29th Timber Construction Statics Regulars’ Table & 7th Timber Building Physics Regulars’ Table – November 14, 2023 TU Vienna

On Tuesday, November 14, 2023, the 29th Holzbau-Statiker-Stammtisch took place at the TU Vienna at the Arsenal site. This time it was entitled “Elastic bearings in timber construction – static and building physics considerations”. This time, the regulars’ table of timber construction structural engineers was held together with the 7th timber construction physics regulars’ table, which contributed to a very interesting, varied and, above all, important interdisciplinary discussion.

With 48 participants, including 33 structural engineers and 15 building physicists, the event was once again very well attended. The lively participation demonstrated the great interest in the topics of timber construction, structural design and building physics.

The regulars’ table began in the early afternoon with a guided tour by DI Dr. Maximilian Neusser (TU Vienna) and his colleagues through the test bench for building physics (sound insulation) and building ecology. The informative guided tours were followed by four presentations by experts in the field. Dr. Maximilian Neusser from the Institute of Materials Technology, Building Physics and Building Ecology at the Vienna University of Technology opened the series with his lecture “Sound insulation in timber construction: fundamentals, normative approaches, current research and publications”. As is usual at a regulars’ table, there was already intensive discussion here. DI Alexander Stenitzer from Holzforschung Austria then focused on the topic of “Flank transfer in solid timber and timber frame construction”.

The break between the second and third presentations allowed participants to engage in an intensive exchange and in-depth discussions on the topics presented. It became clear that building physics and structural design often pursue opposing goals, especially when it comes to statics and sound insulation. On the other hand, to achieve a good timber construction, one is not possible without the other. As a result, an interesting dynamic developed to start the third lecture.

DI Martin Burgschwaiger from ConLignum ZT GmbH and DI (FH) Christian Staffl from Zwittlinger & Staffl Engineering OG jointly presented the third lecture entitled “Elastic bearings from a static and building physics perspective using the example of the Hotel zum Hirschen in Salzburg”. This interdisciplinary presentation made it clear that even if statics and sound insulation seem to be opposites in terms of consideration, with good cooperation between the specialist planners and experts it is possible to find solutions that are acceptable to both sides, but also compromises that can be implemented in practice.

Dr. Jörg Koppelhuber repeatedly addressed the topic of costs in combination with other construction industry and implementation-related topics between the presentations. His insights and points of discussion – particularly on the subject of tendering in timber construction (KOPPELHUEBR² und Partner is responsible for the entire tendering process for the Hotel zum Hirschen project presented) – helped to shed light on various perspectives in relation to the economic aspects of timber construction.

Finally, Dr. Bernd Nusser from Holzforschung Austria gave an insight into the topic “Methodology of flank evaluation for impact sound transmission” as well as an outlook on the new ÖNORM B 8115-4 and what can be expected in it.

The various presentations not only offered insights into current research areas and exemplary interdisciplinary cooperation in a large-volume timber construction project, but also stimulated intensive discussions and interpretations. The 29th edition of the Holzbau-Statiker-Stammtisch and the 7th edition of the Holz-Bauphysik-Stammtisch were characterized by the multifaceted perspectives, contributions and insights of the participating structural engineers and building physicists, which enabled a very enriching exchange.

As usual, the lively participation of the participants was followed by an informal exchange over the buffet, which concluded the evening in a pleasant atmosphere. The regulars’ table once again proved to be a very important platform for networking experts at practitioner level and for exchanging knowledge in the field of timber construction at a high level.