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Outputs (75)

Establishing A Timber-Focused Competency Framework To Up- And Re-Skill Built Environment Professionals To Meet Sustainability Goals Sustainability Goals (2023)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Hitt, S. J., Hairstans, R., & Connell-Skinner, K. (2023). Establishing A Timber-Focused Competency Framework To Up- And Re-Skill Built Environment Professionals To Meet Sustainability Goals Sustainability Goals. In 51st Annual Conference of the European

Engineers equipped with skills for a sustainable built environment have never been more critical, as government and industry sustainability goals such as the 2050 net zero target have significant implications for the construction sector. Concurrently... Read More about Establishing A Timber-Focused Competency Framework To Up- And Re-Skill Built Environment Professionals To Meet Sustainability Goals Sustainability Goals.

Transforming Timber (2023)
Digital Artefact
Hairstans, R., Plowas, W., Livingstone, A., Connell-Skinner, K., Cramer, M., Ridley-Ellis, D., & Seminara, P. Transforming Timber. [Website content]

The construction materials used since the industrial revolution now dominate the sector. This is one of the leading causes of our current climate crisis. We need alternative solutions. Transforming Timber is collaborative knowledge hub promoting... Read More about Transforming Timber.

Timber in Construction: Skills Action Plan (2023)
Report
Duncheva, M., Vokes, C., Connell-Skinner, K., & Hairstans, R. (2023). Timber in Construction: Skills Action Plan. Hereford: New Model Institute for Technology & Engineering (NMITE)

The UK needs to increase the use of timber in construction to achieve its Net Zero targets. But strengthening timber supply chains and boosting use of homegrown timber needs a workforce able to make best use of this renewable resource. The Timber... Read More about Timber in Construction: Skills Action Plan.

Developing Strategic Partnerships through a Sustainability Enrichment Week (2022)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Hitt, S. J., Hairstans, R., Leitch, K., & Connell-Skinner, K. (2022). Developing Strategic Partnerships through a Sustainability Enrichment Week. In H. Järvinen, S. Silvestre, A. Llorens, & B. Nagy (Eds.), SEFI 2022: 50th Annual Conference of The Europea

This paper describes the development of a mini-module focused on sustainability and timber engineering as a component of a strategic partnership designed to broaden Transnational Education, increase staff/student mobility, and further develop industr... Read More about Developing Strategic Partnerships through a Sustainability Enrichment Week.

Manufacturing A Biogenic Built Environment (2022)
Book Chapter
Hairstans, R. Manufacturing A Biogenic Built Environment. In Timber Industry Yearbook 2022 (77-81). Buckinghamshire: BM TRADA

Robert Hairstans discusses the Biogenic Built Environment Framework: collaborative projects where research, innovation, commercialisation and education work in concert.

Offsite Ready Booklets (2020)
Report
Duncheva, M., Calcagno, C., Henquel, V., Leitch, K., Stinson, J., Plant O'Toole, E., Bros-Williamson, J., Livingstone, A., De Saint-Sernin, A., Hairstans, R., Hillier, J., Bentley, A., Barran, R., Avins, L., Setiati, D., Richards, L., & Ferriz-Papi, J. A.

Refocusing modern methods of construction on the climate emergency: a 'five capitals' model for action (2020)
Journal Article
Campbell, A., Hairstans, R., & Jones, G. (2020). Refocusing modern methods of construction on the climate emergency: a 'five capitals' model for action. The structural engineer : journal of the Institution of Structural Engineers, 98(9), 22-28

Adrian Campbell, Robert Hairstans and Giulia Jones explain how natural, human, social, manufactured and economic capital can all benefit from a sustainability-focused approach to off -site manufacturing.

