Timber construction, integrated from start to finish.

This interactive simulator provides preliminary estimates based on industry average parameters for mass timber (CLT) construction compared to traditional reinforced concrete structural systems. Below are the equations, conversion factors, and academic references backing each metric:

1. Net Carbon (Embodied Carbon)

Formula / Parameters:

• Mass Timber (CLT): Calculates a net biogenic carbon sequestration of -180 kg CO₂-eq per m² (-0.18 t/m²). This factors in the biogenic carbon stored by the tree during growth, offsetting the harvesting, technical manufacturing, and transport footprint.
  Car Equivalency Calculation: Based on the US EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies, where an average passenger car emits 4.6 metric tons of CO₂ per year (t CO₂ × 0.22).
• Conventional Concrete / Steel: Average embodied carbon emissions are calculated at +350 kg CO₂-eq per m² (+0.35 t/m²), derived from clinker decarbonation, cement kiln fuels, and steel smelting.

Academic & Industrial References:

• IStructE (Institution of Structural Engineers): "How to calculate embodied carbon" (The industry standard global guidance).
• CCCS (Colombia Green Building Council): National baseline indicators and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) database for structural materials.
• Arauco Hilam: Certified Environmental Product Declarations (EPD / DAP) for Glulam and CLT panels.

2. Assembly Timeframe (Gray-Phase Duration)

Formula / Parameters:

• Traditional Concrete: Estimated at 0.25 working days per m² of built area. For a 1,200 m² building, this equates to roughly 300 days of wet structural phase.
• Mass Timber (CLT): Applies a schedule reduction of 35% (duration = 65% of conventional concrete days) due to the off-site precision CNC manufacturing and dry on-site assembly.

Academic & Industrial References:

• WoodWorks Wood Products Council: "Mass Timber Design and Cost Optimization Checklist" (Case studies demonstrate 30% to 45% schedule savings on structural paths).
• Lean Construction Institute (LCI): Productivity indexes comparing industrialised dry prefab assembly against wet-poured concrete.

3. Financial Returns & VIS Parity

Formula / Parameters:

• Commercial / Residential Buildings: Projects a return on investment (ROI) increase of 10% to 15% (scaling by area: 10 + Area / 1000). This is driven by rapid project capitalization (drastically reduced interim construction loan interests and earlier rental/pre-sale collections) coupled with a biophilic green premium in valuation.
• Social Housing (VIS / VIP): At VIS scales, the tool outputs "Parity" because the raw material price premium of engineered timber is completely absorbed by the massive reductions in site overheads (scaffolding, formwork, cranes, site labor, and significantly lighter foundation loads).

Academic & Industrial References:

• World Green Building Council (WGBC): "The Business Case for Green Building" (Evidence on asset appreciation premiums for certified green buildings).
• Earned Value Management (EVM) standard: Cash flow simulations adapted to industrialised off-site construction timelines.

4. Insurance Policy

Formula / Parameters:

• The -15% discount on Builder's Risk and decennial liability premiums is unlocked by the Speckle + Odoo digital quality record. Every component features a digital twin recording its manufacturing moisture levels, structural adhesive batches, and certified Fire Resistance Ratings (FRR).

Academic & Industrial References:

• Alliance for Sustainable Building Products (ASBP): "Mass Timber Insurance Playbook" (London, 2024 - Technical guidance for mass timber risk underwriting).
• Global Reinsurers (Swiss Re / Munich Re): Underwriting criteria for engineered timber using digital quality control, BIM models, and IoT structural monitoring.

This interactive simulator provides preliminary estimates based on industry average parameters for mass timber (CLT) construction compared to traditional reinforced concrete structural systems. Below are the equations, conversion factors, and academic references backing each metric:

1. Net Carbon (Embodied Carbon)

Formula / Parameters:

• Mass Timber (CLT): Calculates a net biogenic carbon sequestration of -180 kg CO₂-eq per m² (-0.18 t/m²). This factors in the biogenic carbon stored by the tree during growth, offsetting the harvesting, technical manufacturing, and transport footprint.
  Car Equivalency Calculation: Based on the US EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies, where an average passenger car emits 4.6 metric tons of CO₂ per year (t CO₂ × 0.22).
• Traditional Concrete / Steel: Calculates an average embodied carbon emission of +350 kg CO₂-eq per m² (+0.35 t/m²), driven by cement clinker calcination, furnace fuels, and steel smelting.

Academic & Industrial References:

• IStructE (Institution of Structural Engineers): "How to calculate embodied carbon" (The industry standard global guidance).
• CCCS (Colombia Green Building Council): National baseline indicators and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) database for structural materials.
• Arauco Hilam: Certified Environmental Product Declarations (EPD / DAP) for Glulam and CLT panels.

2. Assembly Timeframe (Gray-Phase Duration)

Formula / Parameters:

• Traditional Concrete: Estimated at 0.25 working days per m² of built area. For a 1,200 m² building, this equates to roughly 300 days of wet-phase structural execution.
• Mass Timber (CLT): Applies a schedule reduction of 35% (duration = 65% of conventional concrete days) due to the off-site precision CNC manufacturing and dry on-site assembly.

Academic & Industrial References:

• WoodWorks Wood Products Council: "Mass Timber Design and Cost Optimization Checklist" (Case studies demonstrate 30% to 45% schedule savings on structural paths).
• Lean Construction Institute (LCI): Productivity indexes comparing industrialised dry prefab assembly against wet-poured concrete.

3. Financial Returns & VIS Parity

Formula / Parameters:

• Commercial / Residential Buildings: Projects a return on investment (ROI) increase of 10% to 15% (scaling by area: 10 + Area / 1000). This is driven by rapid project capitalization (drastically reduced interim construction loan interests and earlier rental/pre-sale collections) coupled with a biophilic green premium in valuation.
• Social Housing (VIS / VIP): At VIS scales, the tool outputs "Parity" because the raw material price premium of engineered timber is completely absorbed by the massive reductions in site overheads (scaffolding, formwork, cranes, site labor, and significantly lighter foundation loads).

Academic & Industrial References:

• World Green Building Council (WGBC): "The Business Case for Green Building" (Evidence on asset appreciation premiums for certified green buildings).
• Earned Value Management (EVM) standard: Cash flow simulations adapted to industrialised off-site construction timelines.

Insurance Policy

Formula / Parameters:

• The -15% discount on Builder's Risk and decennial liability premiums is unlocked by the Speckle + Odoo digital quality record. Every component features a digital twin recording its manufacturing moisture levels, structural adhesive batches, and certified Fire Resistance Ratings (FRR).

Academic & Industrial References:

• Alliance for Sustainable Building Products (ASBP): "Mass Timber Insurance Playbook" (London, 2024 - Technical guidance for mass timber risk underwriting).
• Global Reinsurers (Swiss Re / Munich Re): Underwriting criteria for engineered timber using digital quality control, BIM models, and IoT structural monitoring.