Review

Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts. 2019, 4(1): 2230

DOI: 10.21967/jbb.v4i1.190

Cross-laminated Timber (CLT) in China: A State-of-the-Art

Hao LI1, 2, Brad Jianhe WANG2*, Peixing WEI2, 3*, Libin WANG1
1
College of Civil Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
2
Ningbo Sino-Canada Low-Carbon Technology Research Institute, Ninghai 315600, China
3
School of Landscape Architecture, Jiangsu Vocational College of Agriculture and Forestry, Jurong 212400, China
*Corresponding author: Brad Jianhe WANG, bradwang@shaw.ca; WEI Peixing, wayne0448123@163.com
Received 25 October 2018; Accepted 10 December 2018

Abstract: As a new type of green low-carbon engineered wood product, cross-laminated timber (CLT) is widely used in
various types of wooden buildings in Europe and North America, and the number of high-rise wood construction is also
increasing. Based on the introduction of the structural characteristics of the CLT and the development status of the CLT in
developed countries, this paper focused on the review of the status of research and development of the CLT in China, with
an emphasis on the breakthrough technologies of new bamboo-wood composite CLT developed. Finally, the prospects of
the CLT in China were discussed.
Keywords: cross-laminated timber (CLT); bamboo; wood construction; engineering application; China

Citation: Hao Li, Brad Jianhe Wang, Peixing Wei, et al., 2019. Cross-laminated timber (CLT) in China: a state-of-the-art. Journal of
Bioresources and Bioproducts. Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts, 4(1): 22–30.

1 Development of Cross-laminated Timber Thus, it is considered as the best substitute for traditional
(CLT) building materials (Zhang et al., 2017). The crosswise layup
method of the CLT makes it possible to fully use the
In the early 20th century, the building materials’ market
material characteristics of the high tensile strength of the
was largely occupied by reinforced concrete (Brandner
wood in the direction of the grain and the high
et al., 2016). However, over the past decade or so, timber
compressive strength in the transverse direction. To meet
has recaptured market shares and there has been a
the special need of the CLT application, double-layer
tendency to replace mineral-based building materials. An
lumber boards can be placed parallel-to-grain direction to
important reason for this regain in market share is the
obtain superior mechanical properties in the direction of
commercial launch of new engineered wood products as
mass timber products (MTPs) (Schickhofer et al., 2010). At the grain. In addition, Canadian scientists proposed a box-
present, the MTPs including cross-laminated timber based CLT system for achieving more diverse and
(CLT), glued-laminated timber (glulam), nailed-laminated complex structural purpose (Fig. 1c) (Chen, 2011). This
timber (NLT), and structural composite lumber (SCL) are system effectively reduced the self-weight of the CLT
increasingly used for building applications. They can be panel on the basis of ensuring a certain bearing capacity,
prefabricated with precise dimensions and openings in a and became more cost effective.
factory, thereby allowing for a faster erection and The concept of the CLT was developed in Austria in
minimal construction waste (Zhou et al., 2017).
The CLT is one kind of prefabricated the MTP. It
consists of at least three layers of structural lumber boards
or the SCL stacked crosswise at an angle (typically at
9 0 ° )
and glued or stapled together (Chen, 2011; Gagnon and
Pirvu, 2011) (Fig. 1a, 1b). The CLT has the advantages of
high prefabrication rate, convenient transportation and
fast installation, and low damage to the site environment.

22 www.bioresources-bioproducts.com

This is an Open Access article under the CC-BY-NC license.