Increasing offsite housing construction in Scotland: An evidence base to support new policy and systems (2020)
Report
Mora, L., Deakin, M., Reid, A., Hairstans, R., Duncheva, M., Calcagno, C., Smith, M., Smith, P., & Lang, V. (2020). Increasing offsite housing construction in Scotland: An evidence base to support new policy and systems. Construction Scotland Innovation C

The purpose of this project is to provide evidence of the potential contribution offsite construction offers to address the challenges faced by the affordable housing sector in Scotland. Funding for the project is drawn from the Construction Scotland... Read More about Increasing offsite housing construction in Scotland: An evidence base to support new policy and systems.

The Quality Assurance of Tulipwood Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) for "Multi-Ply" (2019)
Journal Article
Hairstans, R., Plowas, W., Calcagno, C., & Milne, M. (2019). The Quality Assurance of Tulipwood Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) for "Multi-Ply". Wood Design Focus, 29(2), 20-26

This paper presents the findings from the supply chain integration, pilot manufacture and quality assurance assessment of CLT made out of hardwood species, Tulipwood. The research was carried out as part of the American Hardwood Export Council indust... Read More about The Quality Assurance of Tulipwood Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) for "Multi-Ply".

Core off-site manufacture industry drivers. (2019)
Book Chapter
Hairstans, R., & Duncheva, T. (2019). Core off-site manufacture industry drivers. In J. S. Goulding, & F. P. Rahimian (Eds.), Offsite Production and Manufacturing for Innovative Construction: People, Process and Technology. Taylor & Francis

The manufacture and pre-assembly of components, elements or modules offsite before installation into their final location are evident throughout construction history. Medieval carpenters’ pre-manufacturing the frames of buildings in their yards to en... Read More about Core off-site manufacture industry drivers..

Decision Support Tool for Enhancing the Economic Impact of Construction using Offsite Systems (2019)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Duncheva, T., & Hairstans, R. (2019). Decision Support Tool for Enhancing the Economic Impact of Construction using Offsite Systems. In Proceedings of the 2019 Modular and Offsite Construction (MOC) Summit (116-123). https://doi.org/10.29173/mocs84

The construction industry is facing productivity stagnation across the globe, and several hypotheses to explain this phenomenon exist, most often associated with low use of digitisation, skills shortages and unpredictable market trends. Yet the econo... Read More about Decision Support Tool for Enhancing the Economic Impact of Construction using Offsite Systems.

Bim-enabled health & safety analysis of cross laminated timber onsite assembly process. (2018)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Duncheva, T., BuHamdan, S., Hairstans, R., & Al-Hussein, M. (2018). Bim-enabled health & safety analysis of cross laminated timber onsite assembly process. In A. G. BRUZZONE, F. DE FELICE, C. FRYDMAN, F. LONGO, M. MASSEI, & A. SOLIS (Eds.), MAS 2018

There is a global need for sustainable urban housing and offsite timber systems such as Cross Laminated Timber construction can be part of the solution to this need. However, the health and safety (H&S) impacts of CLT installation technologies have n... Read More about Bim-enabled health & safety analysis of cross laminated timber onsite assembly process..

Automatic code compliance with multi-dimensional data fitting in a BIM context (2018)
Journal Article
Patlakas, P., Livingstone, A., Hairstans, R., & Neighbour, G. (2018). Automatic code compliance with multi-dimensional data fitting in a BIM context. Advanced engineering informatics, 38, 216-231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aei.2018.07.002

BIM-based tools can contribute to addressing some of the challenges faced by structural engineering practitioners. A BIM-based framework for the development of components that deliver Automatic Code Compliance (ACC) is presented. The structural desig... Read More about Automatic code compliance with multi-dimensional data fitting in a BIM context.

Sustainable Communities Premanufactured from Wood (2018)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Duncheva, M., Calcagno, C., & Hairstans, R. (2018, June). Sustainable Communities Premanufactured from Wood. Poster presented at Timber 2018

The UK produces high quantities of softwood timber through forestry plantations concentrated in Scotland, however this resource is currently under-used and its full potential for application in construction is still to be realized. However, the focus... Read More about Sustainable Communities Premanufactured from Wood.

The merits of varying forms of mass timber products for offsite and modular construction (2018)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Hairstans, R., Smith, R., & Wilson, P. (2018). The merits of varying forms of mass timber products for offsite and modular construction.

