Wood Building Technology

Our research

The research of the Wood Building Technology research environment at the Department of Building Technology is about developing the use of wood and wood based materials in modern building. We work in a number of laboratively aimed research projects. Comparative modelling using the finite element method extends over our research as an umbrella. We do research in close collaboration with trade and industry and have a modern, well-equipped laboratory offering great possibilities.

Wood is easy to use, renewable and recyclable. In constructions, if it is used correctly, it is stronger than steel. Wood is versatile, variable and with a look for all tastes. Wood has a comfortable surface. This is an explanation why the material wood has followed man through all times.

The goal of the wood building research at Linnaeus University is to develop wood and wood-based materials for use in modern construction. To achieve the best possible results, a combination of advanced calculation models and experiments is usually used. The research can be described in a number of different areas, from material to system level:

• Strength Grading of Timber
• Moisture and properties over time in wood
• Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT)
• Connections in Timber Structures
• Composite elements and hybrid structures
• Wooden constructions
• Condition monitoring of structures

Systems

Buildings are complex systems, where many things work together and where solutions at the level of detail can have consequences for the entire building. One of the issues that is of great importance for timber houses is the overall stability. In building technology, we work to develop better calculation methods for stabilization of mainly tall timber houses.

The issues that today receive the most attention in research on apartment buildings in timber are related to the design of different types of wooden building systems. In this field, a number of research projects are underway where we study how to get better technical solutions, but also how to create better calculation models and how to monitor the properties of structures.

Components

A crucial detail for coping with both stability, noise and resilience are the connections, i.e. the joints between walls and beams. Another project aims to develop important aspects of building systems of cross-laminated timber (CLT) to increase its competitiveness. A new type of product is glass-timber composite elements for load-bearing applications.

Material

There are many research questions about the material wood. It can, for example, be about strength and stiffness, and then also about how to sort wood with "correct" properties. Other questions are about how fractures in the timber occur and how to make models of this process. Questions may also affect the dimensional stability of the material when exposed to moisture variations.