Design of timber-based hybrid structures, KTH

TränätverkA vill uppmärksamma alla arkitekter och konstruktörer som letar efter ett unikt tillfälle att dels fördjupa sina kunskaper om träkonstruktion dels fördjupa möjligheterna till samarbete och kontakter mellan konstruktörer och arkitekter att anmälan till denna kurs om 7,5p i hybridkonstruktion med trä är öppen. Kursstart är 17 mars 2020. För vidare frågor kontakta Prof. Roberto Crocetti (Course Coordinator); crocetti@kth.se

TränätverkA deltar i diskussioner om möjligheter för vidareutbildning inom arkitektur och träkonstruktion och vi kommer återkomma till detta framöver.

KTH Civil and Architectural Engineering, Building Materials
Master level course:
Design of timber-based hybrid structures (AF2302, AF232U), 7,5 credits

Contact persons: Prof. Roberto Crocetti (Course Coordinator); crocetti@kth.se
Prof. Magnus Wålinder (Course Examiner); walinder@kth.se

Course schedule: Period 4, 2020, week 12-23; Tuesdays and Thursdays day time. The course is mainly project based, completed by introductory lectures, seminars and tutorials.  Course fee for industrial participants (uppdragsutbildning AF232U): 20 kSEK, excl VAT.

Intended learning outcomes

The overall goal of the course is to give knowledge about wood and wood-based materials and how these can be combined with other materials in structural and architectural applications. Analysis and design methods of timber-based hybrid components and systems are studied. After having passed the course the student should:

  • Understand the physical and mechanical behaviour of different wood species and wood-based materials
  • Gain understanding about how different forms influence the efficiency and the aesthetics  of structures
  • Gain knowledge about bridges and large span-structures made of timber-based materials
  • Gain knowledge about the use of timber and timber-based structures 
  • Understand both possibilities and limitations of timber when used in structures
  • Understand, analyse and design wood-based hybrid components
  • Understand, analyse and design timber-based hybrid systems
  • Gain knowledge about connection techniques for timber-based hybrid members and structures
  • Be able to design timber-based components
  • Be aware about possible failure modes of timber based hybrid structures

Course main content

  • Mechanical properties of wood
    • Durability and methods for enhancement of durability of wood
    • Significant properties of some wood species (e.g. spruce, pine, beech, birch)
  • Theory of full and partial composite action
  • Engineering wood products (EWP)
  • Wood-based hybrid components and systems
  • Mechanical connections
  • Timber and timber-based structures in architecture
  • Timber-based bridges and large-span structures

Further information

  1. Planned study visits at:
  2. Timber manufacturer/s 
  3. Existing timber and hybrid structures
  • Student seminars on topics agreed with the supervisor

As a basis for the seminar, the students must write a state-of-the-art report on a topic agreed with the supervisor. The topics will be presented at the course introduction, see course schedule. The work shall be performed by groups of 2-3 students. 

  • Project work 

The project work shall be performed by groups of 2-3 students, possibly consisting of both architects and engineers. The project work concerns planning, design and construction of a pedestrian bridge made of timber-based hybrid materials with span 6m and width 2.5m. The bridge shall fulfil a number of given requirements, such as:

  • Strength
    • Stiffness
    • Cost-efficiency
    • Aesthetics
    • Durability
    • Easy to assemble and dissemble
    • Etc.
  • Examination
  • Approved student seminar and report
  • Approved project work and oral presentation 
  • Mini-exam

Design of timber-based hybrid structures (AF2302, AF232U), 7,5 creditsDetailed Course Schedule (preliminary)

The lecture room is Lallerstedt, Osquars backe 31, KTHB, floor 4, KTH Campus

wDay/DateTimeTeacherCurriculum
12Tue 17/310.00 – 12.0013.00 – 17.00RC & MWIntroduction to the course Introduction of the timber hybrid bridge project Timber based hybrid components and systems -why?Form and forcesTimber-based structural typesTimber-based bridges
13Tue 24/308.00 – 12.0013.00 – 17.00MWDurability of woodDifferent wood species and EWPsFormation of groups and choice of seminar topic*
13Thu 26/308.00– 12.0013.00 – 16.00RCConnections Discussion of seminar topic with the supervisorsTutorials on bridge project
14Tue 31/310.00 – 12.0013.00 – 17.00RCFull and partial composite action in timber based hybrid structuresStudent presentation- seminar topic “Durability of wood, different wood species and EWPs”Student presentation- seminar topic “Connection 1”Tutorials on bridge project
14Thur 2/409.00 – 12.0013.00 – 16.00RCDesign of CLT structuresStudent presentation- seminar topic “Full and partial composite action”Student presentation- seminar topic “Connection 2”Tutorials on bridge project
15Tue 7/410.00 – 12.0013.00 – 17.00RC Timber-concrete, timber-steel and timber-FRP composite structuresStudent presentation- seminar topic “CLT structures”Tutorials on bridge project
17Tue 21/410.00 – 12.0013.00 – 17.00BN Timber-timber composite structuresStudent presentation- seminar topic “Timber-concrete  timber-Steel and timber-FRP composite structures”Tutorials on bridge project
17Thu 23/408.00 – 12.0013.00 – 17.00RC Bridges and large span structures of timber-based hybrid materials.Student presentation- seminar topic “Timber-timber composite structures”Tutorials on bridge project 
18Tue 28/410.00 – 12.0013.00 – 17.00PL Structural expression in architectureStudent presentation- seminar topic “Timber based large span structures”Tutorials on bridge project
19Mon-Tue 4-5/408.00 – 17.0008.00 – 21.00 Study trip to glulam and CLT manufactures and building sites
19Thur 07/508.00 – 12.0013.00 – 17.00 Student presentation- seminar topic “Structural expression in architecture”Tutorials on bridge project
20Tue 07/508.00 – 12.0013.00 – 17.00 Final Presentation and test of bridges
21Date not defined  Mini-exam

RC = Roberto Crocetti; MW = Magnus Wålinder; BN = Bert Norlin: PL: Peter Lynch

* Possible seminar topics:

  1. Durability of wood, different wood species and EWPs
  2. CLT structures
  3. Timber-based hybrid structures for large span applications
  4. Composite timber-concrete  timber-steel, timber-FRP structures
  5. Composite timber-timber structures
  6. Multi-shear timber connections with slotted-in plates and dowels
  7. Timber connections with bonded-in rods
  8. Innovative connection types
  9. Theory of partial and full composite action in timber-based hybrid structures
  10. Timber-based structural expression in architecture