A digital circularity approach to leverage waste lumber in dowel-laminated timber slabs
Open accessAbstract
Given the substantial carbon impact of buildings, structural systems which are low in embodied carbon are needed to address climate change. The use of salvaged materials for structural applications presents the opportunity to divert construction and demolition waste while reducing the embodied carbon of new structural components. This paper proposes a typology for dowel-laminated timber (DLT) slabs built up from waste lumber offcuts. A mechanical model for the DLT system composed of geometrically heterogeneous offcuts is developed. A workflow which leverages algorithmic methods for inventory assignment and structural optimization to design slabs which meet deflection requirements is introduced.
AI snapshot
Written from the paper’s full text.
TL;DR
This paper proposes a dowel-laminated timber (DLT) slab typology built from waste lumber offcuts, with a mechanical model and algorithmic workflow for inventory assignment and shape optimization. The workflow produced slab designs meeting an L/240 deflection limit, including sampled spans up to 6.00 m.
Key findings
- For a 3 m span and a synthetic inventory of 500 offcuts ranging from 0.1 m to 2.5 m in length and 2x4 to 2x12 in cross section, all shown designs met the deflection limit of L/240; some had lower maximum displacement than a continuous DLT reference slab.
- Optimization reduced trimming and processing: regular-interval designs A and B met deflection with comparable matching costs but required more trimming, while optimized designs C–F tended to use fewer 2x6 boards.
- Sampling the alternating-board parameterization found feasible designs across spans from 3.00 m to 6.00 m; for dowel spacings of 0.10 m and 0.20 m, feasible designs occurred for average board lengths between 0.06 m and 0.20 m, and spans reached the maximum tested value of 6.00 m with appropriate dowel spacing.
- Dowel spacing appeared to have an important role in structural performance and should be examined further.
Methods
- The study developed a mechanical model and finite element analysis (FEA) in Karamba/Grasshopper for a 10-lamination, one-way bending DLT slab, using pin and roller supports, a total load of 0.18 kN/m per lamination, 2 cm diameter dowels, and assumed SPF No.2 wood properties.
- The design space was parametrized using three approaches: regularly spaced divisions alternating between laminations, a single control surface, and two control surfaces; the Hungarian matching algorithm via the Digital Circularity Toolkit assigned inventory to the parametrized geometry, with penalties for curves under 1.5 inches or fewer than two dowels per board.
- A constrained optimization using COBYLA/Radical minimized matching cost subject to a deflection limit of Δmax = L/240, and the design space was sampled for spans from 3.00 m to 6.00 m with dowel spacings of 0.10 m and 0.20 m.
Limitations
- The paper states that future research should include fabrication and testing of physical DLT slab prototypes to understand how closely their behavior matches the mechanical model, broader inventory management and supply chain analysis, consideration of structural weight for comparison, and further examination of dowel spacing.
- Evident from the text: the analysis uses a synthetic inventory and assumed SPF No.2 material properties rather than a real waste lumber supply, and the results are based on FEA and optimization without experimental validation.
Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
14 of 26 cited sources checked · 13 supported · 0 flagged · accuracy not yet measured
- Premisecitation
Several studies have shown the potential of including reclaimed wood in cross-laminated timber (CLT) and dowel-laminated timber (DLT) products.
“Several studies have shown the potential of including reclaimed wood in these products, such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) (Arbelaez, Schimleck, and Sinha 2020;Llana et al. 2022) and dowel-laminated timber DOI: 10.1201/9781003658641-8 (DLT) (Giordano, Derikvand, and Fink 2023).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim3 of 3 sources checked - Premisecitation
The development of engineered mass timber products which incorporate salvaged wood demonstrates the potential of repurposing construction waste for new structural uses.
“The development of engineered mass timber products which incorporate salvaged wood demonstrates the potential of repurposing construction waste for new structural uses (Arbelaez, Schimleck, and Sinha 2020;Giordano, Derikvand, and Fink 2023;Llana et al. 2022;Rose et al. 2018;Asa et al. 2024).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim3 of 3 sources checked - Premisecitation
Algorithmic approaches have been developed to match irregular inventory geometries to target designs for structural applications.
“Algorithmic approaches have been developed to match irregular inventory geometries to target designs for structural applications (Huang et al. 2021;T. Cousin et al. 2023;Amtsberg et al. 2020;Brütting et al. 2019).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 3 sources checked- cites Huang et al. 2021 source
Section 2.1 describes algorithmically matching inventory elements to a target structural design by geometric fit and structural capacity. Sections 3.1 and 4.1 show that this paper’s method matches reused linear timber members of varying lengths and cross sections; it does not demonstrate matching irregularly shaped elements, so the claim’s reference to irregular geometries is broader than the paper’s own method. (LLM, conf=0.81)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measured - cites T. Cousin et al. 2023
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- cites Amtsberg et al. 2020
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- Findingreasoning
For designs A and B, more trimming is required for the offcuts to meet the regular intervals of the discretization.
