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/

Publication series

Name	Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering
Volume	726 LNCE
ISSN (Print)	2366-2557
ISSN (Electronic)	2366-2565

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/

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production

Access to Document

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). (Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering; Vol. 726 LNCE). 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 (Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering).

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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.",

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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, Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, vol. 726 LNCE, 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 (Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering; Vol. 726 LNCE).

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

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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.

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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. (Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering). doi: 10.1007/978-981-95-0090-1_24

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

Abstract

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UN SDGs

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