 Hao LI et al.: Cross-laminated Timber (CLT) in China: A State-of-the-Art

Fig. 1 Different structures of CLT panels

the 1970s and 1980s and the first modern CLT mill was Stadthaus’s wall, core tube, floor slab, etc. to provide the
established in Europe in the late 1980s. In 1993, the first vertical bearing capacity and lateral resistance of the
CLT building was erected in Switzerland (Que et al., structure. In 2012, Forte, a 10-storey apartment in the
2017). In the past 10 years, Austria, Germany and Italy Port of Asia Victoria, Melbourne, Australia (Fig. 2b), with
have carried out lots of researched on the CLT (Tafreshi the shear wall of the CLT, was the first CLT wood
et al., 2008; Brandner, 2013; Helene and Schickhofer, building over the world. In 2014, the 14-storey treet
2013; Rinaldin et al., 2013). While this product is well- building in Bergen, Norway was completed (Fig. 2c),
established in Europe, Canada, the United States, New using a beam-column frame-support structure. The CLT
Zealand, and Japan, etc., lots of related research work panels were used for integrated prefabricated room units,
have also been carried out, which greatly promoted the and also used for walls, corridors, elevator shafts and
applications of the CLT (Buchanan et al., 2008; Chen et al., balconies of the building (Malo et al., 2016).
2008; Chen, 2009; Ceccotti et al., 2013; Pei et al., 2013; An 18-story student residence with a frame-core tube
Hindman and Bouldin, 2015). The CLT can be widely system, Brock Commons, was located at the campus of
used as wall, roof and floor panels, and also as a main body The University of British Columbia (Fast et al., 2016).
structure or decks for a bridge (Schubert et al., 2010). The core tube was cast-in-place using reinforced concrete.
In addition to research on the performance and The first floor of the building was concrete frame
applications of the CLT, several countries promoted the structure. For the 2nd to the 18th floors, the CLT panels
product standardization. The Canadian version and the were adopted as the horizontal force-bearing members
US version of the CLT Handbook were respectively and the glulam columns as the vertical force-bearing
published (Gagnon and Pirvu, 2011; Karacabeyli and members, and they were connected by steel members (Fig.
Douglas, 2013), which provided the technical guidance 2d).
for the manufacturing, structure design and construction
of the CLT and also laid a foundation for the revision of
the relevant standards. The North American CLT product
standard was published in 2012 (ANSI/APA PRG 320-2012,
Standard for Performance-rated Cross-laminated Timber,
American National Standard Institute, USA) and revised
in 2018 (ANSI/APA PRG 320-2018). Wood Design
Standards Committee of American Wood Council
renewed the National Design Code for Timber Buildings
(ANSI/AWC NDS-2015) with inclusion of the the CLT.
The UK Standards Policy and Strategy Committee issued
“BS EN 16351-2015” in 2015, established complete and
systematic requirements for the CLT. Subsequent revision
of the CLT standards and specifications has effectively
promoted the applications of the CLT.
The CLT has recently become more and more popular
Fig. 2 Famous tall wood buildings
in building applications in Europe and the United States.
The building height has been continuously uplifted and
Studies on performance and engineering applications
structural form has become more diversely. In 2009, The
of the CLT have reached a high level abroad, but the
Stadthaus, a 9-storey CLT wooden mixed-use apartment
relevant studies of the CLT in China were still in an
in Hackney, London, was completed (Fig. 2a) (Xiong
infancy (Zhang et al., 2017). Currently, research institutes
et al., 2016). The CLT was used in the superstructure of
such as Ningbo Sino-Canada Low-Carbon Technology

