Computational design, fabrication and engineering methods for unconstrained, highly resource efficient, point-supported timber slabs in multi-storey buildings

Introduction

The project aims to develop novel design, engineering, and fabrication methods for point-supported timber slab structures in multi-storey buildings. It aims to provide the fundamental technologies for a sustainable alternative building system that could broadly replace point-supported reinforced concrete slabs, especially in urban building projects.

Objectives

The project aims to develop a universally applicable, suppliable, usable, and affordable alternative building system and make timber construction broadly available. It is based on a building system concept in which a complex arrangement of wood lamellas provides the potential for high structural performance.

Key Areas of Focus

Questions of design computation, structural engineering, simulation methods, and mechanical testing of this system will be addressed in the project.

1. Design computation
2. Structural engineering
3. Simulation methods
4. Mechanical testing

Surrogate Modelling Methods

Provided the complexity of the material makeup and potentially long computing times, surrogate modelling methods will be developed based on disciplinary modelling methods. These allow fast computation of various design options.

Intelligent Decision Support System

An AI-based Intelligent Decision Support System will integrate all surrogate models and provide informative design feedback of the universal timber slab system throughout all design stages.

Application and Flexibility

The building system will be applicable to multidirectional, long-span slabs and enable computationally derived geometric adaptivity to typical building project boundary conditions, such as:

• Site
• Program
• Design intent

The possibility for free and sparse column layouts allows for higher design flexibility and the design of mixed-use urban platforms with great potential for long-term reusability.

Sustainability Impact

The system leverages computational design and construction to build bespoke, highly material-efficient, and digitally scalable building structures from wood. Hence, it provides high potential to sustainably and broadly disrupt predominant, energy- and carbon-intensive reinforced concrete slabs in building construction.