Massive versus lightweight construction in residential building

Masonry as the primary form of construction is currently the most economic option for the building of multi‐storey apartment blocks in Germany in order to provide affordable housing. It can however also be stated that there is definitely further rationalisation potential in masonry construction, in contrast to lightweight construction. In comparison to masonry construction, lightweight building methods show no apparent economic advantages, the ecological balance is objectively equivalent and the fire protection and sound insulation properties have to be provided technically and constructively at high cost in order to comply with the same requirements. Under consideration of a realistic and objective assessment, there is therefore no reason to promote the use of lightweight building methods, such as timber‐frame, from their current status as niche products, especially for residential building.     

Limitation of cracking in AAC masonry under the window zone

The article describes the results of tests on the impact of reinforcement on the appearance of cracks and on the manner of damage to masonry under the window zone. Masonry made of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete units with thin layer mortar was tested. Eight unreinforced test specimens (two series) and four series of test specimens (12 specimens) with reinforcement in the bed joints were subject to testing. Two types of reinforcement were used in the tests. It is demonstrated that the reinforcement has a significant impact on the level of cracking stress and propagation of cracks. It was found that when a pillar is correctly designed, cracks should not occur in the masonry under the window zone.     

Loadbearing capacity of infill masonry walls considering the deformation‐based membrane effect

According to currently valid codes, it is not possible to determine the loadbearing capacity of unreinforced infill walls considering the deformation‐based membrane effect by incorporating the exact support conditions. One reason for this is the lack of a validated calculation procedure, which in addition to the equilibrium conditions also realistically represents the compatibility conditions of these systems. In the present paper, therefore, a new non‐linear analytical calculation procedure is presented. The main focus of the analysis of walls subject to area loading is the incorporation of the support conditions and thus the consideration of the deformation‐based membrane compressive force. Through generalised formulation and a standardised notation of the determination equations, different material behaviours and various support conditions can be taken into account with few parameters. On the action side, both lighter loading like wind loads and heavier loading like explosion loads can be considered. Through the implementation of the partial factor concept, it is possible to comply with the requirements of European codes and thus ensure the applicability of the analysis model.     

Modularisierung von Gaswäschern für die CO2‐Entfernung aus Biogas

Modularization has been identified as one of the research fields of the ?50 % idea”?. A development methodology for modules must consider both the economies of scale for investment costs and costs of operation and maintenance. In this paper, the impact of an absorber module, which is offered as discretized diameter scaling, on the total process is investigated at the example of the CO₂ separation from biogas. The simulation shows the effect of this approach to the stripper diameter and the energy demand of the process. The calculations form the basis for applying cost models.     

Gesteckt und gestapelt – Der Werkhof Andelfingen (CH) als moderner Industrie‐Strickbau

Plugged and stacked – the maintenance depot in Andelfingen (CH) as a modern industrial log construction In 2015 a new maintenance depot for utility vehicles was built in Andelfingen (Canton Zurich). The building is 16.50 m wide and 30 m long with a height of 8 m and was supposed to be constructed in wood. Referring to the simpilicity of an assembly set, planar components have been developed for the roof and the walls integrating both the load bearing structure and the building envelope and allowing for a simple and fast assembly. This was possible because of modern industrial fabrication techniques which allow to transfer the traditional log construction to a large scale industrial building type. The process of stacking and plugging 2 m high laminated timber components with the length of the entire building, the slotting of the roof beams into the wall and the multilayer board on top rendered possible a timber building with only a few additional iron fasteners put together in only 4 d. Only through close cooperation of architects, engineers and contractors a strong relation of the building material, the construction principle, the building structure and its architectural expression is achieved.