The project entitled “Advancing mass timber and precast concrete-timber building research by multi-physics and multi-scale engineering computations and large-scale experimental studies,” led by Erick Saavedra, was awarded an ANID Technology Ring with the potential for transforming the construction industry.
“We propose to research building, wood, concrete, and hybrid structures that mix the two. Today, construction in Chile is dominated by concrete, which is highly polluting,” stated the Civil Works Engineer.
The expert also explains that there is an increasing trend, worldwide, to use wood in construction. “The concept of massive timber—about 20 cm in thickness—which has very interesting properties and involves much more sustainable construction because wood captures CO2, unlike concrete. Our proposal studies this novel construction system that combines the advantages of concrete with the benefits of wood to propose this system to the national and international industry,” he said.
The Ring is directed by Erick Saavedra (Usach) and its members are Diego Vasco (Usach), Juan Carlos Pina (Usach), Viviana Meruane (U. de Chile), and Rodolfo Venegas (UACH).
Características del Anillo Tecnológico
The first stage of this project includes large-scale computational simulations and tests, which will incorporate multiscale and multiphysics techniques.
Erick Saavedra commented , “we will carry out simulations at various levels: material, connections, structural elements and at the building level. Regarding multiphysics, it involves strong research in seismic engineering, fire simulation, acoustics and its phenomena in the building process, vibrations, and thermal behavior that occur inside these buildings are five physics that are combined.”
The researcher added that the large-scale experiments will be carried out on the seismic shaking table located at the Universidad de Santiago. “The proposal includes testing a structure of large dimensions and subjecting it to earthquakes of magnitude on our table. There will be acoustic tests, which will be carried out at the Universidad Austral, and vibration tests. All at large scale,” he emphasized.
The team director said that this type of experimentation is unprecedented, which is why it was so highly rated by international experts.
“This will reflect the dynamics of the process in a way that is very close to the real thing. It is a cutting-edge project and we believe that combining these advanced modeling techniques, plus the expertise of the entire research group, we are developing a construction system that can be very promising in Chile, where our seismic regulations are demanding,” said Saavedra.
The project has a three-year execution period and will have robust data that will provide feedback to the engineers currently working in the offices so that they can design these structures. In addition, the team has two associate researchers including Karin Saavedra (Utalca) and Viviana Letelier (UFRO), and the support of international experts.
It is important to note that there will be direct collaboration with the MINVU so that the tangible results are translated into proposals for regulations and recommendations for design and construction. Thanks to this Technological Ring we will be able to contribute to public policy in the housing sector, which is part of the mission of our university”, concluded Erick Saavedra.