From Forest to Tower: Timber Building Systems in Seismic-Prone Areas

Abstract

The construction sector is currently at a crossroads, facing the dual challenge of mitigating climate change through low-carbon materials and ensuring urban resilience against natural hazards. Mass timber has gained global momentum as a sustainable alternative to carbon-intensive materials. However, its application in seismically active regions requires a delicate balance between environmental benefits and structural reliability. This paper synthesizes the current state-of-the-art research at the intersection of timber engineering and seismic performance. The cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) building system was selected as an example highlighting the characteristics of the timber-based system under strong earthquakes. Furthermore, we update the current state of modeling strategies, emphasizing that nonlinear inelastic deformations are concentrated in mechanical connections (such as hold-downs and angle brackets), whereas CLT panels remain linear-elastic. This review also contextualizes mass timber engineering in Thailand, documenting the development of sustainable, high-strength CLT panels derived from local agricultural byproducts such as coconut wood and mixed-species configurations. Finally, this paper presents an ongoing research initiative dedicated to developing a novel Performance-Based Plastic Design (PBPD) methodology for CLT structures. Guided by a revised energy-balancing model that determines base shear strength requirements based on predefined yield mechanisms, structural weight, and target drift limits, this funded framework marks a critical paradigm shift toward establishing predictable seismic resilience and safety in modern mass timber buildings.