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Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts, 2019, 4(1): 2230
Research Institute (SCLC), Tongji University (Tongji),
University of Science & Technology of Beijing (USTB),
Chang’an University (CHD), Nanjing Forestry University
(NFU), Nanjing Technology University (NTech), Beijing
Forestry University (BFU), and Chinese Academy of
Forestry (CAF) have conducted some studies on the CLT
including process parameter optimization, basic
mechanical tests and numerical simulation. This work
reviewed the recent research of the CLT and discussed the
development trend of the CLT in China.
2 Recent Research of CLT in China
2.1 Process optimization and mechanical
performance of CLT
At this stage, only a few institutes and universities have
conducted some research of the CLT in China
concentrating on process optimization, basic panel
performance, and use of local species for the CLT
manufacturing. And some valuable results were obtained.
In conformation with the North American CLT
standard, Prof. Wang from SCLC led his team to build the
China’s first CLT pilot production line, and subsequently
developed the world’s first large-scale prefabricated CLT
panel made from Canadian western hemlock lumber
(https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz=MjM5NTg5NDI4Mg
==&mid=2651228420&idx=1&sn=027306c8724ef5c02e
24d4238efd33d9#rd). Wang et al. (2018) prepared
Canadian western hemlock CLT using two types of
adhesive and two levels of applied pressure. The results
of block shear and delamination test showed that the type
of adhesive and the level of applied pressure had a
significant effect on the bond quality, wood failure and
durability of the CLT. Other team members made the
full-scale hemlock CLT panel and systematically
evaluated and analyzed the basic mechanical properties in
major strength direction and durability of the CLT (Wang
Y L et al., 2017; Li M M et al., 2018; Lu Y et al., 2018a;
Xie et al., 2018). The interlaminar shear strength of the
hemlock CLT made in the SCLC was measured using a
short-span three-point bending method with a
span-to-depth ratio of 6 to validate the theory. The
cooperative research team from Tongji University
conducted a study on the flatwise bending and
compressive performance of the Canadian hemlock CLT
and obtained the mechanical properties of the hemlock
CLT in the major strength and minor strength directions
through the test, which provided the basic data for the
engineering applications of hemlock CLT (He et al., 2018).
Based on the CLT pilot production line of the SCLC,
the CAF used domestic Japanese larch lumber to make
the CLT and tested its bending performance, inter-laminar
shear performance, rolling shear performance, and
24 www.bioresources-bioproducts.com
compressive performance (Gong et al., 2018a; Gong et al.,
2018b; Gong et al., 2018c; Gong et al., 2018d). They also
explored the influence of process, lumber modulus of
elasticity, assembly direction, lumber thickness and
number of layer on its mechanical properties (Gong et al.,
2018a; 2018b; 2018c; 2018d). Thus, for the domestic
Japanese larch, the key process parameters and basic
mechanical performance of the CLT were successfully
established for engineered applications.
The research team from South China Agricultural
University (SCAU) studied the feasibility of using the
fast-growing small-diameter eucalyptus wood to make the
CLT and optimization of relevant process parameters
(Liao et al., 2017; Lu Z H et al., 2018). The results of
eucalyptus CLT bending and shear tests proved that the
CLT had acceptable mechanical properties.
Scientists from NFU studied the hybrid CLT fabricated
with lumber and laminated veneer lumber (LVL) or
different wood species. And the test data of rolling shear,
bending, and inter-laminar shear helped improve the
rolling shear performance of the CLT and provided a
reference for engineering applications (Wang et al., 2014;
Wang et al., 2016; Wang Z Q et al., 2017). Wang (2017)
studied the effect of macroscopic characteristics of sawn
timber such as density, annual ring, pith distance, pith and
wood species on rolling shear properties of cross layer of
softwood CLT. Jiang (2016) studied mechanical
properties of the CLT made from Chinese fir with
different thickness and analyzed its failure modes.
To compare some above-mentioned domestic R&D
teams' research (Wang et al., 2016; Liao et al., 2017;
Gong et al., 2018a; Gong et al., 2018b; Lu Y et al., 2018b;
Xie et al., 2018), bending and shear performance of the
CLT made from different wood species are listed in Table
1 and Table 2. It should be note that the size of the CLT
has a neglectable effect on its mechanical performance.
However, the data referred to different publications still
has to some extent value to discuss with the same
span-depth ratio, especially for the CLT with large
difference of mechanical properties resulting in the
relative reduce of size effect. As shown in Table 1,
eucalyptus is one of the representational tree species in
China. The small-diameter eucalyptus CLT had a higher
modulus of elasticity (MOE) but lower flexural strength.
And its flexural strength was much lower than that of the
softwood (Canadian western hemlock and Japanese larch)
CLT. Composite the CLT, Douglas fir LVL as core layer,
had a lower MOE and flexural strength than hybrid CLT
made from SPF lumber. While taking Douglas fir LVL as
the surface layers of composite CLT, its MOE and MOR
increased about 29% and 17%, respectively. According to
Table 2, the shear strength of small-diameter eucalyptus
CLT was lower than that of the softwood (Canadian
 Review
Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts. 2019, 4(1): 2230

