Introduction to special issue—advances in mass timber structures.

The use of mass timber in construction has increased in recent years due to its potential to reduce carbon emissions and its aesthetic appeal. This special issue of the Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering presents research on the design and performance of mass timber structures. The articles cover topics such as seismic behavior, lateral load-resisting systems, fire performance, impact loading, and retrofitting existing buildings. The goal is to improve the scientific understanding of timber structures and provide valuable information for researchers, engineers, architects, developers, and building owners. The use of mass timber as a low carbon alternative is promising, but safety under extreme load events is a priority. The guest editors express gratitude to the authors, editors, and reviewers involved in this special issue. [Extracted from the article]