In the heart of China’s rapid urbanization, a groundbreaking study led by Zongjun Zhang from the School of Finance at Lanzhou University of Finance and Economics is reshaping the future of high-rise construction. Published in the journal *Case Studies in Thermal Engineering* (which translates to *Case Studies in Thermal Engineering*), this research offers a compelling vision for climate-resilient, low-carbon buildings that are not only seismically robust but also ready to integrate renewable energy systems.
China’s urban landscape is evolving, and with it, the need for structures that can withstand the escalating climate risks—intensified seismic hazards, typhoon-induced lateral loads, heatwaves, and moisture-driven material degradation. Zhang’s study introduces timber-concrete composite (TCC) systems as a promising solution, aligning with China’s dual-carbon goals and the growing emphasis on renewable-energy-ready building envelopes.
The study focuses on two hybrid TCC floor-slab configurations in a high-rise building representative of seismic-prone regions in Southwest and Eastern China. The first configuration, Type 1, replaces reinforced-concrete (RC) slabs and shear walls with cross-laminated timber (CLT), reducing the overall building mass to 62.4% of the RC baseline. This reduction lowers seismic forces by 39.8% and base shear by 31.7%, significantly enhancing resilience to high-intensity earthquakes.
The second configuration, Type 2, preserves the RC core while substituting the remaining slabs with CLT. This approach further reduces structural mass by 45.6%, resulting in a 37.5% reduction in seismic demand and a 21.2% reduction in base shear. Both systems use C30/37 concrete to meet China’s high-rise code requirements.
Finite-element simulations calibrated to Chinese seismic design standards confirm full compliance under projected climate-linked seismic amplification scenarios. “The simulations showed that our TCC systems can withstand the most severe seismic events projected for the coming decades,” Zhang explains. “This is a game-changer for high-rise construction in earthquake-prone regions.”
Embodied-carbon analysis reveals reductions of up to 36.5% for Type 1 and 50.4% for Type 2 compared with the RC benchmark, positioning TCC as an effective pathway toward China’s carbon-neutrality agenda. The lighter, thermally efficient TCC slabs also improve compatibility with building-integrated renewable-energy systems, including rooftop PV, photovoltaic façades, and hybrid energy-harvesting building skins. “By integrating renewable energy systems, we’re not just building for today but for a sustainable future,” Zhang adds.
The study’s findings highlight the long-term performance advantages of TCC slab systems, including better moisture durability, reduced thermal stress, and alignment with national green-building policies. These systems offer a climate-resilient, seismically robust, and renewable-energy-ready structural strategy for high-rise buildings across China’s earthquake- and typhoon-affected regions.
As China continues to urbanize, the adoption of TCC systems could revolutionize the construction industry, offering a sustainable and resilient alternative to traditional reinforced-concrete structures. This research not only shapes future developments in the field but also paves the way for a greener, more energy-efficient urban landscape.