X-Lam Panels in Swimming-Pool Building – Monitoring the Environment and the Performance

The cross-laminated timber panels (X-Lam panels) are produced for structural use in Service Classes 1 and 2 conditions, in accordance with what is established on Eurocode 5 [. Timber boards are glued together on orthogonal layers, allowing the panel to perform two important characteristics: good dimensional stability and loading in two-way directions. The influence of wood moisture content on the feasibility of cross-laminated timber is described in this paper regarding the dimensional stability of the panels when applied in high moisture locations. Several European Technical Approvals, state the low importance of the dimensional variations with moisture content of this type of panel, but some reference values can be found in other technical documents. The French Avis Technique [[[1 reference the value of 0.01mm/m for in-plane deformation (per percentage of timber moisture variation) and the TRADA Wood Information Sheet, WIS 2/3-62 [1, refers the maximum value of 0.02mm/m for the same conditions.The use of the X-Lam panels in Service Class 3 can not be used, concerning the high level of stressing in glue lines, and no producer has yet certified it for this Service Class. Moreover, the French Avis Technique doesnt allow the use of X-Lam panels in swimming-pools due to high hygrometry, even for conditions corresponding to Service Class 2.Cross laminated timber panels are widely used across Europe but are giving the first steps in Portugal at the moment. The first big project was finished in spring 2012 in Almada, comprising a building integrating a 25 meter in-door swimming-pool and a gym. In order to assess the behavior of the timber structure, due to the non-conventional using of the X-Lam panels, a monitoring program was started immediately after building construction. The results obtained are presented and discussed in this paper.