Multi-story building construction using long strand timber panels

Abstract

Products and methods for constructing mass timber structures in multi-story configurations using long strand timber (LST) engineered wood products. Structural LST panels of predetermined dimensions are fabricated using LST manufacturing methods, typically involving steam pressing a billet of scrimber material that includes treatment materials and bonding material. The long strands of the material used in the panels are oriented vertically for improved load bearing capacity. The panels are sized for shipment to a job site. Prior to shipment, a plurality of panels are pre-processed by cutting openings for windows, doors, tongues, and grooves at a fabrication plant. At the job site, the LST panels are quickly assembled into a building shell (i.e. full exterior walls). Floor and roof joists are then attached using conventional wood fastening devices, and interior build out can commence very quickly after initial construction of the exterior walls.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multi-story building comprising:
 a plurality of prefabricated long strand timber (LST) engineered wood panels, each panel having at least one side edge shaped to engage with a side edge of an adjacent panel, to thereby resist relative vertical movement between the panels;   each LST panel having a length, a width, and a thickness, and having a vertically extending attachment edge extending along each vertically extending side edge of the panel,   each LST panel comprising pre-cut openings for windows and doors;   each LST panel comprising a linearly extending first engagement structure along a vertically extending side edge of the panel and a complementary linearly extending second engagement structure extending along the other and oppositely disposed vertically extending side edge of the panel, wherein the first engagement structure is configured to engage with a second engagement structure of an adjacent panel,   wherein each of the LST panels comprise a cured, long strand timber material that is formed in a steam press from a scrimber material into a panel of predetermined length, width, and thickness.   
     
     
         2 . The multi-story building of  claim 1  wherein the strands of each LST panel are oriented in a vertical direction to provide for load bearing capacity. 
     
     
         3 . The multi-story building of  claim 1  wherein the side edges are tongue and groove. 
     
     
         4 . The multi-story building of  claim 1  comprising a filler material between the side edges of adjacent panels. 
     
     
         5 . The multi-story building of  claim 1  wherein the filler material is an adhesive, a sealant, a spline. 
     
     
         6 . The multi-story building of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of the panels are arranged side by side. 
     
     
         7 . The multi-story building of  claim 1  wherein the panels are arranged such that the lower edges of alternate panels are at substantially the same height. 
     
     
         8 . A multi-story building comprising:
 a plurality of long strand timber panels, each panel having at least one side edge connected to a side edge of an adjacent panel, the connection between the panels being adapted to resist relative vertical and horizontal movement between the panels;   wherein the panels are pre-cut at a fabricating plant prior to shipment to a job site to provide for doors and windows and side edge attachment elements, and a foundation for supporting at least one row of said panels along a periphery to form the exterior walls of the building.   
     
     
         9 . The multi-story building of  claim 8 , wherein the strands of long strand timber panels are oriented vertically for load bearing capacity. 
     
     
         10 . A method of manufacturing a multi-story building, the method comprising the steps of:
 i. providing a first long strand timber (LST) panel having at least one side edge;   ii. providing a second LST panel having at least one side edge adjacent the first LST panel, such that a side edge of the first panel is adjacent, but spaced apart from, a side edge of the second LST panel;   iii. introducing a filler material into a space between the side edges of adjacent LST panels; and   iv. pressing the adjacent panels into close proximity to each other to eject excess filler material, and   v. continuing the placement of LST panels until forming a complete exterior wall of the building.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the strands of each LST panel are oriented vertically for load bearing capacity. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10  wherein each said LST panel includes a tongue or groove attachment element on each side and top edge. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the filler material comprises an adhesive.