Mass timber is a family of Solid Laminate Timber Systems (SLTS) formed from smaller sections of timber connected by glue, mechanical fixings, moisture movement or a combination of methods. These products, which include Structural Composite Lumber, G... Read More about The merits of varying forms of mass timber products for offsite and modular construction.

Mass Customisable Roofing Solutions for the New Build and Retrofit Markets in the UK (2018)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Plowas, W., Hairstans, R., & Felingham, J. (2018). Mass Customisable Roofing Solutions for the New Build and Retrofit Markets in the UK. In MOC Summit Proceedings

Major house builders and contractors in the UK are seeking alternative solutions to form the structural frame of pitched roofs for various reasons; speed, health and safety, quality ease of use. They are exploring the use of offsite systems, which ar... Read More about Mass Customisable Roofing Solutions for the New Build and Retrofit Markets in the UK.

Mass Timber - an introduction to solid laminate timber systems (2018)
Book
Hairstans, R. (2018). Mass Timber - an introduction to solid laminate timber systems. Arcamedia Ltd

The past two decades have witnessed an extraordinary upsurge in the use of mass timber products and systems in construction - a global phenomenon driven by greater emphasis on the sustainable use of renewable resources and by significant technologica... Read More about Mass Timber - an introduction to solid laminate timber systems.

Built Environmnet Episteology: Knowledge exchange through university-industry communities of practice (2017)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Hairstans, R., & Smith, R. (2017). Built Environmnet Episteology: Knowledge exchange through university-industry communities of practice. In R. E. Smith, K. D. Moore, & W. Zhao (Eds.), Architecture of Complexitiy - Design, Systems, Society and Environment

This paper explores the nature of knowledge through a history of knowledge production in society. It emphasizes the modes of knowledge including explicit and tacit and argues for knowledge management and knowledge transfer as strategies to both codif... Read More about Built Environmnet Episteology: Knowledge exchange through university-industry communities of practice.

Offsite HUB (Scotland): establishing a collaborative regional framework for knowledge exchange in the UK (2017)
Journal Article
Hairstans, R., & Smith, R. E. (2017). Offsite HUB (Scotland): establishing a collaborative regional framework for knowledge exchange in the UK. Architectural Engineering and Design Management, 13, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/17452007.2017.1314858

The UK is set to become Europe’s largest construction market by 2030. However, UK construction productivity performance is regarded as weak, with low skills levels considered to be a key contributory factor. Consequently, off-site construction has be... Read More about Offsite HUB (Scotland): establishing a collaborative regional framework for knowledge exchange in the UK.

A Scottish perspective on timber offsite construction (2017)
Book Chapter
Hairstans, R., & Sanna, F. (2017). A Scottish perspective on timber offsite construction. In Offsite Architecture: Constructing the future. Routledge

This Chapter exemplifies the recent advancements in Scottish offsite construction through the research work carried out at the Centre for Offsite Construction + Innovative Structures (COCIS) at Edinburgh Napier University, Institute for Sustainable C... Read More about A Scottish perspective on timber offsite construction.

Understanding the compatibility of UK resource for dowel laminated timber construction (2016)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Plowas, W., Hairstans, R., Bell, T., & Bros Williamson, J. (2016). Understanding the compatibility of UK resource for dowel laminated timber construction.

Dowel Laminated Timber (DLT also know as Brettstapel) is a technique of constructing large-scale solid timber panels for use as structural or non-structural elements. The technique utilizes smaller sawn timber sections mechanically fixed together wit... Read More about Understanding the compatibility of UK resource for dowel laminated timber construction.

Structural Timber Systems (2016)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Hairstans, R. (2016, September). Structural Timber Systems. Presented at CPD Seminar Structural Timber Engineering

Timber products and systems including solid laminate timber systems, dowel-lam, nail-lam, and cross-laminated timber.

