Hygromorphic timber
Passive curving method for multi-layer structural timber floor elements
Student:
Mentors:
Raymen Borst
Stijn Brancart
Gilbert Koskamp
Recent research in timber passive self-shaping has primarily focused on bi-layers, with little progress towards developing multi-layered structural products for the built environment. This high-risk master thesis explores the potential of creating and testing complex multi-layer boxfloor elements. By examining geometry, material, and product design, the study proposes an efficient and sustainable alternative to conventional concrete and timber floor elements. Increasing wood moisture content in a controlled environment induces hygro-expansion in timber blocks. Through specific assembly and drying processes, self-shaping occurs without emissions, producing curved timber elements. Capped and barreled ceilings were used as benchmarks, with an optimal curve height to length ratio of 1:8 to 1:12. Not only assembly process but also interconnections, thickness and treatment-time can influence the overall curve height. The research demonstrated that current multi-layer boxfloor elements can achieve approximately 30% of the desired curve height.