Position within the page tree

Integrative Computational Design and Construction for Architecture (T3.0)
Research
Associated Projects
AP 27 – Self-Forming Cylindrical Wood Structures

Self-Forming Cylindrical Wood Components for Sustainable Lightweight Structures

Associated Project 27 (AP 27)

SELF-FORMING CYLINDRICAL WOOD COMPONENTS FOR SUSTAINABLE LIGHTWEIGHT STRUCTURES

This project investigates how a novel self-shaping manufacturing process can be effectively used for the sustainable production of cylindrical components, particularly with regard to their structural potential as lightweight, high performance building components. The self-shaping wood process has been intensively researched and proven for the industrial production of curved CLT with radii greater than 2.3 m. This novel manufacturing process for curved wood components replaces mechanical, energy and cost intensive forming processes and instead utilises the shape change of the material due to shrinkage during drying. The self-shaping behaviour can be reliably simulated and also allows significantly smaller bending radii for the same lamella thickness than conventional processes. It also reduces elastic recovery and can be designed for optimum fibre orientation in load-bearing components.

The current project is investigating the structural applications and possibilities, static performance and ecological balance of self-shaped cylindrical wooden components in the range of 0.1 to 3.0 m radi. Due to their geometric stiffness, these components are particularly efficient and efficient and material-saving (e.g. barrel vaults, ribbed ceilings, tubular structures, columns, masts, etc.). The possibility of using wood for such components allows both the substitution of otherwise common building materials, all of which are characterised by significantly higher embodied energy and CO₂ emissions, as well as opening up new construction possibilities for the sustainable building material wood.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR & PARTICIPATING RESEARCHER

Prof. Achim Menges
Institute for Computational Design and Construction (ICD), University of Stuttgart
Dr.-Ing. Dylan Wood
Institute for Computational Design and Construction (ICD), University of Stuttgart

RESEARCHER

Laura Kiesewetter (ICD)

PARTNERS

Institut für Forstnutzung und Forsttechnik, Technische Universität Dresden
Blumer Lehmann AG, Gossau, CH

FUNDING

Bundesinstitut für Bau-, Stadt- und Raumforschung (BBSR) im Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung, Innovationsprogramm Zukunft Bau

PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

2023
1. Wood, D., Kiesewetter, L., Körner, A., Takahashi, K., Knippers, J., & Menges, A. (2023). HYGROSHELL – In Situ Self-shaping of Curved Timber Shells. In K. Dörfler, J. Knippers, A. Menges, S. Parascho, H. Pottmann, & T. Wortmann (Eds.), Advances in Architectural Geometry 2023 (pp. 43–54). De Gruyter. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783111162683-004
  - BibTeX
  BibTeX
  @inbook{wood2023hygroshell, abstract = {Curved, surface-active, shell structures are known for material efficiency and slenderness but typically require complex manufacturing and formwork in combination with intricate on-site construction processes. The presented research proposes an alternative approach: a self-shaping building system for deploying lightweight, curved surface structures made from timber. The system uses the inherent hygromorphic properties of wood which naturally shrinks through drying. This anisotropic shape change is embedded into large-scale bilayer sheets - produced, machined, and shingle clad in a flat state with their later curved shape and connection detailing physically programmed within the material build-ups. When placed on-site, these sheets actuate through air drying to a final curved and interlocked geometry. Geometrically the structure is integratively designed from variable single curved surfaces using key material parameters (end grain angle and moisture content change) within a material stock, in relation to both the self-shaping and the final structural configuration. Each surface is modeled in the curved state using a board specific algorithmic calculation of curvature potential in parallel to a flat fabrication model. Emphasis is placed on investment in early-stage planning and intelligent material arrangement as a method to produce useful curvature. As a result, the curved shell shapes and interlocks without formwork or external mechanical force, with little onsite work. The outcome is a lightweight, longspan roof structure built from single curved wood surfaces with a thin cross-laminated build up. The project demonstrates a tangible new method of low impact, light touch self-construction and an ecologically effective use of material and geometry.}, author = {Wood, Dylan and Kiesewetter, Laura and Körner, Axel and Takahashi, Kenryo and Knippers, Jan and Menges, Achim}, booktitle = {Advances in Architectural Geometry 2023}, day = 4, doi = {https://doi.org/10.1515/9783111162683-004}, editor = {Dörfler, Kathrin and Knippers, Jan and Menges, Achim and Parascho, Stefana and Pottmann, Helmut and Wortmann, Thomas}, isbn = {9783111160115}, language = {eng}, month = {10}, pages = {43-54}, publisher = {De Gruyter}, series = {De Gruyter STEM}, title = {HYGROSHELL – In Situ Self-shaping of Curved Timber Shells}, year = 2023 }