HolzQS

Quality assurance in modern multi-storey timber and timber-hybrid construction - development of protection concepts and monitoring systems

The Institute of Building Construction and Timber Structures at TU Braunschweig is launching the HolzQS project on 1 March 2023. The research project is being carried out under the leadership of Brüninghoff Holz GmbH & Co. KG in collaboration with holz[bau]physik Daniel Kehl, Büro für Architektur, Energie und Bauphysik Robert Heinicke and Sachverständigenbüro Mohrmann holz⁴

In building construction, there has recently been an increasing demand for and realisation of large-volume structures, primarily in timber or timber hybrid construction with solid timber (cross-laminated timber, CLT). In comparison, project sizes in timber construction have usually been characterised by smaller dimensions. Here, weather protection could usually be adequately guaranteed by short assembly times, taking into account favourable weather conditions, or by using temporary covers. Current experience with large-volume and multi-storey buildings in timber construction, on the other hand, clearly shows that the specific construction and assembly processes required demand different and new weather protection concepts. Experience has shown that constructive and organisational planning, including tender specifications, rarely take sufficient protective measures into account. At the end of the planning phase, these services are often left exclusively to the contractors - with the consequence that planned constructions are often not or only insufficiently protected against moisture. A second focus of moisture protection lies in the utilisation period. Building constructions made of the organic material wood are sensitive to moisture and particularly in need of protection against leakage and water damage. Therefore, the overall aim of the HolzQS research project is to develop concrete solutions and quality assurance systems for modern multi-storey timber construction that ensure good organisational and structural wood and weather protection during the production, construction and use phases. In future, it should be possible to counter moisture damage in timber construction comprehensively, proactively and preventively. The potential for damage in large-volume timber buildings can be significantly reduced both during the construction phase and during the utilisation phase if appropriate practical protection concepts are available based on the results of this joint research project.

The project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) via Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e.V. (FNR).

If you have any questions about the project, please contact Tomma Grensemann or Daniel Kehl.