preliminary investigations of a design framework for low-to-midrise buildings with robotically shaped whole timber structural elements with low-to-no steel joints

Abstract

Following an exhaustive evaluation of the limitations of whole-timber carpentry connections in low-to­midrise buildings, recommendations therein have been extrapolated and applied to a small preliminary study of four beam-to-column connection details. These connections included two steel-free and two steel-minimised connections, each with compressive reinforcement. To understand the potential of each connection, fabrication trials and observational assembly tests were conducted. The complications of fabrication were workshopped across all stakeholders, and preliminary moment-rotation, pull-out, and gravity load observations were conducted to better understand how the fabrication frameworks and joint designs could be improved. The observations highlighted key successes as well as weaknesses in the design, fabrication, and construction methodologies, which were rectified. One connection that resulted from this revision is based on traditional interlocking dovetail mortise-tenon carpentry designs and the second is a blend of traditional mortise-tenon and contemporary connections with internal steel fasteners. The preliminary design and fabrications methods, as well as consequential changes, are discussed to provide a better understanding of the applications and limitations of natural-form structural elements and low-to-no steel beam-to-column joints in practice. The final connection designs and preliminary design framework is presented and upcoming sequential research is summarised