Entwicklung eines Hochleistungsverbundträgersystems für den Ingenieurholzbau

Development of a high-performance hybrid beam system for timber engineering

For over 100 years demanding long-span constructions in timber engineering are mainly built using glulam. The further development of this homogenized engineered wood product into a hybrid high-performance component creates new fields of application for wood as a natural raw and building material. This particularly includes lightweight constructions with increased demands in terms of load-bearing capacity, longer spans and/or reduced height for building, industrial and bridge construction. Significant improvements of the flexural strength and stiffness can be achieved by reinforcements of the beam's edge zones using high-performance materials. This article presents innovative construction approaches for the production of a highly efficient hybrid system made of wood as main material. The compression zone is reinforced by a layer of polymer concrete. The tension zone is strengthened either with CFRP-, GFRP- or steel-reinforced lamellas made of laminated veneer lumber (LVL). Additional reinforcing elements increase the shear resistance or improve the transverse load-carrying capacity of the bearings.