Wood-steel hybrid construction methods for sustainable building

The building sector is Germany's largest carbon dioxide emitter. The sustainable conversion of the construction industry is therefore a decisive contribution in the fight against climate change and the aim of the HoStaBau project. As a renewable building material, wood can help to replace conventional carbon-dioxide-intensive building materials. However, the possible applications are limited due to its mechanical properties. In some cases, large cross-sections have to be used to enable the required spans. Researchers at KIT are developing wood-steel hybrid construction methods that combine the strengths of the building materials and compensate for their respective weaknesses. Component tests in the project showed a doubling of the load-bearing capacity and a 250 percent increase in the bending stiffness of the hybrid beams compared to pure timber beams. The analytical verification concept developed as part of the project should enable quick and easy implementation in construction practice. In the next steps, the researchers are aiming to validate the design concept experimentally and numerically and are planning to develop hybrid columns in a further research project.

Further information:

• https://stahl.vaka.kit.edu/english/26_1848.php

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