Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) is taking mass timber construction seriously at Atomic Energy of Canada Limited’s (AECL) Chalk River Laboratories campus in Ontario.
CNL is improving aging infrastructure on the site, and part of that revitalization includes the construction of three mass timber (MT) buildings, including its six-storey, 100,000-square-foot Business Hub now under construction.
The structure consists of a reinforced concrete lower level and concrete elevator and stair core tied into five floors of a cross-laminated timber (CLT) structure, says Chris McMahon, project director of Arnprior, Ont.-based M. Sullivan & Son Limited (Sullivan), a general contractor in joint venture with national builder Chandos Construction for the three MT buildings being constructed under an integrated project delivery contract.
The buildings represent a departure from conventional construction methods, and McMahon says the Business Hub for one poses some erection challenges. Employing an efficient and cost-effective method to tie the concrete structure into the timber frame is an example.
CLT structures require different types of fasteners for assembly and systems like fire-stopping materials that are critical as compared to requirements for a steel or concrete structure, he points out.
MT requires “thinking outside the box” but on a day-to-day basis wood construction can be straightforward, even more so than working with conventional construction materials, says McMahon.
Sullivan and Chandos are expected to complete the other two buildings later this year. They include a logistics facility, which contains office and warehouse space, and a second building for office, maintenance and site operations. Unlike the Business Hub, however, the two are entirely comprised of CLT, he says.
The MT designs allow for construction of various parts of the building at one time. Building cladding, for example, can be installed while the structure is being built.
“It gives the builder an advantage in scheduling,” he says.
The general contractor has partnered with Montreal-based Nordic Structures on the engineered wood designs. Nordic is providing an experienced crew to help with the install.
The project was designed by HDR, the architect on the CNL Chalk River Laboratories “New Builds” project.
McMahon says the coronavirus pandemic has impeded, but not halted, building construction.
Over the next decade, with the support of and with significant investment from AECL, CNL will be transforming the Chalk River Laboratories campus through the revitalization of essential site infrastructure, the decommissioning of aging infrastructure and the creation of modern science facilities.
The transformation will position CNL to remain a leader in developing peaceful and innovative applications from nuclear technology through its expertise in physics, metallurgy, chemistry, biology and engineering and build on Canada’s rich legacy in these fields, states CNL.
McMahon says the CLT projects cost about the same as steel or concrete construction, but wood has green benefits over the other two.
“Canada can definitely gain from this industry growing. There is a lot of potential job creation and sourcing materials (timber) locally. It would be nice to see that (wood) industry in the north pick up.”
Wood also offers “pretty unique designs,” which can eliminate the need for some finishes applied in conventional building, helping to offset costs, he says.
Marianne Berube, executive director of Wood WORKS! Ontario, sees the move to use MT in such a prominent development as positive for the industry.
She says the three buildings will highlight the environmental merits of wood and also show the some of the diversity of applications of MT.
The projects help to spread the message that MT is a viable and cost-effective option in low-rise commercial construction. It aligns with the federal government’s strategy to provide carbon-neutral and energy efficient buildings, she adds.
McMahon says the appetite for the construction of MT structures is growing across Canada.
“It is great to be working with an innovative client like CNL who ranks sustainability and environmental performance highly in their values,” he says. “This really gave us the push we needed to pursue and realize the benefits of mass timber. I would personally love to do another one of these structures soon.”
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