Efficient Hybrid Structure for Long Span Applications
ITECH Master Thesis
credits: Francesco Milano, Guillaume Caussarieu, Niccolo Dambrosio, Nikolas Früh, Prof. Prof. Menges, Prof. .Prof. Knippers.
“The building industry has a major impact in global resource consumption, hence is strongly participating in greenhouse gases emissions, reinforcing global warming. More efficient construction solutions are needed, both in terms of material use as in construction efficiency. In order to encourage efficient design, the current research proposes to embrace modern computational design and fabrication tools, to reinterpret historic design strategies where material efficiency was essential. Using the Belfast Truss, a wooden structure combining a bowstring arch and dense lattice configuration as inspiration, the intent is to associate thin timber plates and Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRP) in a lightweight and material efficient hybrid system, suitable for long span applications. This Master thesis extends the scope of the Belfast truss, revisiting its design and pushing it from a two dimensional and single purpose load bearing element towards a three dimensional structural system, where structure, design and roofing purposes are merged into a single holistic solution. After studying and developing interfaces between fibres and timber, architectural designs, structural solutions, computational engineering workflows and fabrication strategies, a six meter long demonstrator was fabricated allowing to appreciate the potential of this solution.”
