Digital production of highly efficient wood-wood connections

If in comparison a truss system is used as known from former times, a similar load bearing capacity and stiffness can be achieved with much less material effort. The aim of the research group for resource-efficient structural engineering, led by Prof. Benjamin Kromoser, is to industrialize the design and manufacturing process of timber truss systems to be able to compete with the common plate girder systems. In detail the complete process starting from the design, static optimization, static proofs according to the standards, work preparation to production process will be cumulated in a continuous digital approach. The stiffness of a truss system is directly linked to the stiffness of the truss joints. Thus, we started to test different wood-wood connections to determine the most efficient version for the approach. Besides traditional wood connections and engineer-type wood connections (gusset plate) we also tested completely new versions which are enabled by digital fabrication tools.