Table 1 Bending properties of CLT

CLT type Specimen dimension (mm) Span-depth ratio MOE (MPa) MOR (MPa)
Canadian western hemlock CLT 3150×305×105 30.0 10 668–11 966 34.78–41.51
Domestic Japanese larch CLT 2700×305×75 30.0 10 340–16 760 40.52–59.76
Small-diameter eucalyptus CLT 1820×305×54 30.0 11 466 (Mean) 24.5 (mean)
Hybrid CLT (SPF-SPF-SPF) 2000×89×114 16.4 7908 (Mean) 28.6 (mean)
*
Composite CLT (SPF-LVL -SPF) 2000×89×114 16.4 7222 (Mean) 25.7 (mean)
Composite CLT (LVL*-SPF-LVL*) 2000×89×114 16.4 9299 (Mean) 30.1 (mean)
*Note: LVL was made from Douglas fir veneer.
Table 2 Inter-laminar shear properties of CLT
CLT type Specimen dimension (mm) Span-depth ratio Inter-laminar shear strength (MPa)
Canadian western hemlock CLT 735×305×105 6 1.88–2.23
Domestic Japanese larch CLT 510×305×75 6 2.28–2.84
Small-diameter eucalyptus CLT 400×150×54 6 1.30 (mean)
Composite CLT (SPF-SPF-SPF) 610×305×114 5 2.25 (mean)
Composite CLT (SPF-LVL-SPF) 610×305×114 5 2.11 (mean)
Composite CLT (LVL-SPF-LVL) 610×305×114 5 2.40 (mean)

