Non-metallic mechanical connections for timber structures
| Head of Research : | Prof. Dr.-Ing. Peer Haller |
|
Research Assistant: |
Siavash Namari, M.Sc. Jens Hartig, Dr.-Ing. Jörg Wehsener, Dr.-Ing. |
| Participating Research Centers: | STRAB Ingenieurholzbau Hermsdorf GmbH (Deutschland) |
| Processing Period: | 01.07.2014 - 30.06.2016 |
| Funding Association: |
ZIM |
Wood is gaining renewed attention in technical applications, such as engineered timber construction, due to increasing demands for sustainability. Currently, connection elements are typically made of steel, which poses challenges, particularly regarding corrosion and thermal properties. The goal of the project is to develop a novel, competitive, non-metallic connection technique based on slotted plates made from resin-pressed wood, laminated veneer lumber, or fiber-reinforced plastics. This new connection technique aims to provide at least the same cost efficiency, load-bearing capacity, and stiffness as metallic fasteners, while eliminating corrosion, significantly improving durability, offering better fire resistance, and reducing manufacturing complexity.
The primary task of the research project is the development, investigation, production, and testing of node details for large-span truss girders. The subproject at TU Dresden focuses on both theoretical and experimental studies on the load-bearing behavior of the connections being developed. The outcome of this work will be the creation of a design concept.