Outdoor test bench at the Bern University of Applied Sciences, Biel
2018
Supports, panels, done: In the courtyard of the Bern University of Applied Sciences in Biel stands a permanent test rig featuring the new TS3 technology and the world’s first balcony bonded at the front. This clearly demonstrates the new possibilities for timber construction.
The innovative Timber Structures 3.0 (TS3) technology bonds solid wood, laminated timber, or cross-laminated timber components end-to-end. This allows for the creation of point-supported, multi-axial load-bearing panels or truss structures in any shape and size. This opens up new possibilities in construction and design that were previously inaccessible to timber construction.
As part of a CTI project in collaboration with the Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH) and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), the endurance test rig featuring TS3 technology was constructed. The endurance test rig is a crucial step in the certification process for the European and American markets.
The Construction Method
The 7.5 x 7.5 m point-supported, bi-axially loaded floor slab consists of eight 2.5 m wide and 3.8 m or 1.8 m long, 24 cm thick cross-laminated timber panels, which were joined using adhesive grouting. Supporting the structure in a 6.0 x 6.0 m grid, four screw-in foundations—5.0 m and 6.5 m long—are installed at specific points. Together with the two 24 cm thick pendulum supports, this demonstrates the TS3 system: supports, panels, done.
The Challenges
The greatest challenge was the precise bonding of the load-bearing floor slab, the cantilevered balcony, and the folded roof structure in pouring rain. With twelve-ton stone blocks or a continuous surface load of 3.3 kN/m², the structure is now being put through its paces.
Construction data
- Round timber posts: 24 cm diameter, 2 pieces
- Screw piles: 4 pieces
- Stone blocks: 36 pieces or 12 tons
Timber construction
Stuberholz 3054 Schüpfen
Construction management
Bern University of Applied Sciences AHB 2500 Biel
CLT: Schilliger Holz AG, 6403 Küssnacht
Crane work: Flück Holzbau AG, 8602 Wangen near Dübendorf
Adhesive: Henkel & Cie AG, 4133 Pratteln
Screw foundations: Krinner GmbH, 3272 Walperswil
Roof waterproofing: Contec AG, 3661 Uetendorf
Waterproofing: Böhme AG, 3097 Liebefeld
Natural stone blocks: Guber Natursteine AG, 6056 Kägiswil
Images
Trade press
Concrete out, timber in
Baublatt, August 2019 - Concrete out, timber in by Karin Stei Together with the Bern University of Applied Sciences and ETH Zurich, the start-up Timber Structures 3.0 AG has developed a new technology that allows timber components to be bonded on their faces. This makes point-supported, multi-axis load-bearing slabs or folded structures of any shape possible. Floor slabs can now be made of timber. The exciting text by Karin Stei shows the path from the idea to the market-ready product.
TS3 : construire en bois dans les dimensions du béton
The Tracées magazine is the French-language counterpart to the Tec21 issue, and the 01-02/2019 issue explains the revolutionary technology and shows the way to market entry in the European and American markets. The TS3 timber construction technology developed with the BFH adds a new dimension to timber construction and contributes to the achievement of climate goals. The article is only available in French.
Timber construction in the concrete dimension
Bauen&Wohnen, SonntagsZeitung 10.12.2018 - The new Timber Structures 3.0 technology (TS3) adds a new dimension to timber construction. The emergence of this groundbreaking technology and how it contributes to achieving climate targets is described in the report in the Bauen&Wohnen magazine of 10.12.2018. The new Timber Structures 3.0 technology (TS3), bonds timber components on the front side. With this technology, the first superstructures with TS3 technology are being built in Switzerland.
