Load Bearing Timber Glass Composites

Important results from the project

The project has developed and tested load-bearing glass/wood constructions in the form of beams and shear walls. Initial material requirements and design specifications have been established for the constructions, and both physical and virtual prototypes have been produced and demonstrated. The project results have also been communicated through articles and conference papers. A completely developed building system has not been reached, but the remaining subjects to investigate before introducing load-bearing glass/wood structures on the market have been identified.

Expected long term effects

The project has produced the following results: -Developed concepts for load-bearing glass/wood structures in the form of shear walls and beams -Material specifications of the components glass, wood and glue -Initial design specifications for load-bearing beams and shear walls -A prototype of load bearing shear walls with integrated insulating glass -A virtual 3D model that demonstrates the application of load-bearing glass/wood shear walls in houses -Identification of remaining subjects to investigate before introduction of the products on the market

Approach and implementation

The Swedish project group was led by Glafo and also included Linnaeus University (LNU) and five industrial companies working in the glass, wood, glue and construction sectors. The companies have actively participated in developing a new concept for load-bearing glass/wood shear walls and beams. They also produced the prototype that was demonstrated at the Glasstec fair and developed a virtual 3D model. LNU has tested and analysed the concepts through small and large scale testing as well as numerical modelling. The group has jointly helped with the dissemination of project results.