“However, for designs A and B, more trimming is required for the offcuts to meet the regular intervals of the discretization.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingnone given
Designs C-F tend to incorporate fewer 2x6 boards than designs A and B.
“These designs, C -F, tend to incorporate fewer 2x6 boards than designs A and B.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
- Findingown data
In several cases, the geometry found through the design process results in lower maximum displacement values than the value found for the continuous DLT slab.
“In several cases, the geometry found through the design process results in lower maximum displacement values than the value found for the continuous DLT slab.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
For dowel spacings of 0.10 m and 0.20 m, feasible designs are found for average board lengths between 0.06 m and 0.20 m.
“For dowel spacings of 0.10 m and 0.20 m, feasible designs are found for average board lengths between 0.06 m and 0.20 m.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
All of the designs shown in Figure 4 are capable of producing designs which meet the deflection limit of L/240.
“All of the designs shown in Figure 4 are capable of producing designs which meet the deflection limit of L/240.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingnone given
The designs resulting from geometry optimization using both a single control surface and two control surfaces produce comparable results.
“The designs resulting from geometry optimization using both a single control surface and two control surfaces produce comparable results.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim - Findingown data
With appropriate dowel spacing, spans can reach the maximum value tested of 6.00 m while meeting the deflection limit.
“With appropriate dowel spacing, spans can reach the maximum value tested of 6.00 m while meeting the deflection limit.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingown data
Dowel spacing appears to have an important role in structural performance.
“Dowel spacing appears to have an important role in structural performance, which should be examined further.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Findingnone given
Considering several approaches for parametrizing the design space, a range of slab geometries are produced which satisfy structural deflection limits.
“Considering several approaches for parametrizing the design space, a range of slab geometries are produced which satisfy structural deflection limits.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
Combined, algorithmic matching and structural optimization methods are well-suited to address the nonuniform dimensions involved in salvaged wood mass timber products.
“Combined, these methods are well-suited to address the nonuniform dimensions involved in salvaged wood mass timber products.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim - Interpretationreasoning
Optimization can reduce the amount of trimming and processing required to manufacture the designed geometry from an inventory of offcuts.
“Optimization can reduce the amount of trimming and processing required to manufacture the designed geometry from an inventory of offcuts.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
- Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 12
- May combine two claims. 4
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationGiordano et al. develop a strategy for combining short salvaged timber boards with new timber in DLT assemblies which does not require end-to-end joining.
“Giordano et al. develop a strategy for combining short salvaged timber boards with new timber in DLT assemblies which does not require endto-end joining (Giordano, Derikvand, and Fink 2023).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked- cites Giordano, Derikvand, and Fink 2023 source
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationSeveral studies explore the reuse of lumber sourced from deconstruction and recovered timber in CLT structural elements.
“Several studies explore the reuse of lumber sourced from deconstruction and recovered timber in CLT structural elements (Arbelaez, Schimleck, and Sinha 2020;Rose et al. 2018;Llana et al. 2022).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim3 of 3 sources checkedProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationAlgorithmic approaches have been proposed to address the geometric challenges of designing with an inventory of nonstandard materials.
“Algorithmic approaches have been proposed to address the geometric challenges of designing with an inventory of nonstandard materials (Brütting, Senatore, and Fivet 2019;Brütting et al. 2019;Huang et al. 2021;T. Cousin et al. 2023).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 3 sources checkedMay combine two claims.
PremisecitationDLT is particularly beneficial because it does not require adhesives or metal fasteners, contributing to its circularity.
“DLT is particularly beneficial since it does not require adhesives or metal fasteners, contributing to its circularity (Han et al. 2023).”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked- cites Han et al. 2023 source
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationAlgorithmic methods have been used to reduce required material quantities through the optimization of structural form.
“Algorithmic methods have also been used to facilitate another approach for limiting embodied carbon in buildings: reducing required material quantities through the optimization of structural form (Mayencourt and Mueller 2020;Ismail, Mayencourt, and Mueller 2021).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 2 sources checkedMay combine two claims.
Findingown dataDesigns A and B result in geometries which meet the deflection requirement and with matching costs comparable to those found through optimization.
“These designs result in geometries which meet the deflection requirement and with matching costs comparable to those found through optimization.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
Findingown dataFigure 4 shows feasible designs which meet the deflection limit found by sampling the design space for the alternating board parametrization across a range of spans from 3.00 m to 6.00 m with varying levels of discretization.
“Figure 4 shows feasible designs which meet the deflection limit found by sampling the design space for the alternating board parametrization across a range of spans from 3.00 m to 6.00 m with varying levels of discretization.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationApplications of this workflow include designing with irregular wood inventories, such as tree forks.
