Sustainable Modular Timber Membrane Shade Structures from Under-Utilised Plantation Thinnings

Joseph M. Gattas; Kim Baber; Geoffrey Stringer

doi:10.1007/978-981-95-0090-1_24

Sustainable Modular Timber Membrane Shade Structures from Under-Utilised Plantation Thinnings

Joseph M. Gattas^*, Kim Baber, Geoffrey Stringer

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Research › peer-review

Abstract

Membrane structures are widely used across Australia as a cost-effective way to provide large shaded areas. This research explores the feasibility of reducing the embodied emissions in such structures by replacing their structural steel components with round timber ‘thinnings’, available as a low-value byproduct from forestry plantation management operations. Roundwood thinning samples from an effluent-irrigated spotted gum plantation are first tested to establish preliminary material characteristics and a design stress grade. Four joints suited for roundwood timber connection are then proposed based on differing levels of steel material requirement, and tested under flexure to establish their rotational ductility and stiffness. From the obtained testing data, a roundwood timber membrane structure is proposed and compared to the existing steel-framed structure using an embodied energy analysis.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Proceedings of the 18th East Asia-Pacific Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction, Volume 3
Editors	Somnuk Tangtermsirikul, Pennung Warnitchai, Kriengsak Panuwatwanich, Ganchai Tanapornraweekit
Publisher	Springer
Pages	184-190
Number of pages	7
Volume	3
ISBN (Electronic)	9789819500901
ISBN (Print)	9789819500895
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-95-0090-1_24
Publication status	Published - 1 Oct 2025
Externally published	Yes
Event	The Eighteenth East Asia-Pacific Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction (EASEC-18) - Shangri-La Chiang Mai., Thailand Duration: 13 Nov 2024 → 15 Nov 2024 https://easec18.org/

Conference

Conference	The Eighteenth East Asia-Pacific Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction (EASEC-18)
Abbreviated title	EASEC-18
Country/Territory	Thailand
Period	13/11/24 → 15/11/24
Internet address	https://easec18.org/

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10.1007/978-981-95-0090-1_24

https://app.dimensions.ai/details/publication/pub.1193507080

Cite this

Gattas, J. M., Baber, K., & Stringer, G. (2025). Sustainable Modular Timber Membrane Shade Structures from Under-Utilised Plantation Thinnings. In S. Tangtermsirikul, P. Warnitchai, K. Panuwatwanich, & G. Tanapornraweekit (Eds.), Proceedings of the 18th East Asia-Pacific Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction, Volume 3 (Vol. 3, pp. 184-190). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-95-0090-1_24

Gattas, Joseph M. ; Baber, Kim ; Stringer, Geoffrey. / Sustainable Modular Timber Membrane Shade Structures from Under-Utilised Plantation Thinnings. Proceedings of the 18th East Asia-Pacific Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction, Volume 3. editor / Somnuk Tangtermsirikul ; Pennung Warnitchai ; Kriengsak Panuwatwanich ; Ganchai Tanapornraweekit. Vol. 3 Springer, 2025. pp. 184-190

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title = "Sustainable Modular Timber Membrane Shade Structures from Under-Utilised Plantation Thinnings",

abstract = "Membrane structures are widely used across Australia as a cost-effective way to provide large shaded areas. This research explores the feasibility of reducing the embodied emissions in such structures by replacing their structural steel components with round timber {\textquoteleft}thinnings{\textquoteright}, available as a low-value byproduct from forestry plantation management operations. Roundwood thinning samples from an effluent-irrigated spotted gum plantation are first tested to establish preliminary material characteristics and a design stress grade. Four joints suited for roundwood timber connection are then proposed based on differing levels of steel material requirement, and tested under flexure to establish their rotational ductility and stiffness. From the obtained testing data, a roundwood timber membrane structure is proposed and compared to the existing steel-framed structure using an embodied energy analysis.",

author = "Gattas, {Joseph M.} and Kim Baber and Geoffrey Stringer",

year = "2025",

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booktitle = "Proceedings of the 18th East Asia-Pacific Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction, Volume 3",

publisher = "Springer",

address = "Germany",

note = "The Eighteenth East Asia-Pacific Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction (EASEC-18), EASEC-18 ; Conference date: 13-11-2024 Through 15-11-2024",

