Evaluation of joining methods for novel timber–aluminum composite profiles for innovative louver windows and facade elements

ABSTRACT

The demand for efficient buildings requires improvement in window and facade design. Aluminum and steel dominate the solutions for large facades while wood is used on a much smaller scale. In order to widen the scope of wood application in facades, this paper assessed novel timber–aluminum composite profiles which have been developed for louver windows. The research focused on two different technologies suitable for joining wood to other parts of the louver window. First, the study assessed the adhesive bond between the glass unit and the wooden part of the profile. The evaluation focused on seven different wood substrates ranging from solid softwoods and hardwoods to wood-based products and modified wood. Second, a specific rolling technique was applied to join the wooden section to the aluminum component. The technology was taken from the prefabrication process of conventional composite profiles. There, plastic insulating bars are clamped onto the aluminum profiles. This joining method had not been applied to timber so far. The results show that beech wood has the most suitable properties for use in such composite profiles. The composite frames examined provide a lower energy footprint compared to standard solutions. They enable a sustainable yet durable solution for the building envelope.

KEYWORDS:

• Timber–aluminum composite
• facade
• connections
• experimental evaluation
• sustainable construction

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Marcus Herzberg and Jan Herold from the Chair of Wood Technology and Fiber Materials Technology at Technische Universität Dresden for their valuable assistance during wood processing for the specimens.

Disclosure statement

The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy funds small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with business operations in Germany which want to develop new or significantly improve existing products, processes or technical services. Public and private non-profit research and technology organizations (RTO) act as a cooperation partner of the SMEs. This research may lead to the development of products which may be manufactured and distributed by EuroLam GmbH, in which the third author has a business and a financial interest. The fourth author is an employee of this company. I have disclosed those interests fully to Taylor & Francis, and have in place an approved plan for managing any potential conflicts arising from this arrangement.

ORCID

Felix Nicklisch http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8585-0482

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy on the basis of a decision by the German Bundestag under grant numbers KF2050213 and KF2974802.