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Barriers to the Use of Cross-Laminated Timber for Mid-Rise Residential Buildings in the UAE

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  • Sabika Nasrim Pilathottathil

    (Architectural Engineering Department, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates)

  • Abdul Rauf

    (Architectural Engineering Department, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates)

Abstract

Buildings account for approximately 40% of global energy consumption annually, with substantial energy use occurring during both the construction and operation phases. The energy required for the production of construction materials contributes significantly to the overall energy intensity of the building sector. This underscores the critical need for materials with low embodied energy to mitigate the environmental impact associated with building construction and operation. Cross-laminated timber, massive timber product with excellent load-bearing capabilities, is becoming popular in mid-rise buildings worldwide. CLT’s environmental, economic, and social benefits surpass traditional materials, and its use is widespread in Europe, America, Canada, and Australia. However, no mid-rise CLT buildings have been constructed in the UAE yet. This study aims to investigate and identify the barriers to adopting CLT as a building material and construction system for mid-rise buildings in the UAE. A qualitative approach is used to study stakeholders’ behavior towards CLT construction. A comprehensive questionnaire survey and conversational interviews are conducted, with the responses analyzed to identify patterns and themes. The results identify the existing barriers within the construction industry impeding the adoption of cross-laminated timber (CLT). Additionally, the study discusses strategies necessary to facilitate the widespread adoption of CLT. These findings will inform future research aimed at addressing the obstacles to constructing mid-rise buildings using CLT in the UAE.

Suggested Citation

  • Sabika Nasrim Pilathottathil & Abdul Rauf, 2024. "Barriers to the Use of Cross-Laminated Timber for Mid-Rise Residential Buildings in the UAE," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-26, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:16:p:6837-:d:1453187
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Zhongjia Chen & Hongmei Gu & Richard D. Bergman & Shaobo Liang, 2020. "Comparative Life-Cycle Assessment of a High-Rise Mass Timber Building with an Equivalent Reinforced Concrete Alternative Using the Athena Impact Estimator for Buildings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-15, June.
    2. Aljumah, Ahmad Ibrahim & Nuseir, Mohammed T. & Alam, Md. Mahmudul, 2021. "Traditional Marketing Analytics, Big Data Analytics, Big Data System Quality and the Success of New Product Development," OSF Preprints 9auec, Center for Open Science.
    3. Ahmad Ibrahim Aljumah & Mohammed T. Nuseir & Md. Mahmudul Alam, 2021. "Traditional marketing analytics, big data analytics and big data system quality and the success of new product development," Post-Print hal-03538161, HAL.
    4. Victor De Araujo & André Christoforo, 2023. "The Global Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) Industry: A Systematic Review and a Sectoral Survey of Its Main Developers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-27, May.
    5. Shadeedha Mohamed Saradara & Malik Mansoor Ali Khalfan & Abdul Rauf & Rubina Qureshi, 2023. "On The Path towards Sustainable Construction—The Case of the United Arab Emirates: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-26, October.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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