Nail laminated timber structural testing for affordable housing that resists extreme events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and associated cascading hazards

The University of Maryland, College Park received a $400,034 Project Grant award on August 6, 2025, under the Wood Utilization Assistance program (CFDA 10.674), administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service. The project, titled "Nail Laminated Timber Structural Testing for Affordable Housing That Resists Extreme Events Such as Hurricanes, Tornadoes, and Associated Cascading Hazards," will expand upon knowledge gained from constructing a pilot wood nail laminated timber building through December 31, 2028. The initiative focuses on advancing structural testing and validation of nail laminated timber (NLT) systems designed to provide durable, affordable housing solutions capable of withstanding extreme weather events and cascading hazards.

The project includes a sub-award to Clemson University's Division of Research, announced on November 19, 2025, for "Wood Innovation Developing Nail Laminated Mass Timber Panel Systems for Use in Affordable Housing Construction." Through this collaborative arrangement, the research efforts combine the universities' expertise to develop and validate mass timber panel systems that meet affordable housing construction needs while demonstrating enhanced structural resilience. These deliverables directly support the Wood Innovations program's strategic priorities in advancing technological development for mass timber construction and expanding the domestic forest products industry.

This project expands knowledge gained from constructing a pilot wood nail laminated timber building.