Friday, April 25, 2025
Fraunhofer Institute for Wood Research Wilhelm-Klauditz-Institut (WKI), in partnership with leading research institutions and significant industry support, is pioneering groundbreaking methods to substantially expand timber construction applications. Through the “SafeTeCC” research project, Fraunhofer WKI is advancing processes and technologies designed for swift, straightforward, and high-quality production of wood-concrete composite elements, utilizing innovative quick-bonding techniques.
Wood construction plays a pivotal role in climate protection, offering substantial environmental benefits. By effectively combining timber and concrete, researchers at Fraunhofer WKI in Braunschweig aim to push the boundaries of current timber construction practices, specifically targeting increased usage in multi-storey building projects. The goal is to establish wood-concrete composite elements (HBV elements) as viable, competitive alternatives to traditional reinforced concrete.
Wood-concrete composite elements leverage the complementary properties of wood and concrete to create superior building components. Timber, prized for its low weight and exceptional tensile strength, is ideal for lightweight construction. Concrete’s integration significantly boosts load-bearing capacity, enhances fire resistance, and improves sound insulation, allowing for slimmer yet stronger designs.
The new quick-bonding technology, developed collaboratively with research partners from the Technical University of Braunschweig and the University of Kassel, aims to enhance the structural integrity, economic viability, and recyclability of HBV elements. A crucial component of this research is the utilization of hardwood as a locally sourced renewable resource, promoting ecological sustainability within construction practices.
“We are developing standardized procedures for manufacturing durable HBV components suitable for practical, real-world applications,” explains Malte Mérono, project manager at Fraunhofer WKI. “Alongside our main hot bonding technique, alternative bonding methods are being rigorously tested. These technologies ensure seamless joining of wood to smooth concrete surfaces and are designed for both factory and on-site production environments.”
The research outcomes will be systematically compiled into a user-friendly practical guide. This comprehensive manual will outline crucial implementation steps, technical standards, and guidelines, providing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) a reliable foundation to confidently manufacture and apply HBV elements.
The technology spearheaded by Malte Mérono and his collaborative partners has already achieved significant milestones in real-world applications. Together with fischerwerke GmbH & Co. KG, a leading industry partner, a successfully bonded HBV component was implemented as a suspended ceiling in a multi-storey construction project. This landmark achievement is paving the way for building regulatory approval, a vital step toward broader adoption.
“The successful implementation and impending regulatory approval mark a major advancement towards integrating wood extensively in multi-storey constructions,” stated Mérono. “This progress significantly contributes to the ecological transformation of an industry traditionally dominated by reinforced concrete.”
The industry response to this pioneering bonding technology has been overwhelmingly positive. Interest is notably strong among construction firms, engineers, adhesive producers, and architectural practices. According to Harald Schwab, Head of Department at Fraunhofer WKI, “We are experiencing considerable demand not just nationally but internationally for our Structural Bonding testing services and industry certifications.”
He further added, “Detailed inquiries and emerging bonding techniques related to glued laminated timber (glulam) continually emerge, underscoring the industry’s proactive stance in adopting and advancing timber-concrete composite technology.”
Through the “SafeTeCC” initiative and its revolutionary bonding processes, Fraunhofer WKI is paving the way for more sustainable, efficient, and flexible timber construction solutions, driving significant progress towards eco-friendly, resource-efficient buildings of the future.
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Tags: Buildings, Components, Ecological Building, Elements, Fire Resistance in Timber, Fraunhofer WKI, Glued Laminated Timber, Hardwood Utilization, HBV Elements, Hybrid Building, Innovative Adhesives, lightweight construction, LIGNA News, Multi-storey Timber, Prefabricated Building, Quick-Bonding Technology, renewable materials, solutions, Sound Insulation, structural bonding, sustainable construction, timber construction, Timber Engineering, wood news, wood technology, Wood-Concrete Composite
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