Structural Design Strategies

The necessary transformation of the construction sector towards a circular economy calls for a fundamental rethinking of how timber structures are dismantled. The currently common practice of selective demolition causes irreparable damage to building components. Their structural value is lost, and significant amounts of construction and demolition waste are generated.

Structural engineering concepts can support the reuse of linear timber elements recovered from dismantling processes. At the core of this approach is the implementation of an integrated structural methodology that enables a practical and careful dismantling process. Owing to its structural simplicity, scalability, and modularity, timber frame construction is particularly suitable for the reuse of linear elements.

This research project addresses structural uncertainties associated with the reuse of components and considers engineering constraints arising from reuse – such as limited quantities or fixed dimensions of reclaimed elements.

Reuse is understood as a plannable and integral part of the design process – and thus as a key element of a future-proof, circular construction culture.