Wood Solutions Conference

Wood Solutions Conference – Calgary

Announcing the Canadian Wood Council’s annual wood design conference and trade show in Calgary, hosted by WoodWorks Alberta on January 16, 2024.

This specialized design and construction conference is dedicated to showcasing innovative advancements and applications for wood products and building systems in design and construction. Leading-edge experts from near and far will inform and inspire you at the 2024 Calgary Wood Solutions Conference.

Join us on Tuesday, January 16th, 2024 from 8:00 am -5:00 pm MST at the Best Western Premier Calgary Plaza Hotel & Conference Centre in Calgary, AB for an interesting and informative day of educational seminars.

  • Learn about the latest in wood innovations from distinguished presenters
  • Make industry connections and access the resources you need to achieve your wood design goals
  • Earn up to 6 professional continuing education credits by attending the full day of sessions
  • Lunch, trade show, and networking reception included

Early bird registration until December 15: $99 +GST

Regular ticket price until January 12: $149 +GST
Click here to Register!

A limited number of student and educator discounts are available. Email rkoska@wood-works.ca for details.

Don’t miss this valuable day of wood design education!

Click here for the conference agenda!

Interested in Exhibiting?  There are still a few spots left – booths are 8×10 and can be selected and purchased online through eventbrite:
Click here to book your booth

 

Program Highlights:


Sustainable Affordable Housing Utilizing Mass Timber – A Case Study on the YWCA Supportive Housing Project

Matt Bolen, BAS, M.Arch, OAA, CPHD, Principal, Architect, EDGE ARCHITECTS


An overview of the Ottawa Mass Timber Demonstration Fire Test Program

The presentation will provide an overview of the Mass Timber Demonstration Fire Test Program which were conducted during the summer and fall of 2022.  Past research on the fire performance of mass timber construction will be reviewed briefly to provide the background necessary to understand how the latest tests support the design of taller and larger mass timber buildings.  Each of the five tests performed will be reviewed along with what it means for future mass timber building design and Canadian Building and Fire Codes.

Marc Alam, Ph.D., E.I.T. – Senior Manager, Codes and Standards – Fire and Acoustics, Canadian Wood Council

Marc Alam is a member of the Canadian Wood Council. As Senior Manager, Codes and Standards in fire and acoustics, Marc assists through participation in CWC’s building code and standards fire and acoustic related initiatives and the development of CWC’s fire design tools, as well as code-related fire and acoustic research projects.


Mid-Rise Engineering Considerations for Engineered Wood Products

While most designers are familiar with engineered wood products such as I-joists and structural composite lumber, it is important to understand the structural requirements associated with each in order to achieve proper performance—especially in mid-rise construction.

Jeff Olson – Technical Services Manager, Boise Cascade

Currently the Technical Services Manager for Boise Cascade, Engineered Wood Products division. Over 30 years of experience in the design and testing of engineered wood products. Licensed as a Professional Engineer in several western Canadian provinces and U.S. states.


Metal-Plate-Connected Wood Trusses
Metal-Plate-Connected Wood Trusses have been used for over 50 years in Alberta. The presentation will focus on applications, installation, quality control, and roles and responsibilities in specifying trusses.

Dave Pasolli, Executive Officer, Western Wood Truss Association of Alberta
Dave serves as the Executive Officer of the Western Wood Truss Association of Alberta and has been in the manufactured wood industry for the last 37 years.


Aspen/Poplar – A New Resource for Engineered Wood Products
Aspen and poplar are abundant forest resources in Alberta. Aspen and poplar lumber can be a potential source of lamination stock for a number of engineered wood products, including glulam, cross-laminated timber (CLT) and wood I-joist. This presentation will provide an insight into the mechanical properties of aspen/poplar lumber sourced from Alberta sawmills, and the expected mechanical properties of engineered wood products manufactured using aspen and poplar lumber.

Ying Hei Chui, Professor & Director of Nasseri School of Building Science and Engineering, University of Alberta
Dr. Ying Hei Chui is one of Canada’s leading experts in the field of timber engineering, specializing in engineered wood products, timber connections and timber construction. Dr. Chui is a member of a Standing Committee on Structural Design of the NBCC. He also chairs ASTM Technical Committee D07 ‘Wood’ and ISO Technical Committee 165 ‘Timber structures’.


GCWood and IFIT funding opportunities

Jean-François Levasseur, Director, National Capital Region
Trade, Economics and Industry Branch, Government of Canada


Elevate, Innovate, Acoustically Integrate: An Architects Guide to Dry Topping in Wood Structures
Abstract will be posted soon.

Andre Rioux – Co-Owner- Business Development, AcoustiTECH

Andre has been working alongside building professionals for 20 years and is recognized for his passion for the field of acoustics and his expert knowledge.
Promoting wood construction across Canada and the US has been a great focus of his, he has participated in various organizations, presented at conferences and been part of innovative projects.

Andre’s experience with wood construction combined with over 20 years of research and development from AcoustiTECH has resulted in a group that is able to bring invaluable expertise and know-how to the industry.


BIM Modeling and Its Role in Efficient Manufacturing

Chelsea Olson and Bernie Krey will discuss the role of BIM modeling as a collaboration tool through all stages of a mass timber project, and how it can affect the efficiency of a project. This presentation will review ways in which BIM modeling can streamline a project from the perspective of different stakeholders, including the base building design team, construction team, fabricators and installers. Opportunities for a more efficient project workflow will be discussed as well as some common inefficiencies, scope gaps and project delays and how these can be overcome with modeling.

Chelsea Olson | Structural Engineer, Mass Timber Specialist, ISL Engineering and Land Services Ltd

As a structural engineer and mass timber specialist within ISL’s buildings group, Chelsea’s role includes both mass timber specialty engineering and base building design as Engineer-of-Record. Working closely with ISL’s in-house modeling team, Chelsea gets to see the direct benefits of a coordinated project workflow through the use of BIM modeling.

Bernie Krey, Senior Mass Timber Technologist, ISL Engineering and Land Services Ltd

Bernie brings over 20 years of experience in mass timber fabrication to ISL’s buildings team. From BIM modeling to design for manufacturing and assembly, he has experienced firsthand the evolution of the mass timber industry over the past two decades. Bernie sees the benefits of improved coordination through BIM modeling, always striving to incorporate new processes for efficient project delivery.