Eco-Friendly Timber-Hybrid Construction Methods for Multi-Story Buildings
The topics of “sustainability” and “resource efficiency” are on everyone’s lips and are also increasingly becoming a focus at Augsburg University of Applied Sciences—or have long been a key area of research there. To mark this occasion, the Institute for Timber Construction at Augsburg University of Applied Sciences (HSA_ifh), in collaboration with two industry partners, has developed a project concept aimed at replacing traditional ceiling construction methods—which use climate-damaging materials such as cement and steel—with high-performance, eco-friendly hybrid structures made of wood and calcium sulfate. Starting in July 2019, this project will be funded for 36 months by the Bavarian State Ministry of the Environment and Consumer Protection (StMUV) as part of the “ForCYCLE II” project consortium.
People Involved
- Prof. Dr.-Ing. Sergej Rempel
- Markus Brand, B.Eng. (FH), M.Eng.
- Michael Mikoschek-Muggendorfer, M.Sc.
- Karlheinz Wohlmann, M.Sc.
The title of the project is “Optimization of the Wood-Concrete Composite Construction Method through the Use of Natural and Ecological Materials”—abbreviated as HB(Ca)V. With the wood-concrete composite construction method (HBV construction method) —in which wood on the underside (tension zone) and concrete on the top (compression zone) work together as a composite—it is possible to achieve, among other things, longer spans, more favorable vibration behavior, and better fire protection compared to conventional wood-based floors. However, a drawback is the use of cement as a binder and steel as reinforcement, both of which are associated with high CO₂ emissions. Ecological alternatives are not yet market-ready and have not yet been approved by building authorities for load-bearing applications in wood-concrete composite construction.
The overall goal of the project is to develop practical and market-ready solutions for the use of natural and ecological materials in the construction of floor slabs using wood-concrete composite construction. By substituting cement and steel with eco-friendly alternatives, the project aims to improve the resource efficiency and carbon footprint of this promising hybrid construction method. To this end, the naturally occurring mineral anhydrite (calcium sulfate) is intended to be used as a binder, along with (preferably biogenic) fiber reinforcement. In particular, the recyclability of the composite materials is of special importance. Furthermore, it is important that the performance of the HBV construction method be maintained through the use of alternative building materials; that is, load-bearing capacities at least equal to those of conventional HBV slabs made of cement concrete should be achieved. Overall, the goal is to increase the use of sustainable and eco-friendly raw materials in multi-story construction, which is an effective measure in light of resource and housing shortages.
The ForCYCLE II Project Consortium
The “Project Consortium for Greater Resource Efficiency in the Bavarian Economy, Particularly for SMEs and the Skilled Trades—ForCYCLE II” is part of the Bavarian State Government’s 7-point plan dated July 31, 2018. This plan was prepared by the State Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (StMUV) as a measure under the current Environmental Pact agreement between the state government and the Bavarian business community. The launch of the project consortium, comprising 11 subprojects (including one umbrella project), is scheduled for mid-2019 with a duration of three years and will be funded with a total of approximately three million euros. This project network aims to develop innovative technologies and processes for the efficient use of resources and for recycling, thereby further increasing resource efficiency in the Bavarian economy. In particular, it seeks to promote the sustainable use of resources among SMEs and the skilled trades in a practical and application-oriented manner.