Multi-dimensional data fitting for the structural design of a simple timber connection (2016)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Livingstone, A., Patlakas, P., Milne, M., Smith, S., & Hairstans, R. (2016, August). Multi-dimensional data fitting for the structural design of a simple timber connection. Presented at World Conference on Timber Engineering, Vienna, Austria

This paper presents a novel method of automating the structural design of timber connections and ensuring code compliance within a Building Information Modelling (BIM) context. The mathematical method of Multi Dimensional Data Fitting (MDDF) is prese... Read More about Multi-dimensional data fitting for the structural design of a simple timber connection.

Understanding the compatibility of UK resource for dowel laminated timber construction (2016)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Plowas, W., Bell, T., Hairstans, R., & Williamson, J. B. (2016, June). Understanding the compatibility of UK resource for dowel laminated timber construction. Paper presented at Integrated Design Conference

Dowel Laminated Timber (DLT also know as Brettstapel) is a technique of constructing large-scale solid timber panels for use as structural or non-structural elements. The technique utilizes smaller sawn timber sections mechanically fixed together wit... Read More about Understanding the compatibility of UK resource for dowel laminated timber construction.

Taking timber beyond traditional boundaries. (2016)
Book Chapter
Hairstans, R. (2016). Taking timber beyond traditional boundaries. In TRADA timber industry yearbook 2016. High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire: Exova BM TRADA

Timber is a natural, hygroscopic, anisotropic material that must be properly understood if it is to be used efficiently within the built environment. With good silvicultural practices timber can be sourced responsibly and converted (with relatively l... Read More about Taking timber beyond traditional boundaries..

Building offsite. (2016)
Journal Article
Hairstans, R. (2016). Building offsite. Journal of the National Institute of Building Sciences, 4,

This article explores the international adoption of offsite construction and why there is an overall impetus for growth across the global sector. The 4 main overarching categories of Offsite are considered explaining the key terminologies. Based on... Read More about Building offsite..

Building offsite: an introduction. (2015)
Report
Hairstans, R. (2015). Building offsite: an introduction. Edinburgh, Scotland: UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES)

An introduction to Building Offsite. Funded by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES). The content was produced by an industry and academic collaboration of CCG (OSM), Stewart Milne Timber Systems, Edinburgh Napier University and Heriot... Read More about Building offsite: an introduction..

Increasing need for Offsite Construction and Manufactured Infrastructure in the UK Economy (2015)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Smith, R. S., Wood, J. B., & Hairstans, R. (2015). Increasing need for Offsite Construction and Manufactured Infrastructure in the UK Economy. In CIAT Symposium Proceedings

Due to increasing demand for housing and other building infrastructure the methodology of offsite construction is becoming more attractive to developers, local authorities and government organisations. This paper outlines some of the key drivers such... Read More about Increasing need for Offsite Construction and Manufactured Infrastructure in the UK Economy.

A BIM platform for offsite timber construction. (2015)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Patlakas, P., Livingstone, A., & Hairstans, R. (2015). A BIM platform for offsite timber construction.

This paper discusses the potential of a BIM platform for offsite timber construction within the context of the UK construction industry. It examines the benefits, limitations, and challenges that BIM brings for offsite timber. Proof-of-concept projec... Read More about A BIM platform for offsite timber construction..

Research into mainstreaming offsite modern methods of construction (MMC) in house building. (2015)
Report
McCallie, M., MacLeod, A., Good, S., Murray, C., & Hairstans, R. (2015). Research into mainstreaming offsite modern methods of construction (MMC) in house building

In Scotland’s Sustainable Housing Strategy we set out Scottish Ministers’ vision for warm, high quality, affordable, low carbon homes and a housing sector that helps to establish a successful low carbon economy across Scotland. One of the strateg... Read More about Research into mainstreaming offsite modern methods of construction (MMC) in house building..

