Universal Timber Slab

COMPUTATIONAL DESIGN, FABRICATION AND ENGINEERING METHODS FOR UNCONSTRAINED, HIGHLY RESOURCE-EFFICIENT, POINT-SUPPORTED TIMBER SLABS IN MULTI-STOREY BUILDINGS

In this project, a multidisciplinary team of leading young researchers will investigate a promising novel building system approach for universally applicable, lightweight point-supported timber flat slabs for multi-storey buildings. The project aims to build the fundamental computational design, engineering and fabrication methods to transfer cutting-edge research from an academic context to broad application within the AEC industry. Funded by the European Innovation Council, the project aims to advance the system concept from Technology Readiness Level 1 (TRL 1) to TRL 4. At the end of the project, the participants aim to spin-off and offer a breakthrough sustainable building technology to the international market.

The developed system will lay the foundation for a mass-timber slab system that can broadly replace the predominant point-supported reinforced concrete flat slabs. The core concept of the system allows for the construction of unconstrained slab geometries, making it especially suitable for building projects within an inner-urban context. The building system will be designed for multidirectional, long-span slabs and enables computationally derived geometric adaptability to typical boundary conditions, such as site, programme and design intent. The possibility for free and sparse column positions and grids allows for greater design flexibility and the creation of mixed-use urban platforms with significant potential for long-term reusability. Hence, the project aims to develop a universally applicable, supplyable, usable and affordable alternative building system, making timber construction broadly available.

Given the complexity of the material makeup and potentially long computing times, we will also investigate the use of surrogate modelling methods based on disciplinary modelling techniques. These methods allow for the fast computation of various design options. An AI-based Intelligent Decision Support System will integrate all surrogate models and provide informative design feedback for the universal timber slab system throughout all design stages. This will offer an intuitive planning interface for industry professionals, eliminating the need for expert knowledge and making it more accessible and practical for broader use, moving beyond the confines of specialised scientific research.

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS & PARTICIPATING RESEARCHERS

Prof. Achim Menges and Hans Jakob Wagner (PCoCo)
Institute for Computational Design and Construction (ICD), University of Stuttgart
Tenure-Track Prof. Dr. Thomas Wortmann
Chair for Computing in Architecture/Institute for Computational Design and Construction (ICD/CA), University of Stuttgart
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jan Knippers
Institute for Building Structures and Structural Design (ITKE), University of Stuttgart
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Philip Leistner
Institute for Acoustics and Building Physics (IABP), University of Stuttgart
Jun.-Prof. Dr. Philippe Grönquist and Dr.-Ing. Gerhard Dill-Langer
Institute of Construction Materials (IWB), University of Stuttgart
Materials Testing Institute (MPA), University of Stuttgart

RESEARCHERS

Martin Alvarez (ICD)
Tim Stark (ICD)
Gregor Neubauer (ITKE)
Renan Prandini (ITKE)
Theresa Müller (IABP)
Julia Weißert (IABP)
Aaron Münzer (IWB/MPA)
Max Zorn (ICD/CA)

FUNDING

Horizon Europe – EIC Pathfinder Challenge: AEC digitalisation for a new triad of design, fabrication and materials.