:-

• Staring with walls and doors

Starting to place roof poles

• Roof poles and place

• placing the thin inner cover on the roof

• adding felt cover

• adding the outer cover

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 REFRENCES
https://www.askideas.com/30-beautiful-inside-pictures-and-photos-of-leh-palace-leh-ladakh/

https://sarikagulati.wordpress.com/2010/12/30/traditional-roofing-in-leh-ladakh/

http://www.kamit.jp/05_wooden/1_ladakh/xint_eng.htm

http://www.academia.edu/12616882/Vernacular_Architecture_and_Climatic_Control_in_the_extre
me_conditions _of_Ladakh