With the increasing popularity of cross-laminated timber (CLT) constructions around the world, there have been attempts to produce CLT using local wood species in different countries, such as Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi (Lamb.) Carr.) in China. Thus, the need to investigate the connection performance also increases to support the design and construction of CLT buildings using local wood species. In this study, the withdrawal properties of three different types of self-tapping screws (STS), with a diameter of 6 mm, 8 mm, and 11 mm, were tested with Japanese larch CLT. The results revealed that the withdrawal strength of STS increased with increasing density and effective length, but decreased with an increasing diameter. With a density increment of 0.05 g/cm³, the withdrawal strength increased by an average of 9.4%. With an effective length increment of 24 mm, the withdrawal strength increased by an average of 1.4%. An empirical regression model was adopted to predict the withdrawal strength of Japanese larch CLT based on the results, which can be used for potential engineering design of CLT connections using STS.

The compressive strength in the major direction of cross-laminated timber CLT is the key to supporting the building load when CLT is used as load-bearing walls in high-rise wood structures. This study mainly aims to present a model for predicting the average compressive strength of CLT and promoting the utilization of CLT made out of planted larch. The densities and compressive strengths of lamina specimens and CLT samples with widths of 89 and 178 mm were evaluated, and their relationship was analyzed to build a prediction model by using Monte Carlo simulation. The results reveal that the average density of the lamina and CLT were about equal, whereas the average compressive strength of the CLT was just about 72% of that of the lamina. Width exerted no significant effect on the average compressive strength of the CLT, but homogenization caused the wider CLT to have a smaller variation than that of the lamina. The average compressive strength of the lamina could be calculated by using the average density of lamina multiply by 103.10, and the average compressive strength of the CLT could be calculated according to the compression strength of lamina in major and minor direction, therefore, a new prediction model is determined to predict the average compression strength of CLT by using the average density of lamina or CLT, the average compression strength of CLT made in this study is about 74.23 times of the average density of the lamina. The results presented in this study can be used to predict the average compressive strength of CLT by using the average density of lamina and provide a fundamental basis for supporting the utilization of CLT as load-bearing walls.

The density and modulus of elasticity (MOE) distribution can provide information on the effectiveness of parametric and non-parametric methods in calculating the characteristic value of MOE. In this study, we aim to determine the optimal distribution model of the actual measured data of the lumber. We also estimate the lumber’s MOE characteristic value and compare the difference in density and MOE between natural and planted larch. Approximately 1200 pieces of dimension lumber of 4 m × 140 mm × 40 mm in size, made from larch and planted larch, were obtained, tested, and the corresponding standard MOE value was calculated. Results revealed the 3-parameter Weibull distribution to be optimal in fitting the natural and planted larch distributions. The parametric method proved effective in calculating the characteristic value of both larch groups, with characteristic MOE values of 9.73 kN/mm² and 8.84 kN/mm², and characteristic density values of 530 kg/m³ and 460 kg/m³ for natural and planted larch, respectively. Moreover, the MOE and density values followed grades C40 and C35. Thus, the conclusion is that the parametric method should be used to determine these characteristic values for natural and planted larch.

Vernacular architecture is a complex and living heritage type, and the study of the evolution laws of its spatial form is of great value to the conservation of architectural heritage diversity. Taking vernacular architecture in the Yunnan–Tibet area as the research object, based on the theory of spatial syntax, 30 building samples were subjected to global and local calculations of MD, I_RRA, and NACH values, while the common characteristics among the samples were obtained by using Kendall’s W test, and the individual characteristics among the samples were obtained by using differentiation analysis. The results show that: (a) vernacular architecture in the Yunnan–Tibet area exhibits characteristics of multi-cluster branched centrality and spatial hierarchical layout; (b) these architectures possess four categories of inheritance factors: the privacy of granary spaces, the centrality of corridor spaces, the passability of breeding areas, and the independence of scripture hall spaces; (c) these architectures possess three categories of differentiation factors: the functional evolution of traditional spaces, the spatial reconstruction of breeding areas, and the “Toilet Revolution” driven by multiple forces. This study elucidates the regulatory role of cultural continuity in shaping the spatial forms of vernacular architecture, providing new evidence for analyzing the formation mechanisms of vernacular architecture in the Yunnan–Tibet area.