Researchers at the University of Auburn are developing prefabricated mass timber housing for the US Air Force.
Auburn University researchers are developing prefabricated mass timber housing for the US Air Force, seeking to reduce the time and labor required to establish temporary accommodations at deployed locations.
The project is examining barracks-style structures that can be transported, assembled quickly, and used in cold-weather environments.
Battelle, a nonprofit research organization, is working with the US Air Force to build prototypes.
Current deployable housing commonly relies on light wood framing similar to that used in residential construction.
According to Auburn researchers, erecting a single structure can require four or five workers to work 8 to 10 hours per day over four or five days, totaling 160 to 200 labor hours.
The proposed approach would transfer more of that work to off-site manufacturing.
Prefabricated components could then be delivered to the deployment area and connected with less labor, allowing military personnel to occupy the buildings sooner.
Strength and Transportability
Mass timber combines layers of engineered wood into large structural panels that can offer better strength and insulation than conventional light-frame construction.
However, standard cross-laminated timber is often thicker and stronger than temporary military housing requires, adding weight that could make the structures more difficult and expensive to transport.
The Auburn team is therefore examining lighter designs that use less material while remaining durable enough for demanding deployments.
Panels must also protect the insulation inside the structure, an important requirement for housing used in cold climates.
Tests at Auburn’s Advanced Structural Engineering Laboratory will measure their strength, stiffness, and response to expected loads.
Researchers are also considering how the buildings can be dismantled once a deployment ends.
Components and connections are being designed for repeated assembly, transport, and reuse, allowing the US Air Force to relocate the housing as operational requirements change.
According to Auburn University, the main challenge is balancing structural and thermal performance with weight, assembly speed, transportability, and long-term cost.
