Wood Composite Materials
winter semester | 2020/21
supervision | Prof. Dr.-Ing. Julian Lienhard
research associate | M.Sc. Felix Kallwies
The research project "TETHOK - Textile Tectonics for Wood Construction" conducted at the University of Kassel has made it possible to produce a gradable composite material from a continuous wood fibre and a plastic matrix with the help of a new type of composite material. For the first time, mechanical properties (stiffness, strength) as well as architectural requirements (appearance, haptics) of wooden components can be locally adjusted and controlled using additive manufacturing options.
Track A (Research)
Textile building materials as well as fibre-reinforced plastics have already been widely researched. Particularly in lightweight construction, materiality and design are decisive for the efficiency of the structure. Shape-active and bend-active load-bearing structures are also known from timber construction as high-performance systems. The aim of the master's thesis is to define areas of application at the building level for the new wood composite material with the help of a systematic investigation.
Track B (Design Research)
Shell constructions have always been a very material-efficient supporting structure. Especially in the early days of reinforced concrete construction, numerous shells and buoys were made of this material. This construction principle had also been used in boat building before. A few decades later, however, the principle was superseded by alternative construction methods. The aim of this master's thesis is to analyse the historical load-bearing structures and to work out the construction and design principles for the new wood fibre composite material. Finally, the elaborated construction principles are to be implemented in a design suitable for the material. Own ideas and approaches are desired for the design.
