Page 41 - European Energy Innovation - summer 2019 publication

Summer 2019 European Energy Innovation 41

TIMBER BUILDINGS

ACOST network’s findings
on innovations in timber
construction are being used
to update European building
standards for this climate-friendly
material. Collaboration between
researchers and industry participants
is fostering wider use of wood-based
building.

The COST Action ‘Basis of Structural Metropol Parasol, Sevilla by Dr Philipp Dietsch
Timber Design – from research to opposite: Mjostarnet, in Brumundal, Norway by from Prof. Stefan Winter
standards’ published comprehensive
scientific evidence and harmonised
construction methods for
recent novelties in timber-based
construction. It did so in four reports,
on design basics, cross-laminated
timber, connections and timber
concrete composite structures. A
special edition of the scientific journal
Engineering Structures summarised
further evidence in 21 articles by
network participants.

These publications are being used “The publication of an agreed set Action has created a community
to update Eurocode 5, the European of recommendations from experts that can more efficiently promote
standard for the design of timber representing many EU member states and improve construction
structures, as part of a general should facilitate early integration in with wood.
revision. Action members came from design standards.”
31 countries, 27 in the EU. “We were able to strengthen the
Climate-friendly construction European community of timber
“We created a shared understanding Part of the urgency is that the EU has construction specialists and establish
of how to use these products. This ambitious targets to reduce carbon strong bonds between industry and
is crucial for the acceptance of the emissions by 40 % of 1990 levels academia, both key factors in order
revised standard,” says its Chair, by 2030 and by 80-95 % by 2050. to seize the opportunities for timber
Dr.-Ing. Philipp Dietsch of the Construction produces over a third of construction in Europe”
Technical University of Munich the EU’s CO2 emissions.
in Germany. Already, the network has led to seven
As a store of CO2 and using less new projects, including two funded
The update could make new types CO2-intensive materials such as by the European Commission’s H2020
of timber structures possible, such concrete and steel, timber programme.
as high-rise buildings, Dietsch buildings can help to reduce
explains. The last revision of the these emissions. These include INCEPTION which
standards was 20 years ago. Since realises innovation in 3D modelling
then, the sector has seen a raft “Climate change means that interest of cultural heritage and PRO-GET-
of innovations, including cross- in timber engineering is on the rise. ONE, Proactive synergy for Greater
laminated timber, novel screwed We don’t have time to duplicate Efficiency On buildings’ Envelopes.
connections and timber concrete research,” says Dietsch.
composites. Additionally, three early-stage
With 30% of participants from researchers have found positions as
“They have to become part of timber construction industries, this Professor through the network. l
standards so engineers and
companies can use them. This was a View the Action: https://www.cost.eu/actions/FP1402
‘now or never’ chance for this Action,” View the Network website: www.costfp1402.tum.de
says Dietsch.

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