05/19/2026
We're pleased to share the Balloon-Framed Rocking CLT Shear Wall System received an Award of Merit from the Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC)'s 2026 Structural Engineering Excellence (SEE) Awards in the category of Study/Research/Guidelines – congratulations to the team!
This research develops a balloon-framed rocking CLT shear wall system to replace concrete and steel seismic force-resisting systems in tall mass timber buildings. Current North American codes are limited to platform-framed CLT configurations that are damage-prone, have limited ductility, and require numerous small panels — making them impractical for taller structures in high-seismic zones. The proposed system uses vertically oriented continuous, full-width CLT panels with rocking and pivoting mechanisms connected with yielding shear fuses for energy dissipation.
Analytical models of a two-story assembly establish relationships between global structural behavior and component geometry and mechanical properties. Nonlinear numerical models of two-, six-, and twelve-story archetypes validate these predictions through monotonic pushover analyses, confirming system ductility and integrity. This work provides the analytical and experimental foundation for future dynamic analyses and large-scale testing.
https://tippingstructural.com/research/?researchid=1670
Research Team
Leo Panian, SE, Principal; Mike Korolyk, SE, Principal - Tipping
Fei Tong, PhD, PEng, Assistant Professor (Principal Investigator); Thomas Tannert, PhD, PEng, Professor, Wood Engineering, Canada Research Chair, Tall Wood and Hybrid Structures Engineering; Orhan Sahutoglu, PhD Candidate, Chenhui Qian, Postdoctoral Fellow - University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC)
Imagery: CSI America Inc (ceremony) and Tipping (award)