“Construction time and cost estimates for post-tensioned multi-storey timber buildings."

This paper describes post-tensioned timber alternative
designs for a six-storey office building in New Zealand. The building has long-span timber–concrete composite floors supported on laminated veneer lumber beams,
columns and walls. Lateral loads are resisted with
moment-resisting post-tensioned timber frames in one
direction and post-tensioned cantilever timber walls in
the other direction. This paper compares the time and
cost of timber construction with the concrete building
actually being constructed. Construction times of the timber and concrete buildings are found to be almost identical. The cost of the timber alternative is approximately 6% more than concrete or steel designs. This paper demonstrates the opportunity for post-tensioned
timber to compete with concrete and steel for multistorey long-span office buildings, providing a more
sustainable alternative.