TY  - JOUR
T1  - Cross-Laminated Timber as a Sustainable Building Material: an Interdisciplinary Bibliometric Analysis
AU  - Akşar, Sadik
PY  - 2025
DA  - September
Y2  - 2025
DO  - 10.54287/gujsa.1768961
JF  - Gazi University Journal of Science Part A: Engineering and Innovation
JO  - GU J Sci, Part A
PB  - Gazi University
WT  - DergiPark
SN  - 2147-9542
SP  - 737
EP  - 755
VL  - 12
IS  - 3
LA  - en
AB  - Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) is an innovative structural material composed of timber layers bonded perpendicularly, offering high load-bearing capacity, durability, and environmental benefits. As a sustainable alternative to conventional construction materials, CLT has gained growing attention in architecture and engineering. Although previous studies have examined its structural performance, environmental impacts, and design applications, a comprehensive mapping of research trends across disciplines has remained limited. This study aims to fill this gap by conducting a bibliometric analysis of 1,937 English-language publications indexed in the Web of Science database between 2007 and June 2025, using the keywords “cross laminated timber” and “mass timber.” Publications were analyzed by year, country, discipline, and alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Keyword co-occurrences, citation networks, and thematic clusters were visualized with VOSviewer. The findings reveal four major research clusters—structural-mechanical behavior, connection details and seismic performance, environmental sustainability, and fire-hybrid systems—demonstrating the interdisciplinary evolution of CLT. By highlighting how these clusters contribute to engineering practices, architectural design, and sustainability strategies, the study provides a holistic framework that distinguishes it from earlier reviews and offers guidance for future research directions in timber-based construction.
KW  - Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT)
KW  - Sustainable Material
KW  - Bibliometric Analysis
KW  - Interdisciplinary Research
KW  - Structural Performance
CR  - Alencar, J. B. M., & de Melo Moura, J. D. (2019). Mechanical Behavior of Cross-Laminated Timber Panels Made of Low-Added-Value Timber. Forest Products Journal, 69(3), 177-184. https://doi.org/10.13073/FPJ-D-18-00037
CR  - Alia Syahirah, Y., Anwar, U., Sh, L., Ong, C., Asniza, M., & Paridah, M. (2025). The properties of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT): A review. International Journal of Adhesion and Adhesives, 138, 103924. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijadhadh.2024.103924
CR  - Aloisio, A., Pasca, D., Tomasi, R., & Fragiacomo, M. (2020). Dynamic identification and model updating of an eight-storey CLT building. Engineering Structures, 213, 110593. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2020.110593
CR  - Badini, L., Ott, S., Aondio, P., & Winter, S. (2022). Seismic strengthening of existing RC buildings with external cross-laminated timber (CLT) walls hosting an integrated energetic and architectural renovation. Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering, 20(11), 5963-6006. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-022-01407-x
CR  - Bechert, S., Aldinger, L., Wood, D., Knippers, J., & Menges, A. (2021). Urbach Tower: Integrative structural design of a lightweight structure made of self-shaped curved cross-laminated timber. Structures, 33, 3667-3681. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2021.06.073
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CR  - Huzita, T., Sasaki, T., Araki, S., & Kayo, C. (2022). Life Cycle Regional Economic Impacts of Bridge Repair Using Cross-Laminated Timber Floor Slabs: A Case Study in Akita Prefecture, Japan. Buildings, 12(2), 158. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12020158
CR  - Iizawa, N., Imamoto, K., Kiyohara, C., Nasu, H., & Onishi, S. (2023). Study on environment decomposition and strength of CLT when temporarily used on civil engineering.In: World Conference on Timber Engineering (WCTE 2023), (pp. 836-841). https://doi.org/10.52202/069179-0114
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CR  - Ilgın, H. E., Karjalainen, M., & Mikkola, P. (2023). Views of Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) Manufacturer Representatives around the World on CLT Practices and Its Future Outlook. Buildings, 13(12), 2912. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings13122912
CR  - Iwase, T., Sasaki, T., Araki, S., Huzita, T., & Kayo, C. (2020). Environmental and Economic Evaluation of Small-Scale Bridge Repair Using Cross-Laminated Timber Floor Slabs. Sustainability, 12(8), 3424. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12083424