western hemlock and Japanese larch) CLT and composite
CLT. Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF) was a mixture of three wood
species, commonly used for the CLT manufacturing in
North America. Obviously, the mechanical properties of
the CLT made from Canadian western hemlock and
domestic Japanese larch were comparable to and even
superior to SPF CLT.
Wang (2014) used poplar and Douglas fir as raw
materials to prepare evenly layered and homogeneous
CLT panels and evenly layered and hybrid CLT panels.
By the test of three- and five-layer CLT panels, an
optimization design method based on strength was
proposed. In addition, Mao (2015) studied the in-plane
mechanical properties (ultimate bearing capacity and
in-plane equivalent stiffness) of seven groups of 21 CLT
wall members, and the results showed that the in-plane
performance of the CLT panel was mainly in the elastic
stage and the failure was generally brittle.
Fu (2012) of the CHD analyzed the bending and
dynamic performance of the CLT bridge deck through
experiment, and discussed the influence of number of
layer and connection mode on the mechanical
performance of the CLT bridge deck.
2.2 Connection of CLT members
Domestic scholars had also carried out the relevant
research on the connection performance of the CLT
members. Sun et al. (2018) revised the hysteresis curve of
finite element simulation based on the node and wall test
of the CLT structure, and developed a finite element
model of the CLT structural node and wall. The numerical
simulation method was also applied to analyze the
influence of damper parameters on the energy
25 www.bioresources-bioproducts.com
consumption of the shear wall system for the pre-stressed
shear CLT wall system and the dual effects of pre-tension
on the energy dissipation and self-reset (Hu and He,
2018).
Dong et al. (2018) selected self-tapping screws to
connect the CLT. Through the monotonic loading and
gradual loading tests of the connected test pieces, the
results revealed that increasing the length and diameter of
the self-tapping screws can significantly improve the
shear capacity of the CLT connected pieces and when the
nailing angle was 45°, and the shear bearing capacity
achieved its maximum. And a good connection of butt
joint of main side material and oblique-nailed joint of the
STS on both left and right directions was proposed. In
order to evaluate the influence of laminate materials on
the lateral performance of the CLT shear wall, they tested
single lumber CLT and hybrid CLT of lumber and
laminated veneer lumber (LVL) under the unidirectional
and low-cycle repeated load and the hybrid CLT shear
wall exhibited good performance (Wang Z Q et al., 2017).
Zhang (2015) conducted a study on the integrity and
energy dissipation capacity of steel-wood buckling
restraint support. It was found that the CLT structure had
a good ability to restrain the steel tube. Therefore, the
design method and flow of steel-wood buckling restraint
support was presented.
The research on the seismic performance of semi- rigid
connections of the CLT was carried out by USTB. It was
found that the failure of all fasteners was pulled out as the
ideal ductile failure mode, and the hysteresis curve
showed high nonlinearity and degradation of stiffness and
strength and pinching phenomenon (Shen et al., 2015).
Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts, 2019, 4(1): 2230
Based on three flexible joint tests of CLT, the team used
OpenSees to simulate the high nonlinearity, degradation
of strength and stiffness and pinching and then carried out
damage analysis of the CLT connection (Shen et al.,
2016). And they also numerically studied the mechanical
performance of steel-frame and CLT infill wall structure
under the monotonous and cyclic loading. The effect of
cooperative performance between the CLT wall and the
steel frame and number of connections on overall
structure was analyzed (Shen et al., 2017).
Considering the characteristics of the structure and
section of the wood bridge deck, Gao (2010) proposed a
new bridge deck system based on the combination of the
CLT panel and steel beam. They found that the number of
layer and the connection method will affect the CLT
bridge deck. Jia et al. (2018), from BFU, conducted a
study on the shear performance of the T-connector at the
CLT wall-floor joint. The connectors were able to
withstand the shear force of the wall-slab joints and the
CLT wall showed good stiffness.
2.3 Engineering applications of CLT in China
Owing to the incompleteness of China’s specifications
and the public's lack of awareness of multi- and high-rise
wood buildings, the CLT were predominantly used in
low-rise buildings in China, and those buildings were
mainly built for demonstration purpose.
In March 2014, a two-storey wood construction
building with a hybrid light-frame and the CLT structure
in China was reported for demonstration in Qian’an City,
Hebei Province (Fig. 3a). And its CLT materials were
manufactured by Qian’an City Big Tree Industry Co., Ltd.,
which was the first producer of the CLT in China (Chen
et al., 2018). In the same year, the 5-storey CLT wood
construction building, the first multi-storey CLT building
in Asia, located in Taiwan Province, China was completed.
In this building, the architects made full use of the CLT’s
good cantilever performance, and set the cantilevered bal-
cony on the second, third and fourth floors (Fig. 3b1). In
addition, the CLT was left exposed inside the building,
which largely reflected the natural features of wood
construction (Fig. 3b2) (Strobel, 2016).
Figure 3c shows the China’s first public CLT
demonstration building (OTTO Café), which was jointly
26 www.bioresources-bioproducts.com
built by SCLC and Tongji University (Xiong et al., 2018).
All CLT panels were prefabricated. The prefabrication
method made the OTTO Café simple and convenient to
build meeting the requirements of green, low-carbon,
energy saving, environmental protection and
sustainability. Cooperating with Portugal Amerin Group,
SCLC successfully applied the insulated cork board as
insulation and cladding to build China’s first two-storey
ecological CLT house (Fig. 3d). Note that the OTTO Café
and the all-ecological CLT demonstration house (Fig. 3d)
were demolished and reconstructed after one year and it
took only three days to dissemble and reassemble, which
fully reflected the flexibility and adaptability of the CLT
buildings. Therefore, those types of the CLT buildings can
be widely applied for China’s tourism real estate,
urbanization and rural industrialization.
In addition, Zhongyi Scientech Timber Structure Co.,
Ltd., one manufacturer of the CLT located in Shandong
Province, also carried out some engineering applications
of the CLT. The business building of the Binzhou
Administrative Center was one case, which was designed
to use composite CLT elements combined with wooden
beams and columns.
2.4 Development of CLT standardization in China
Cross-Laminated Timber (LY/T3039-2018), a National
Forestry and Grassland Administration forestry industry
standard, completed by SCAU and SCLC etc., was
officially released at the end of 2018 and will be officially
implemented in May 2019. Although the newly
promulgated Standard for design of timber structures (GB
50005-2017) and Technical standard for multi-story and
high rise timber buildings (GB/T 51226-2017) provided
specifications for the CLT component design and
connector design, etc., The construction and acceptance
specifications have not yet been completed (Li Z et al.,
2018; Liu and Yang, 2019). Especially, at present, the lack
of regulations in the area of fire prevention and building
inspection resulted in some obstacles for promoting the
residential and non-residential CLT buildings.
 Hao LI et al.: Cross-laminated Timber (CLT) in China: A State-of-the-Art

