Steel-Timber Hybrid Buildings Research Meeting: Construction Logistics

24 May 2022

The Construction Logistics Break-out Group was led by Lisa Podesto, Senior Business Development
Manager, Design-Build Americas, Lendlease.


Questions considered included:
  • Prefabrication

Product differences: Steel is very standardized, but cross-laminated timber (CLT) has varying sizes per manufacturer, requires code approvals, etc.

Installation: Can a hybrid general contractor would be on-site, or would a steel subcontractor be in control of CLT and connections? How can trade labor disputes be avoided?

  • Coordination

Should MEP coordination be frozen early, so that penetrations are part of the prefabrication process?

How can designers and contracting trades balance liability and avoid redundant modeling efforts?

Logistics and sequencing: Which cranes to use and when? What are the transport costs?

How to account for differential creep between materials?

  • Detailing

Is there a need for additional tolerance in bolted connections?

Is field welding an option? How can field work be minimized generally, in favor of shop fabrication?

How can standards and project specifications be aligned?

How should erection be sequenced?

How to control for moisture during construction, especially at interfaces?

  • Contingencies

How to account for unforeseen supply chain issues, field fixes, etc.?