Viability of cross-laminated timber from UK resources (2015)
Journal Article
Crawford, D., Smith, S., Hairstans, R., & Papastavrou, P. (2015). Viability of cross-laminated timber from UK resources. Proceedings of the ICE - Construction Materials, 168(3), 110-120. https://doi.org/10.1680/coma.14.00064

Cross-laminated timber is an innovative engineered timber product that can be used for almost all superstructure elements. It is typically produced from kiln-dried, fast-growing softwood timber. Currently there is no commercial production in the UK a... Read More about Viability of cross-laminated timber from UK resources.

The Case for Mass Customisation of Structural Timber Design (2015)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Livingstone, A., Menendez, J., Leitch, K., & Hairstans, R. (2015). The Case for Mass Customisation of Structural Timber Design. . https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784479117.243

This paper reports on the potential of timber for structural applications in the international construction market, particularly in the light of its environmental credentials and the advances being made in engineered timber products. The UK market... Read More about The Case for Mass Customisation of Structural Timber Design.

The Potential, Requirements, and Limitations of BIM for Offsite Timber Construction (2015)
Journal Article
Patlakas, P., Menendez, J., & Hairstans, R. (2015). The Potential, Requirements, and Limitations of BIM for Offsite Timber Construction. International journal of 3-D information modeling, 4(1), 54-70. https://doi.org/10.4018/ij3dim.2015010104

Offsite Timber Construction has the potential to deliver important benefits for the housing sector, but there are obstacles that prevent a more widespread adoption. The advent of Building Information Modelling (BIM) has the potential to address many... Read More about The Potential, Requirements, and Limitations of BIM for Offsite Timber Construction.

Sole plate fixing details for modern methods of timber construction. (2014)
Book Chapter
Menendez, J., Leitch, K., & Hairstans, R. (2014). Sole plate fixing details for modern methods of timber construction. In S. Aicher, H. W. Reinhardt, & H. Garrecht (Eds.), Materials and joints in timber structures: recent development of technologies (109-

In order to resist lateral loads, modern methods of timber construction are reliant on the in-plane shear strength of the walls orientated parallel to the applied action. In closed panel systems, the shear stresses are transferred to the foundations... Read More about Sole plate fixing details for modern methods of timber construction..

Structural behaviour of timber frame closed panels for specification in the United Kingdom. (2014)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Menendez, J., Leitch, K., & Hairstans, R. (2014). Structural behaviour of timber frame closed panels for specification in the United Kingdom.

A series of closed timber frame wall panels were tested for racking capacity in accordance with the standard BS EN594:2011 [1]. The test program was designed to investigate the wall diaphragm performance of conventional and evolved (dual-frame) pa... Read More about Structural behaviour of timber frame closed panels for specification in the United Kingdom..

A strategic review of the offsite construction sector in Scotland. (2013)
Report
Smith, S., Hairstans, R., Macdonald, R., & Sanna, F. (2013). A strategic review of the offsite construction sector in Scotland. Edinburgh, Scotland: Scottish Government

The offsite construction sector covers a wide spectrum of companies and supply chains across Scotland. This study primarily involved a review of the offsite construction sector for homes and buildings. The following key points have been extracted for... Read More about A strategic review of the offsite construction sector in Scotland..

Structural design with Accoya wood (2013)
Journal Article
Crawford, D., Bongers, F., Alexander, J., Marcroft, J., Bongers, F., Alexander, J., …Hairstans, R. (2013). Structural design with Accoya wood. International Wood Products Journal, 4(3), 172-176. https://doi.org/10.1179/2042645313y.0000000041

The benefits from acetylation of wood to enhance resistance against fungal decay and dimensional stability have been known for many years. Since 2007 Accsys Technologies has been commercially producing Accoya wood that is based on acetylation of Radi... Read More about Structural design with Accoya wood.

Feasibility of cross-laminated timber production from UK Sitka Spruce. (2013)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Crawford, D., Hairstans, R., & Smith, R. E. (2013). Feasibility of cross-laminated timber production from UK Sitka Spruce.

Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) is an innovative wood product, which can be used for almost all superstructure elements. It is generally produced from kiln dried, fast growing timber. Currently the majority of CLT used within the UK construction industr... Read More about Feasibility of cross-laminated timber production from UK Sitka Spruce..

