Can Mass Timber Meet South Africa’s Building Standards? An Evaluation of Strength, Fire, and Moisture Resistance

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Ferdinand Senam Hassan and Schalk Grobbelaar

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64755/ZCJS3585

Keywords: Mass Timber, Timber Construction, Comparative Analysis, National Building Regulations, South Africa

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ABSTRACT

PURPOSE

Mass timber has emerged as a viable, sustainable alternative to conventional construction materials, but its structural performance is still being questioned based on preexisting perceptions of timber construction. This paper reviews existing research on the structural capacity of mass timber, focusing on its ability to meet key performance requirements from the South African National Building Regulations.

DESIGN / METHODOLOGY / APPROACH

A review of the National Building Regulations was conducted to identify key performance requirements for building structures in South Africa. Then, a systematic literature review was conducted, informed by the findings from the NBR analysis, to identify previous studies that could speak to the ability of mass timber to meet these requirements.

FINDINGS

The reviewed studies confirmed that mass timber can meet structural requirements for buildings, but careful design adjustments are necessary. Effective moisture management and fire protection measures are critical for long-term performance.

RESEARCH LIMITATIONS / IMPLICATIONS

This review may have overlooked relevant studies due to its qualitative nature. Additionally, the focus on general performance outcomes for easy interpretation may have omitted relevant findings from specialised, technical research. Finally, the studies included in this review were conducted under different testing settings, building codes, and material sources, making direct comparisons challenging. This highlights the need for ongoing adaptation to local codes for mass timber’s widespread adoption in construction.

WHAT IS THE ORIGINAL / VALUE

This study outlines the most important properties required for building construction materials as specified in the National Building Regulations of South Africa. Second, it demonstrates how mass timber meets these essential properties, providing a detailed analysis of its suitability as a construction material.