Impact case study database

The research has increased productivity and improved working practices for major UK house builders whilst ensuring the conformity with new regulatory requirements (building performance and structure). Findings have also impacted the supply chain, accelerating the adoption of industrialised timber technologies and adding value to UK-sourced timber. Wide-reaching and strategic networks have been formed to ensure implementation, including a co-operative of industrialised timber fabricators in Scotland. Research findings have also been digitised and widely disseminated via a strategic partnership with global software enterprise Trimble, to significantly influence professional practice and maximise international uptake.

IMPACT ON UK HOUSE BUILDING

The utilisation of timber frame construction in the UK has almost doubled between 2002-2019 from 15% to 28.4%, equating to approximately 50,000 houses per annum. As a result of the ENU and Oregon Timber Frame (UK) KTP, major UK developers Barratt, Taylor Wimpey, and Persimmon et al (representative of 80% of the market) now utilise the safer and more efficient crane erect method of construction as standard [C1]. Oregon have expanded from 1,250 (2014) to 2,980 (2019) units per annum, increasing their number of employees in this period from 96 to 185. In 2019, Oregon were acquired by the UKs largest house builder Barratt as a result of their research and innovation led approach for optimised performance.

IMPACT ON PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

The KTP, hybrid racking research and follow on EPSRC funding led to design guidance which has informed the PD6693 UK racking performance standard, facilitating the harmonisation of Eurocode 5 into UK practice. This supported the development of new technical and engineering construction calculations for structural Eurocode 5 racking performance and connection details (critical wall, floor and roof junctions) that have been digitally enabled. The establishment of a working partnership with Trimble, a leading global USD3.10 billion (Financial Year 2018 revenue) built environment software and hardware organisation has allowed ENU researchers to automate code compliance applications and disseminate their structural engineering platform ‘TEDDS’ [C2]. This has more than 10,000 global active users per month, with the primary markets being the UK and Ireland (50%), USA, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and Canada. 19.2% of the monthly utilisation is of the Eurocode 5 calculations, and 10.3% is of the timber connection calculations, facilitating the specification of industrialised timber systems whilst improving the efficiency of engineers during the design process [C2]. ENU has now forged a strategic partnership with Trimble, establishing the 2nd UK and 10th international Trimble Technology Lab, which has expanded the University’s leadership in training and research in 3D building design, digital fabrication and the sustainable built environment [C3].

IMPACT ON TIMBER SUPPLY CHAIN

Research into industrialised timber technologies pioneered new practical applications. Accoya Wood (a timber product modified for durability via an acetylation processes) was innovatively used for ground beams for new build and retrofit applications and follow-on conformity with General German Building Approval for Structural timber by DiBT [C4]. Mass timber products were developed and utilised along with ENU input in the multiple award winning 2014 Commonwealth Games Athletes Village and Fife Housing Innovation Showcase, built for the Kingdom Housing Association [C5]. Applied research on Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) by the ENU team resulted in CCG (a lead manufacturer of industrialised timber systems in Scotland) announcing the purchase of a GBP4.15million plant to produce up to 10,000m³ of CLT per annum. This would sequestrate 6.76 million kgCO2 from the atmosphere in the built environment [C6]. CCG continued to develop CLT utilisation with ENU support, resulting in Scotland’s tallest timber building, and the award of the Structural Timber Awards 2018. ENU provided evidence for building performance conformity and a follow-on evaluation for validation for this project [C6]. Research has culminated in live projects to showcase findings and has generated additional knowledge via feedback loops. The Link Alva project is a GBP5.3 million construction contract of 48 homes to achieve “ first ever” Gold Level of Sustainability (2018) for social rent. It is supported by a grant of GBP3.077 million from the Scottish Government’s Greener Homes Initiative scheme for ENU research intervention to enable regulatory conformity [C7].

LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL IMPACT

Research resulted in an expanded portfolio of over 200 local, national and international industrial partners. Network groups (including mass timber, timber engineering, dowel-lam, advance manufacturing, and timber frame) were established by ENU involving 147 membership organisations, including architectural and structural engineering practices, sawmills, supply chain organisations and construction firms. These have facilitated industry led strategic research programmes on a variety of novel timber technologies. Industry partner specific research has resulted in over 50 industry led innovation projects, culminating in the 2015 Queen’s Anniversary Prize [C8]. The work has also accelerated the growth of the Scottish timber offsite construction from GBP125 million (2012) to GBP300 million (2019), including the formation of Offsite Solutions Scotland, a collaborative cluster of leading industrialised timber manufacturers backed by Scottish Government [C9]. Growth is predicted growth to reach GBP343 million by 2023 [C10]. ENU is the academic lead providing research and innovation support to underpin this growth, and Scotland is now recognised internationally as being at the forefront of industrialised timber technologies. The work has supported the country of increasing its capability of responding to the UK Government’s presumption in favour of offsite manufacture, whilst addressing the need for more regenerative forms of construction that utilise renewable natural capital.