Assessment of the structural performance of Accoya wood for GluLam fabrication. (2012)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Crawford, D., Hairstans, R., Alexander, J., & Bongers, F. (2012). Assessment of the structural performance of Accoya wood for GluLam fabrication.

Accoya® GluLam beams were specified for use as an external foundation support detail for an innovative low carbon affordable home in the Scottish Highlands. This detail was identified in collaboration with Neil Sutherland Architects (NSA) LLP where t... Read More about Assessment of the structural performance of Accoya wood for GluLam fabrication..

Accoya structural design guide to Eurocode 5. (2012)
Report
Lawrence, A., Marcroft, J., Crawford, D., & Hairstans, R. (2012). Accoya structural design guide to Eurocode 5. Edinburgh, Scotland: Accsys Technologies

Until now, using wood in damp external conditions for structural applications has been a real challenge, chiefly because of the risk of fungal attack. The most effective preservatives are by definition toxic and so have environmental issues both in u... Read More about Accoya structural design guide to Eurocode 5..

Structural optimisation of timber off-site modern methods of construction. (2012)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Sanna, F., Hairstans, R., Leitch, K., Crawford, D., Menendez, J., & Turnbull, D. (2012). Structural optimisation of timber off-site modern methods of construction.

Efficient and sustainable building systems are required in order to achieve the UK government’s target of building three million new homes by 2016. Given the current lack of activity in the housing construction market to achieve this target, incr... Read More about Structural optimisation of timber off-site modern methods of construction..

A structural engineering platform for timber modern methods of construction. (2012)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Menendez, J., Hairstans, R., Leitch, K., & Turnbull, D. (2012). A structural engineering platform for timber modern methods of construction.

The UK has a housing deficit, requiring 3 million new homes by 2020 that will have to conform to national environmental policy and the corresponding regional building regulation requirements. The economic down turn has exacerbated this problem and as... Read More about A structural engineering platform for timber modern methods of construction..

Structural performance of external timber cladding. (2010)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Crawford, D., Hairstans, R., & Davies, I. (2010). Structural performance of external timber cladding. In 11th World Conference on Timber Engineering 2010 (WCTE 2010) (2354-2358)

Although timber cladding has been used for centuries, the current design guidance for timber cladding has received very little research attention with regards to structural performance. Due to the growing demand in several countries for medium rise t... Read More about Structural performance of external timber cladding..

The development of a hybrid racking panel - appraisal of methods for strength and stiffness calculation. (2010)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Leitch, K., & Hairstans, R. (2010). The development of a hybrid racking panel - appraisal of methods for strength and stiffness calculation. In 11th World Conference on Timber Engineering 2010

Throughout the U.K, Timber Platform Frame is increasingly being utilized in the high volume, low cost housing market. Here, the client’s desire for fully detached housing often leads to narrow properties with openings concentrated in the shorter wall... Read More about The development of a hybrid racking panel - appraisal of methods for strength and stiffness calculation..

Off-site and modern methods of timber construction a sustainable approach. (2010)
Book
Hairstans, R. (2010). Off-site and modern methods of timber construction a sustainable approach. TRADA Technology Ltd

Many prefer the versatility of timber frame for panelised, volumetric and hybrid 'built offsite' systems. Other suitable formats include timber post and beam, 'massive' construction using cross-laminated timber, and structural insulated panel systems... Read More about Off-site and modern methods of timber construction a sustainable approach..

Performance characteristics of structural insulated panels (SIPs). (2008)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Kermani, A., & Hairstans, R. (2008, June). Performance characteristics of structural insulated panels (SIPs). Paper presented at 5th International Conference on Innovation in Architecture, Engineering and Construction

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) are an alternative construction material for residential and light commercial buildings. They were developed in the USA and have been evolving quietly for 50 years and show marked advantages in strength, thermal per... Read More about Performance characteristics of structural insulated panels (SIPs)..

