New solutions for complex connections

The automated production of large-scale and complex load-bearing timber structures is a growing trend. This places new demands on connections between individual timber parts. At a two-day workshop, experts discussed the issue and drew up new solutions.

The event was organised by the Bern University of Applied Sciences where Christophe Sigrist is conducting part of the NRP 66 project "Robot-assisted assembly of complex timber structures". The presentations and discussions showed that there is real potential in glued timber connections. But their success will depend on more efficient assembly and further technological and financial improvements. Questions regarding industrial production will be discussed at a further workshop at the EPFL on 6 April 2016.