Material and Structure

The seminar is intended to substantially prepare students for the appropriate, efficient, and low-emission application of construction materials in structures.
Understanding the properties, load-bearing behaviour, and performance of structural materials such as concrete, steel, and timber, as well as composite materials, masonry, glass, and bio- or geo-based materials such as natural stone and clay, enables their intentional and effective use in architectural and structural design.
Manufacturing processes will be examined to understand the embodied carbon (GWP) of each material, and the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) method will be introduced to quantify the whole-life carbon of materials and structures. Principles of lightweight construction are studied to design components such as slabs and columns, as well as long-span structures like trusses and shells, with minimal material use, low emissions, and high structural performance.
Through practical design exercises, students develop structural solutions combining low material and resource consumption with high load-bearing capacity. Timber is examined in depth, with a particular focus on the material, resource, and emission efficiency of various engineered wood products. To use timber in an ecologically beneficial way, it is essential to understand the resource and emission flow along the lifecycle of wood.

The Method of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is used to evaluate the emission efficiency of materials and to determine the design option with the lowest ecological impact.
The basics of the method and practical application of LCA software are covered in the seminar Material & Structure.

The seminar can be completed in teams of two. In October, a one-day excursion will introduce students to key stages of the timber value chain, from raw material sourcing to processing and product manufacturing.