Fig. 3 The CLT wood construction buildings in China. (a) CLT wood construction building in Qian’an, Hebei; (b) CLT wood
construction building in Taiwan; (c) OTTO Café in Ninghai, Zhejiang; (d) All-ecological CLT demonstration house in Ninghai,
Zhejiang

3 Research on Bamboo-wood Composite CLT 3.1 Structure of bamboo-wood composite CLT

in China
Wood construction has broad prospects in China, but it
should be noted that the conflict between domestic timber
supply and demand was very prominent (Zhang, 2001; Yu
and Yu, 2013). Currently, a majority of dimension lumber
used for the CLT in China needs to be imported. Thus,
high transportation cost and tariff affected the
popularization of the CLT. Although the imported lumber
from the international market can alleviate the current
problem of wood supply and demand, excessive
dependence on imported lumber is not conducive to the
development of China’s wood construction industry.
Therefore, finding the new materials for the CLT
manufacturing is essential.
Su and Zhang (1995) proposed that bamboo- wood
composite structure is an effective way to utilize bamboo
resources. Both bamboo and wood are anisotropic
materials. Bamboo has the characteristics of high strength,
good wear resistance and high toughness and wood has
the characteristics of high rigidity, large strength-to-
weight ratio and convenient to process. Thus, the use of
bamboo and wood to produce bamboo-wood composite
CLT can give full play to their own material advantages.
And it can also help alleviate the current situation of
domestic tight wood supply and promote the
commercialization of the CLT.
Bamboo-wood composite CLT, if reasonably designed
using bamboo-based materials and wood-based materials,
should be an innovative engineered composite product
with Chinese characteristics and high strength and
aesthetic values. Several Chinese patents of such products
have been jointly issued or applied by NFU and SCLC
(Zhang et al., 2010; Wei and Wang, 2019).
As shown in Fig. 4, the bamboo-wood composite CLT
can be divided into two categories. Using bamboo-based
materials as the longitudinal layer of the CLT and wood
based materials as the transverse layer (Fig. 4a) was first
been thought to obtain bamboo-wood composite CLT
with good toughness. To improve the rolling shear
strength of the transverse layer, bamboo-based materials
can be used for the transverse layer of the CLT panel, and
wood-based materials for the longitudinal layer in the
other structure (Fig. 4b). Herein, wood-based materials
should include oriented strand board (OSB), plywood and
the LVL and other SCL and bamboo-based materials
should comprise bamboo-mat plywood, bamboo curtain
plywood and bamboo-wood-mat plywood, laminated
bamboo lumber, reconstituted bamboo (or bamboo
scrimber), and other engineered bamboo materials.
Fig. 4 Typical structure of bamboo-wood composite CLT
The above two types of bamboo-wood composite CLT
are only the basic three-layer CLT panel structure. The
main structure parameters include number of layers, layer
composition and position, and so on. In addition to the
above, the structure of bamboo-wood composite CLT

