End colloquium Hanna Korvemaker

PLYCON: DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF A NEWLY DESIGNED TIMBER TRUSS FLOOR SYSTEM

Traditional solid sawn joists restrict the integration of transverse building services, resulting in an increased floor depth and less architectural freedom. Truss systems facilitate this integration through the open web structure.

The author developed a lightweight all-timber truss system consisting of solid timber chords and plywood diagonals. The system is manufactured by computer numerical control (cnc) machining. The connection geometry generates pressure on the adhesive layer during assembly, while friction maintains the pressure during adhesive curing.

An analytical model is developed to investigate the structural concept, and validated by experimental full-scale testing. The proposed concept offers a promising material-efficient alternative to solid sawn joists for prefabricated timber floors with integrated building services.