Sustainable timber frame diaphragm development. (2007)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Hairstans, R., Dodyk, R., & Kermani, A. (2007). Sustainable timber frame diaphragm development.

The EU Directive on Energy Performance of Buildings has the aim of promoting energy performance within the EU and will have a direct impact on current timber frame construction in the UK. As a result of the directive, changes to Part L of the Buil... Read More about Sustainable timber frame diaphragm development..

Briefing: Structural insulated panels in modern construction (2007)
Journal Article
Hairstans, R., & Kermani, A. (2007). Briefing: Structural insulated panels in modern construction. Proceedings of the ICE - Construction Materials, 160(3), 91-94. https://doi.org/10.1680/coma.2007.160.3.91

Structural insulated panels (SIPs) are typically formed from a thick layer of polystyrene foam sandwiched between two layers of oriented strand board. They have improved insulation qualities due to reduced cold bridging effects and satisfy all ot... Read More about Briefing: Structural insulated panels in modern construction.

Optimisation of timber platform frame construction (2007)
Thesis
Hairstans, R. Optimisation of timber platform frame construction. (Thesis). Edinburgh Napier University. Retrieved from http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/id/eprint/6041

Timber platform frame has evolved as an efficient method of construction for domestic dwellings and is experiencing continual growth in the UK due to it lending itself to off-site modem methods of construction (MMC), being environmentally efficient a... Read More about Optimisation of timber platform frame construction.

Nailed flitch beams. (2006)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Hairstans, R., Kermani, A., & Lawson, R. (2006). Nailed flitch beams.

Knowledge transfer in timber engineering (2006)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Hairstans, R., Dodyk, R., Kermani, A., Lawson, R., & Mackenzie, R. (2006). Knowledge transfer in timber engineering. In 9th World Conference on Timber Engineering 2006 (WCTE 2006) (2474-2477)

Napier University and Oregon Timber Frame Ltd have recently completed an award winning two year project in timber engineering. The project was conducted under the umbrella of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) which is a UK Government funded res... Read More about Knowledge transfer in timber engineering.

Stability of domestic dwellings. (2006)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Hairstans, R., Kermani, A., & Lawson, R. (2006). Stability of domestic dwellings.

A comparative study of typical UK timber frame domestic dwellings is carried out in relation to system stability. The concepts of stiffness proportionality, redundancy, continuity and robustness are explored in relation to current UK timber frame d... Read More about Stability of domestic dwellings..

Racking Performance of Structural Insulated Panels (2006)
Journal Article
Kermani, A., & Hairstans, R. (2006). Racking Performance of Structural Insulated Panels. Journal of Structural Engineering, 132(11), 1806-1812. https://doi.org/10.1061/%28asce%290733-9445%282006%29132%3A11%281806%29

Formed from a thick layer of polystyrene foam sandwiched between two layers of oriented strand board, structural insulated panels (SIPs) are a viable alternative to traditional wood stud shear walls. Developed in North America, SIPs satisfy building... Read More about Racking Performance of Structural Insulated Panels.

Shot fired dowel flitch beams. (2005)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Hairstans, R., Kermani, A., & Lawson, R. (2005). Shot fired dowel flitch beams.

Flitch beams are a form of sandwich construction using steel and timber elements. They are used in the construction of domestic dwellings when relatively high loads and long spans predominate but available depth of section is restricted in some way.... Read More about Shot fired dowel flitch beams..

Crane erection of timber-trussed rafter roofs (2004)
Journal Article
Hairstans, R., Kermani, A., & Lawson, R. (2004). Crane erection of timber-trussed rafter roofs. Proceedings of the ICE - Engineering Sustainability, 157(2), 89-98. https://doi.org/10.1680/ensu.157.2.89.41080

Traditional methods of timber frame construction are labour-intensive and time-consuming. This paper details a study of the crane-erect method of construction which utilises on-site preparatory work and off-site fabrication. The paper also examin... Read More about Crane erection of timber-trussed rafter roofs.