The Power of Curvature in Advancing Sustainable Timber Design - Shakira Nyiratuza

Year
2026
Organisation
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Tags
cross laminated timber CLT research
sustainable building materials
curved CLT structures
timber engineering architecture
low carbon construction materials
engineered wood panels CLT
structural performance curved timber
sustainable architecture materials
timber alternative to steel concrete
CLT fabrication testing
green building structural materials
timber construction innovation
Summary

Buildings contribute nearly 40% of global carbon emissions, largely from steel and concrete. This research explores curved cross-laminated timber (CLT), a renewable engineered wood material. The study evaluates whether curvature improves stiffness and efficiency, potentially enabling sustainable structural and architectural structures that replace carbon-intensive materials