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Hygromorphic timber

Passive curving method for multi-layer structural timber floor elements

Student:

Mentors:

Raymen Borst

Stijn Brancart

Gilbert Koskamp

More information:

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.

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