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Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts, 2019, 4(1): 2230
could have other variations. For example, it can be nailed
for element assembly, or be assembled with different
layer angles, and even box-type of panel structure.
The SCLC is the first institute in China working on the
development of bamboo-wood composite CLT products.
Those products have been tested for bonding durability
and bending and compression performance, and are ready
for commercialization. A portion of those research results
have been published (Wei et al., 2019). In this work, bam-
boo parallel strand lumber was selected as the surface
layers of composite CLT (the same structure as Fig. 4a).
The average inter-laminar shear strength of bamboo-
wood composite CLT was 2.38 MPa, which was almost
the same as that of hem-fir CLT according to the previous
work (Wang et al., 2018). Under dry condition, block
shear strength and wood failure percentage of
bamboo-wood composite CLT were respectively 2.07
MPa and 70.6%, which were lower than that of hem-fir
CLT. Under vacuum pressure soak/dry (VPD) conditions,
block shear strength and wood failure percentage of
bamboo-wood composite CLT were respectively 1.12
MPa and 78.7%, which were also lower than that of
hem-fir CLT. Using PUR adhesive, the average
delamination rate of bamboo-wood composite CLT was
6.8%. Thus, bamboo-wood composite CLT had better
bond durability than hem-fir CLT.
3.2 Promotion of bamboo-wood composite CLT
Bamboo-wood composite CLT is an innovative
engineered wood product with Chinese characteristics,
but there are some problems that need to be resolved. For
example, bamboo-based materials and wood-based
materials were so different that poor bond between
bamboo and wood could present. Also, the production
process of bamboo-wood composite CLT panel is quite
different from the generic wood CLT, thus, the key
manufacturing parameters such as glue selection, glue
application rate, applied pressure, pressing time, etc.,
need to be systematically studied. Further, the
performance of the bamboo-wood composite CLT needs
to be thoroughly studied, and a product standard needs to
be developed for engineered applications. Theoretically,
work is also needed to validate whether the commonly
used CLT theories such as Mechanically Jointed Beams
Theory, Shear Analogy Theory, K method and other CLT
calculation theories based on beam theory are applicable
to the mechanical modelling and calculation of
bamboo-wood composite CLT.
4 Conclusion and Outlook
As a new type of green building material, the CLT has
attracted widespread attention at home and abroad.
Developing CLT with Chinese characteristics and
28 www.bioresources-bioproducts.com
promoting CLT or hybrid CLT buildings can help reduce
carbon emission and save energy consumption, thus it has
important economic, social and ecological benefits. The
authors believed that the development of the CLT in
China had broad prospects based on the following
reasons:
(1) China has a large population and less land, which is
a bottleneck in the development of wood construction
building. According to Standard for design of timber
structures (GB 50005-2017), the height of wood
construction building should not exceed three stories.
However, the CLT makes the high-rise wood building
possible, which will be more suitable for China.
(2) The CLT is a new generation green and low-carbon
building material suited for prefabricated buildings. There
is a big push in China toward off-site construction. Two
standards have been officially published in 2017 related
to prefab wood constructions.
(3) China lacks timber but has abundant bamboo
resources. Bamboo-wood composite CLT should exhibit
light-weight and high-strength performance, which is of
significance to promote the development of bamboo or
wood prefabricated buildings in China. Wood has higher
stiffness and bamboo has better strength. The two
materials should be reasonably combined for
high-performance and low-cost. It is technically feasible
to manufacture bamboo-wood composite CLT using the
same process as wood CLT. Further test is needed to
investigate the performance-rated bamboo-hemlock CLT.
At the same time, we should improve the relevant wood
theory of composite CLT as soon as possible, and
establish its product standard.
Currently, the cost of wood constructions in China is
much higher than that built with steel and concrete. Thus,
adopting the hybrid structure of the CLT and steel or
concrete for high-rise building, or using the hybrid
structure of light wood frame and the CLT, is a potential
solution. Note that the CLT, as a new material, is still in
its infancy in China. Therefore, further research is
deemed necessary to better understand its performance
and establish its standard for product promotion and
commercialization.
Acknowledgments
The present work was financially sponsored by the
science project of JSCAF (No. 2017KJ04) and Natural
Science Research General Project of Jiangsu Province
(No. 16KJD220001). It was also supported by Ningbo
Science Research Project of Social Development
(No. 2017C510004) and Postdoctoral Research Funding
Program of Jiangsu Province (No. 2018K121C). This
work was further supported by Alberta/Zhejiang
 Hao LI et al.: Cross-laminated Timber (CLT) in China: A State-of-the-Art
International Technology Partnership (ITP) Program.
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