The German government determined demanding climate targets in the Klimaschutzplan 2050. These targets can only be met, when the building sector, as major CO₂-emitter, contributes significantly. Building with timber can be one important measure to reduce CO₂-emissions. Timber buildings store CO₂ during their life cycle. Additionally, building timber constructions emits 50 % less CO₂ compared to building similar constructions made of reinforced concrete.

The application of classical timber construction for office and administration buildings is difficult due to the arising technical requirements. This motivates the expansion and further development of hybrid and composite constructions. In the course of this research project a hybrid construction method for beams, which advantageously combines the materials timber and steel, is to be developed. The construction method is characterized by the rigid embedding of a high-strength steel profile in a compact timber cross-section.

The bond between steel and timber section can be achieved by dowel-type fasteners, adhesive bonding, mechanical interlocking or by combining the aforementioned methods. This allows an optimal utilisation of the strengths of both materials. Furthermore, the composite partners compensate the weaknesses of each other’s materials. Hence, the hybridisation allows for much wider beam spans while retaining a stout cross section.

The project’s aim is the development of a hybrid construction method. Therefore, a combination of experimental, analytical and numerical investigations on hybrid manufactured specimens are conducted. In detail, the focus areas are the following:

• Selection of fasteners, adhesives and suitable combinations of timber and steel materials
• Determination of load-bearing behaviour of varying bond designs
• Durability tests on the bond
• Experimental investigations about flexural and shear force load-bearing behaviour of hybrid timber-steel-beams
• Optimization, manufacturing recommendations and design proposals for hybrid timber-steel-beams

Das IGF-Vorhaben „21722 N / 1“, IGF-Projekt  "Holz-Stahl-Hybridbauweisen am Beispiel biegebeanspruchter Tragelemente", FOSTA-Projekt "P1537" der Forschungsvereinigung Stahlanwendung e. V. (FOSTA), Sohnstraße 65, 40237 Düsseldorf wird über die AiF im Rahmen des Programms zur Förderung der industriellen Gemeinschaftsforschung (IGF) vom Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz aufgrund eines Beschlusses des Deutschen Bundestages gefördert.