Assessing Post-Fire Structural Performance of Timber Buildings

Implementing Partner: Build Change

Project name: Assessing Post-Fire Structural Performance of Timber Buildings

This project investigated the fire response and post-fire structural behavior of cross-laminated timber floors and mass timber buildings. As sustainable alternatives to steel and concrete, timber structures offer environmental benefits but raise fire safety concerns, especially following incidents like the 2014 Lacrosse Building fire in Melbourne. The study’s findings provide valuable insights to enhance fire safety standards, inform building codes, and promote safer use of mass timber in high-rise construction.

The AAL of buildings
in Australia as per
the existing climate
scenario, the sector
with the highest
share in AAL (GIRI)
$ 0 bn
Bushfires each year
in Australia
0 +

Impact and Key Findings

1

The study examined how heat impacts timber strength and introduced a new fire-resistant adhesive to improve safety in mass timber constructions, addressing key vulnerabilities exposed during fire events.

2

Testing a 10-story timber building model demonstrated enhanced fire resistance with the new adhesive, showcasing its potential to significantly increase structural resilience in tall timber buildings under fire conditions.

3

These findings deepen understanding of cross-laminated timber (CLT) behavior during and after fires, informing safer design practices and aiding development of stronger fire safety standards for sustainable construction.

Resources

Aishwarya Pillai

Lead Specialist

Alpana heads institutional partnerships, governance, and resource mobilization at CDRI, advancing cross-sector collaborations that drive resilient infrastructure programming across Member Countries and organizations. With over 25 years of experience spanning international development, global health, and the non-profit sector, she brings deep expertise in fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and delivering strategic change. 

At CDRI, Alpana has been pivotal in forging strategic alliances with governments, international organizations, and philanthropies. She also plays a key role in fortifying institutional systems and board governance mechanisms as the Coalition transitions into an international organization. 

Before joining CDRI, Alpana held senior leadership roles at The George Institute for Global Health, Plan India, WaterAid India, and SOS Children’s Villages, leading institutional fundraising and cultivating strategic partnerships for social impact. 

She holds a Master’s in Finance & Control from Aligarh Muslim University and completed Executive Education at Harvard Business School (CSR India). Her work is driven by a commitment to building enduring, values-based partnerships that accelerate sustainable development outcomes. 

Alpana Saha

Director, Partnerships, Governance, and Resource Mobilisation 

Alpana heads institutional partnerships, governance, and resource mobilization at CDRI, advancing cross-sector collaborations that drive resilient infrastructure programming across Member Countries and organizations. With over 25 years of experience spanning international development, global health, and the non-profit sector, she brings deep expertise in fundraising strategy, donor engagement, and delivering strategic change. 

At CDRI, Alpana has been pivotal in forging strategic alliances with governments, international organizations, and philanthropies. She also plays a key role in fortifying institutional systems and board governance mechanisms as the Coalition transitions into an international organization. 

Before joining CDRI, Alpana held senior leadership roles at The George Institute for Global Health, Plan India, WaterAid India, and SOS Children’s Villages, leading institutional fundraising and cultivating strategic partnerships for social impact. 

She holds a Master’s in Finance & Control from Aligarh Muslim University and completed Executive Education at Harvard Business School (CSR India). Her work is driven by a commitment to building enduring, values-based partnerships that accelerate sustainable development outcomes.