Tragwerke - Verbindungselemente Fertigteile
Bewehrungssystem
Brueckenermuedung

Structures - efficient and sustainable 

At the competence center, we develop and assess load-bearing structures across a broad range of construction materials—ranging from reinforced and prestressed concrete and structural masonry to earth-based building materials and composite structures such as timber–concrete composites. The aim is to deliver efficient, safe, and resource-efficient solutions for new construction and existing structures.

research topics

Reinforcement systems

The Competence Center develops novel reinforcement systems for its customers with the aim of preventing brittle failure increasing the deformation capacity of reinforced and prestressed concrete components. Moreover, this is combined with the possibility of verification in large-scale tests.

Querkraftdorne

Structural connections for precast reinforced concrete construction

Our experts at the Competence Center for Building Envelopes and Civil Engineering develop customized application-oriented structural connections for use in precast slabs and columns  as well as with in-situ concrete, and optimize these for the construction industry.

Softwarelösungen, Finite Element

Analyses and software solutions

A broad range of numerical calculation programs are employed and developed at the Competence Center for Building Envelopes and Civil Engineering to investigate and simulate the load-bearing behavior and serviceability of complex structures and structural systems.

Lehmbau

Think Earth – Regenerative Construction

The Innosuisse-funded flagship project Think Earth investigates innovative structural solutions using timber and clay to minimise resource use and energy demand across the entire life cycle. ETH, Empa, HSLU, BFH, OST, and over 40 industry partners are developing approaches in ten sub-projects—ranging from timber recycling and industrial clay-based materials to hybrid timber–clay construction. HSLU focuses on clay construction and aims to become a competence centre for earth-based materials, conducting research on material properties, structural fundamentals, and new design and verification methods. Pilot projects such as the Manal Pavilion on the HSLU campus in Horw highlight the potential of these technologies for climate-neutral construction.

Biegeversuch am HBV

Holz-Beton-Verbundkonstruktionen

As part of an Innosuisse project, a timber–concrete composite floor slab with precast concrete elements is being developed using a mechanical shear connector. The screwed connector enables non-destructive disassembly of the individual elements and thus the reuse of entire components—going far beyond mere material recycling. In line with circular-economy principles, the parts can be easily dismantled and repurposed.