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Gattas, JM, Baber, K & Stringer, G 2025, Sustainable Modular Timber Membrane Shade Structures from Under-Utilised Plantation Thinnings. in S Tangtermsirikul, P Warnitchai, K Panuwatwanich & G Tanapornraweekit (eds), Proceedings of the 18th East Asia-Pacific Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction, Volume 3. vol. 3, Springer, pp. 184-190, The Eighteenth East Asia-Pacific Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction (EASEC-18), Thailand, 13/11/24. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-95-0090-1_24

Sustainable Modular Timber Membrane Shade Structures from Under-Utilised Plantation Thinnings. / Gattas, Joseph M.; Baber, Kim; Stringer, Geoffrey.
Proceedings of the 18th East Asia-Pacific Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction, Volume 3. ed. / Somnuk Tangtermsirikul; Pennung Warnitchai; Kriengsak Panuwatwanich; Ganchai Tanapornraweekit. Vol. 3 Springer, 2025. p. 184-190.

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Research › peer-review

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T1 - Sustainable Modular Timber Membrane Shade Structures from Under-Utilised Plantation Thinnings

AU - Gattas, Joseph M.

AU - Baber, Kim

AU - Stringer, Geoffrey

PY - 2025/10/1

Y1 - 2025/10/1

N2 - Membrane structures are widely used across Australia as a cost-effective way to provide large shaded areas. This research explores the feasibility of reducing the embodied emissions in such structures by replacing their structural steel components with round timber ‘thinnings’, available as a low-value byproduct from forestry plantation management operations. Roundwood thinning samples from an effluent-irrigated spotted gum plantation are first tested to establish preliminary material characteristics and a design stress grade. Four joints suited for roundwood timber connection are then proposed based on differing levels of steel material requirement, and tested under flexure to establish their rotational ductility and stiffness. From the obtained testing data, a roundwood timber membrane structure is proposed and compared to the existing steel-framed structure using an embodied energy analysis.

AB - Membrane structures are widely used across Australia as a cost-effective way to provide large shaded areas. This research explores the feasibility of reducing the embodied emissions in such structures by replacing their structural steel components with round timber ‘thinnings’, available as a low-value byproduct from forestry plantation management operations. Roundwood thinning samples from an effluent-irrigated spotted gum plantation are first tested to establish preliminary material characteristics and a design stress grade. Four joints suited for roundwood timber connection are then proposed based on differing levels of steel material requirement, and tested under flexure to establish their rotational ductility and stiffness. From the obtained testing data, a roundwood timber membrane structure is proposed and compared to the existing steel-framed structure using an embodied energy analysis.

U2 - 10.1007/978-981-95-0090-1_24

DO - 10.1007/978-981-95-0090-1_24

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SN - 9789819500895

VL - 3

SP - 184

EP - 190

BT - Proceedings of the 18th East Asia-Pacific Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction, Volume 3

A2 - Tangtermsirikul, Somnuk

A2 - Warnitchai, Pennung

A2 - Panuwatwanich, Kriengsak

A2 - Tanapornraweekit, Ganchai

PB - Springer

T2 - The Eighteenth East Asia-Pacific Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction (EASEC-18)

Y2 - 13 November 2024 through 15 November 2024

ER -

Gattas JM, Baber K, Stringer G. Sustainable Modular Timber Membrane Shade Structures from Under-Utilised Plantation Thinnings. In Tangtermsirikul S, Warnitchai P, Panuwatwanich K, Tanapornraweekit G, editors, Proceedings of the 18th East Asia-Pacific Conference on Structural Engineering and Construction, Volume 3. Vol. 3. Springer. 2025. p. 184-190 doi: 10.1007/978-981-95-0090-1_24

Sustainable Modular Timber Membrane Shade Structures from Under-Utilised Plantation Thinnings

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