Innovative Use of Small Diameter Wood
in Structures

BCE has developed a working relationship with the U.S. Forest Service and the Forest Products Laboratory (USDA) to study the use of small diameter logs in building construction. This relationship has been made possible through a grant from the Montana Development Corporation. With a dwindling resource of large, old-growth timber available in the world, the need for creative uses of existing materials is becoming an ever-increasing necessity. In our collaboration with the aforementioned agencies, we have found that the use of this abundant resource is not only economically feasible, but also versatile.

Darby Library

Location: Darby, MT

Dubbed the “Sistine Chapel of small-diameter round wood” the library opened in the spring of 2004. The 5,500 sf building with a construction budget of nearly $900,000, was the first commercial building to extensively use small-diameter round wood for the main structure under Forest Product Lab’s demonstration initiative. The Forest Service provided major grants for design and construction. Major structural elements include clustered columns, parallel chord trusses, and large mono trusses. Both truss types utilized steel rods with unique 1/3 radius pipe sections with kerf plates for tension connections to round wood members. The project was recognized by the Undersecretary of Agriculture with a National Fire Plan award for small wood utilization. The Darby community has a long association with traditional logging, and initial discussions on design occurred shortly after the locally devastating wildfire season of 2000 highlighted the need for hazardous-fuel reduction and restoration programs in local forests.

ALDO Leopold Legacy Center

Location: Araboo, WI

The Legacy Center is comprised of three buildings; a 10,000 sf multiple use building, a “barn” (garage/storage) and “Seed Gathering” hall. The LEEDS certified project was designed by Kubala Washatko Architects for The Aldo Leopold Foundation. Engineering for elements of various buildings was provided under funding from the Forest Products Lab, Madison, WI. Initial efforts involved working with the staff ecologist on harvest of suitable Red Pine from the site in quantities, lengths required for the proposed building elements and treatment and seasoning to achieve optimal moisture content after felling. Mono trusses and round wood purlins were designed from the red pine for the barn and hall.

National Forest Service History Museum

Location: Missoula, MT

Project design is slated for the fall of 2007, with construction of the 10,000 sf building scheduled for 2008. A Forest Service Grant to the Montana Community Development Corporation is funding the design. Small-diameter round wood will be utilized for main structural elements. The architect for the project is OZA of Missoula, MT.

Salt Creek Summit — Wallowa National Forest

Location: Enterprise, OR

This multi-purpose building was completed in 2005, and is at a high use Forest Service recreational area. The design was coordinated with the FS and various user groups. A groomer shed, cross country skiing warming hut and first aid room are located in the building. Small-diameter round wood trusses are a main element in the structure.