PureWood: Towards sustainable, adhesive-free timber beams using mechanical connectors

To advance sustainable, healthier, and circular timber construction, this project develops mechanical beam connection systems using X-shaped hardwood shear connectors and micro-notches, validated through testing to inform structural performance and design development.

Key data

Description

This project addresses a challenge in engineered timber construction: many high-performance beams rely on adhesives or metal fasteners, which can limit recyclability and raise concerns about sustainability and health.

It develops mechanical beam connection systems with X-shaped shear connectors made of hardwood and optional micro-grooves for shear transfer between the timber layers, thus reducing dependence on adhesives.

The concept was experimentally validated, including large-scale four-point bending tests, to quantify stiffness, load-bearing capacity, and key failure mechanisms, and to derive the next optimization steps for practical application in building construction.

In addition to the project team listed below, ZHAW student Ismael Kagny also contributed to the project.