Rethinking elastic timber gridshells

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Abstract

This work presents an innovative construction concept for timber gridshells, integrating active bending, CNC fabrication and carpentry joints, using high-performance Eucalyptus globulus LVL. This engineered wood product enables a fast and dry bending process. The research focuses on material properties, connection system and meshing strategies, all of which are explored and discussed in relation to existing timber gridshells. The curving capacity of the new product is first evaluated through mechanical flatwise bending tests. Next, an innovative connection system concept is presented, offering a comprehensive solution for the nodal joint and the multilayer system, by means of a CNC carpentry design that harmonises structural performance, aesthetic appearance and ease of assembly and disassembly. Some geometric explorations are further introduced to generate orthogonal patterns compatible with the proposed joint solution. The successful realisation of several models underlines the potential of this approach for the construction of elastic timber gridshells.

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