Affiliation:
1. Department of Steel and Composite Structures, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Sauletekio al. 11, 10223 Vilnius, Lithuania
2. Department of Construction Management and Real Estate, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, Sauletekio al. 11, 10223 Vilnius, Lithuania
Abstract
To reduce the negative impact on the environment, architects, designers, and construction companies need to find and apply eco-friendly and sustainable building solutions. Due to its renewable nature and numerous advantages, timber has become an attractive substitute for steel and concrete in both residential and non-residential construction projects. However, timber application in the construction of grocery stores is a relatively new concept. The purpose of this research is to propose three alternative timber-based structural systems for a grocery store in Lithuania and to select the most efficient option based on multi-criteria decision-making methods. Three alternative glued laminated timber (glulam) structural systems—the glulam column and truss system, the glulam three-hinge frame system, and the glulam column and double-tapered beam system—were designed. The systems were evaluated against ten criteria, reflecting structural properties, cost efficiency, assembling complexity, and aesthetics. Multiple-criteria assessments by the COmplex PRoportional ASsessment (COPRAS) method and simple additive weighting (SAW) method revealed that the best-performing alternative is the glulam column and double-tapered beam system due to the lower cost of load-bearing structures, the smaller quantity of required steel details and fittings, and the highest maximum utility ratio according to serviceability limit states compared to other alternatives.
Funder
European Commission Erasmus+ programme, under the projects “Sustainable Construction with Bio-Composite Materials”
“Innovative Higher Education in Sustainable Timber Construction”