Do timber + steel add up to new construction efficiencies?
In engineering modern multi-storey buildings, timber-steel hybrid elements could offer new construction advantages over conventional solutions. Combining timber and steel can lead to economic and ecologic benefits as construction height can be optimised, earthquake resistance improved and assembly done more efficiently.
Hybrid timber-steel beams have been the subject of research at the Vienna University of Technology by Wolfgang Winter and associates. The aim of the researchers is to optimise the geometry of the timber-steel hybrid beam regarding cost effectiveness and load-bearing capacity. One new approach considered was to use cold formed ‘U' profiles made of thin steel plates.
While promising, key issues for further hybrid beam research include creeping, load distribution, safety factor, need for additional steel plate reinforcements and assembling time.
The results are promising and indicate that hybrid steel reinforced timber structures have the potential to be light, fast and clean.
Click here to read the full research report.
Image courtesy of WCTE