“Applications of this workflow include designing with irregular wood inventories, such as tree forks (Amtsberg et al. 2020;Tim Cousin et al. 2023).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked- cites Amtsberg et al. 2020
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
- cites Tim Cousin et al. 2023
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationCousin et al. demonstrate a workflow for implementing the Hungarian matching algorithm to facilitate automated inventory assignment.
“Cousin et al. demonstrate a workflow for implementing the Hungarian matching algorithm to facilitate automated inventory assignment (T.Cousin et al. 2023).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites T. Cousin et al. 2023
Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).
InterpretationreasoningThe development of an additive approach for manufacturing optimized structural forms, which makes use of the full cross section of dimensional lumber, could address the concern that subtractive methods disrupt wood fiber continuity.
“The development of an additive approach for manufacturing these forms, which makes use of the full cross section of dimensional lumber, could address this concern.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim- Rests on an assumption: The subtractive manufacturing methods required to produce optimized structural forms can disrupt the continuity of wood fibers.
Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationComputational implementations of the structural optimization of mass timber beams show how the geometry of wood components can be shaped to match structural demands.
“Computational implementations of the structural optimization of mass timber beams show how the geometry of wood components can be shaped to match structural demands (Mayencourt and Mueller 2020).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked- cites Mayencourt and Mueller 2020 source
May combine two claims.
InterpretationreasoningPrior studies establish the structural feasibility of designing engineered wood products with salvaged materials but do not explore how computational tools can facilitate the geometric assembly of components or inform their structural design.
“While these studies establish the structural feasibility of designing engineered wood products with salvaged materials, they do not explore how computational tools can facilitate the geometric assembly of components or inform their structural design.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimClassified as probably not a substantial claim.
InterpretationcitationThis workflow is appropriate for automating the geometric matching of lumber offcuts in a composite slab structure.
“This workflow is appropriate for automating the geometric matching of lumber offcuts in a composite slab structure.”
Quote in the paperSubstantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.
Study design and conductreasoningThe behavior of a 10-lamination DLT slab configuration is representative of a full slab because it is a one-way bending system.
“The behavior of this 10-lamination configuration is representative of a full slab since it is a one-way bending system.”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claimProbably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).
PremisecitationThe use or reuse of salvaged materials for structural applications is a growing research area.
“However, the use or reuse of salvaged materials for structural applications is a growing research area (Gorgolewski 2017;De Wolf, Çetin, and Bocken 2024;Bergsagel and Heisel 2023;Brütting, Senatore, and Fivet 2019).”
Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
The paper relies on this without support.
Offcuts originate from a material supply with known mechanical properties.
“Since offcuts originate from a material supply with known mechanical properties, geometric heterogeneity is the main design challenge in this case.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Substituting full-length boards for offcuts of varied lengths without employing end-to-end joining poses a structural challenge.
“Substituting full-length boards for offcuts of varied lengths without employing end-to-end joining poses a structural challenge.”
The paper relies on this without support.
The conventional structural rehabilitation practice of sistering joists demonstrates that adjacent structural members connected laterally are capable of sharing loads without full-length continuity.
“The conventional structural rehabilitation practice of sistering joists demonstrates that adjacent structural members connected laterally are capable of sharing loads without full-length continuity.”
The paper relies on this without support.
The subtractive manufacturing methods required to produce optimized structural forms can disrupt the continuity of wood fibers.
“However, the subtractive manufacturing methods required to produce these optimized structural forms can disrupt the continuity of wood fibers.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Currently, the use of salvaged wood structural components often involves downcycling for use as architectural finishes or feedstock for processed wood-based materials.
“Currently, the use of salvaged wood structural components often involves downcycling for use as architectural finishes or feedstock for processed wood-based materials.”
The paper relies on this without support.
Designing with irregular salvaged materials poses challenges both in terms of geometric and material heterogeneity.
“Designing with irregular salvaged materials poses challenges both in terms of geometric and material heterogeneity.”
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Cited by
Sorted by citations
Stock- and stress-informed design and fabrication of load-bearing structures from reclaimed timber
Kunic, A., Angeletti, D., Nabi, J., & Naboni, R. (2026) · Low-carbon Materials and Green Construction · doi:10.1007/s44242-026-00115-y
- Authors
- Blowes, R. M., Lee, K. J., Mayencourt, P., Kennedy, S., & Mueller, C.
- Affiliations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (US)
- University of California, Berkeley (US)
- Venue
- Structures and Architecture
- Publisher
- CRC Press
- Published
- 2025-06-30
- Pages
- 59-66
- OpenAlex
- W4411832476
- Cited by
- 1
- References
- 21
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1
- FWCI
- 3.97
- Type
- book chapter
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- CRC Press eBooks (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Building and Construction › Wood Treatment and Properties
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering › Optimization and Packing Problems
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Architecture › Architecture and Computational Design
- Keywords
- circular construction, embodied carbon, construction and demolition waste, salvaged materials, timber slabs, mechanical modeling, algorithmic design, structural optimization, digital design workflow
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