Laminated Glass Connection Details: Towards Homogeneous Material Joints in Glass

The demand for transparent but robust designs in architecture is still enormous. One of the most complex points of the application of glass is the use of efficient and appropriate connection details. The article examines a modular glass system about its architectural possibilities with a special focus on the connection methodology. We constructed a 2 x 2 x 1m prototype of specially laminated glass sheets with integrated connection details in the framework of a Master of Science programme on digital fabrication with support from Seele and Bischoff Glastechnik, which was also featured in two public exhibitions at TU Munich and the House of Architecture in Munich. The design potential is investigated using parametric geometrical modelling as well as FEM sensitivity analysis. At the interface between the architect and the engineer, the consequences of the FEM analysis are discussed reflecting the influence of the chosen connection to the peak stresses within the structure and expected deflections. A typical part of the examined structure is prepared as an FEA-model. The abstraction of the connection details within the model allows a more in-depth analysis of the load transmissions between the glass panes using non-linear contact effects as well as the rheological behaviour of the interlayer material. The examined structure was designed for application in small-scale architectural design. Beside the design, and analysis of the structure fabrication and installation aspects and their consequences to the design is explained in detail. Unique aspects of this article are new possibility to build transparent and efficient façade systems that can be flexibly adapted to possible areas of application due to the parametrically supported design processes. In addition to the design process, the direct interaction between the architect and the engineer was also able to consider the aspects of the data exchange regarding detail development. The article concludes with a description of further development for full-scale architectural applications and the necessary research

Wood-Veneer-Reinforced Mycelium Composites for Sustainable Building Components

The demand for building materials has been constantly increasing, which leads to excessive energy consumption for their provision. The looming environmental consequences have triggered the search for sustainable alternatives. Mycelium, as a rapidly renewable, low-carbon natural material that can withstand compressive forces and has inherent acoustic and fire-resistance properties, could be a potential solution to this problem. However, due to its low tensile, flexural and shear strength, mycelium is not currently widely used commercially in the construction industry. Therefore, this research focuses on improving the structural performance of mycelium composites for interior use through custom robotic additive manufacturing processes that integrate continuous wood fibers into the mycelial matrix as reinforcement. This creates a novel, 100% bio-based, wood-veneer-reinforced mycelium composite. As base materials, Ganoderma lucidum and hemp hurds for mycelium growth and maple veneer for reinforcement were pre-selected for this study. Compression, pull-out, and three-point bending tests comparing the unreinforced samples to the veneer-reinforced samples were performed, revealing improvements on the bending resistance of the reinforced samples. Additionally, the tensile strength of the reinforcement joints was examined and proved to be stronger than the material itself. The paper presents preliminary experiment results showing the effect of veneer reinforcements on increasing bending resistance, discusses the potential benefits of combining wood veneer and mycelium’s distinct material properties, and highlights methods for the design and production of architectural components

Application of hybrid glass-timber elements in architecture

The following paper explores the application of hybrid timber-glass elements on semi-continuous architectural structures. The use of glass as a structural material opens multiple fields of investigations. Beyond structural matters and safety issues, architectural questions as functionality and spatiality are briefly addressed, since they are paired with the structural layout. Furthermore, the potential of a glass plate system of overlaying, but yet discontinuous glass elements is addressed in more depth. Geometrical specifications on the structural glass application are elaborated on and generalized into a 'card house' algorithmic discretization model. Through the design and fabrication of a 'case study', the parallel use and digital simulation and empirical physical testing are discussed. A further potential use in the construction industry of the system is debated

3DWoodWind: robotic winding processes for material-efficient lightweight veneer components

Gefördert im Rahmen des Projekts DEA

Additive Timber Manufacturing: A Novel, Wood-Based Filament and Its Additive Robotic Fabrication Techniques for Large-Scale, Material-Efficient Construction

Gefördert durch den Publikationsfonds der Universität Kasse