CR  - Javoríková, M., & Hronský, M. (2024). Development of a Hybrid Wall-Framed System. In: Juniorstav 2024, Proceedings 26th International Scientific Conference Of Civil Engineering. https://doi.org/10.13164/juniorstav.2024.24146
CR  - Jayalath, A., Navaratnam, S., Ngo, T., Mendis, P., Hewson, N., & Aye, L. (2020). Life cycle performance of Cross Laminated Timber mid-rise residential buildings in Australia. Energy and Buildings, 223, 110091. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2020.110091
CR  - Klippel, M., & Schmid, J. (2017). Design of Cross-Laminated Timber in Fire. Structural Engineering International, 27(2), 224-230. https://doi.org/10.2749/101686617X14881932436096
CR  - Lan, K., Kelley, S. S., Nepal, P., & Yao, Y. (2020). Dynamic life cycle carbon and energy analysis for cross-laminated timber in the Southeastern United States. Environmental Research Letters, 15(12), 124036. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/abc5e6
CR  - Manrique, C., & Haglund, B. (2019). Learning from Innovative CLT Design in the United Kingdom. In: 2019 Reynolds Symposium: Education by Design. https://doi.org/10.21428/f7d9ca02.f38283ef
CR  - Marjanović, M., Jugović, V., & Nefovska-Danilović, M. (2020). Development of frequency curves for cross-laminated timber (CLT) floors using dynamic stiffness method. In: XI International Conference on Structural Dynamics, (pp. 502-509). https://doi.org/10.47964/1120.9038.18860
CR  - Nero, R., Christopher, P., & Ngo, T. (2022). Investigation of rolling shear properties of cross-laminated timber (CLT) and comparison of experimental approaches. Construction and Building Materials, 316, 125897. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.125897
CR  - Penfield, P., Germain, R., Smith, W. B., & Stehman, S. v. (2022). Assessıng the adoptıon of cross lamınated tımber by archıtects and structural engıneers wıthın the unıted states. Journal of Green Building, 17(1), 127-147. https://doi.org/10.3992/1943-4618.17.1.127
CR  - Pilathottathil, S. N., & Rauf, A. (2024). Barriers to the Use of Cross-Laminated Timber for Mid-Rise Residential Buildings in the UAE. Sustainability, 16(16), 6837. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16166837
CR  - Ren, H., Bahrami, A., Cehlin, M., & Wallhagen, M. (2024). A state-of-the-art review on connection systems, rolling shear performance, and sustainability assessment of cross-laminated timber. Engineering Structures, 317, 118552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2024.118552
CR  - Said, H., Rajagopalan, A., & Hall, D. M. (2024). Longitudinal analysis of interorganizational collaborative networks of cross-laminated timber (CLT) construction. Construction Innovation. https://doi.org/10.1108/CI-01-2023-0012
CR  - Salgado, R. A., & Guner, S. (2021). Characterization of the out-of-plane behavior of CLT panel connections. Engineering Structures, 229, 111596. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2020.111596
CR  - Sanchotene, C. Y. dos S., Fischer, A. C., Monteiro, T. C., Punhagui, K. R. G., & Silva, D. A. da. (2024). Life cycle assessment of cross laminated timber: a systematic literature review. CONTRIBUCIONES A LAS CIENCIAS SOCIALES, 17(6), e7359. https://doi.org/10.55905/revconv.17n.6-080
CR  - Shin, B., Wi, S., & Kim, S. (2023). Assessing the environmental impact of using CLT-hybrid walls as a sustainable alternative in high-rise residential buildings. Energy and Buildings, 294, 113228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2023.113228
CR  - Tokede, O. O., Rodgers, G., Waschl, B., Salter, J., & Ashraf, M. (2022). Harmonising life cycle sustainability thinking in material substitution for buildings. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 185, 106468. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2022.106468
CR  - Vybranets, Y., & Deineka, V. (2024). Comparatıve analysıs of calculatıon methods of clt structures. Theory and Building Practice, 2024(1), 40-48. https://doi.org/10.23939/jtbp2024.01.040
CR  - Wimmer, H., Huber, C., & Eder, R. (2023). Numerıcal and experımental ınvestıgatıons on the stress state of clt-plates near concentrated loads. World Conference on Timber Engineering (WCTE 2023), (pp. 2537-2547). https://doi.org/10.52202/069179-0334
CR  - Younis, A., & Dodoo, A. (2022). Cross-laminated timber for building construction: A life-cycle-assessment overview. Journal of Building Engineering, 52, 104482. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2022.104482
UR  - https://doi.org/10.54287/gujsa.1768961
L1  - https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/5171520
ER  -