SUPERVISOR: Benjamin KROMOSER

PROJECT ASSIGNED TO: Johannes BELZ

With its high share in global CO2 emissions, the construction sector needs new strategies to reduce its impact. Wood-based materials offer lower emissions compared to energy intensive materials such as concrete and steel but rising demand can place additional pressure on forests and ecosystems. At the same time, common multilayer engineered wood products can leave part of their mechanical potential unused, as their homogenized layouts are often not fully aligned with the actual load paths. This PhD focuses on the structural optimization of wooden building components by using the anisotropic properties of unidirectional strand board. The research examines how material orientation, panel segmentation, and layer configuration influence structural performance and resource efficiency, and how optimized orientations can reduce material demand in comparison to conventional layups. Numerical modelling, optimization methods, and experimental validation are combined to develop a general approach that increases the utilization of multilayered timber elements.