Innovative Applications for Complex Timber Structures

In the last 10 years, wood has experienced a remarkable revival. Despite being considered a difficult material to apply in large-scale projects, high-level engineering projects, such as those we work on at SOCOTEC, have begun to develop innovative solutions for the application of wood in structures, thus making it the outstanding protagonist of numerous projects thanks to its versatility and ability to offer innovative and sustainable solutions.

Benefits of Wood Construction

As we argue, thanks to the flexibility in its use, wood is a versatile, sustainable and aesthetically appealing material. In terms of construction, it offers a multitude of benefits, including high resistance, durability and thermal and acoustic insulation. In addition, its versatility allows it to be used in a wide variety of applications in the manufacture of structures, from main to interior and exterior details.

One of the main challenges it presents as a construction material is its resistance to fire and water. Natural wood is combustible and can burn easily if not treated properly. However, through treatment processes, its fire resistance can be significantly improved, delaying ignition and reducing spread. In terms of water resistance, wood is a porous material and susceptible to deterioration caused by moisture. Still, through treatment and finishing techniques, it can be protected against excessive water absorption and the proliferation of fungus, mold, and rot. In addition, it should not be forgotten that the use of proper design techniques helps to prevent water accumulation in wooden structures and extend their service life.

If we compare wood to concrete, from a point of view of initial material costs, wood tends to be cheaper. However, this can vary depending on the type of wood used, the quality of the concrete, and other factors. On the other hand, in the construction process, concrete may require less specialized labor, but it can involve highly complex construction processes and setting time, which increases costs.

Which is cheaper a wooden or metal structure?

This is one of the first questions we get asked when starting a project. The answer can vary depending on several factors, such as geographic region, type of structure, size of the project, type of wood, or particular design specifications. However, in general, wood tends to be cheaper than metal for many construction applications.

What type of wood is used for framing?

A variety of types of wood are currently used for the realization of structures, each with its own characteristics and integral solutions to projects within the construction sector. Some of the most commonly used woods for framing include:

• Pine: Pine is a popular choice due to its availability, relatively low cost, and strength suitable for many construction applications. Commonly used types of pine include yellow pine, Oregon pine, and Douglas pine.
• Spruce: Spruce is also widely used in construction due to its strength and ability to withstand heavy loads. Douglas fir is particularly popular in this regard.
• Cedarwood: Cedar is known for its resistance to rot and insects, making it a suitable choice for exterior structural mounts, such as decks and fences. It is also used in interiors for trim and finishes.
• Oak: Oak is a hard, hard-wearing wood, making it suitable for applications where higher structural strength is required. It is commonly used in beams and columns.
• Glued laminates: These consist of layers of wood glued together to form larger, stronger beams and columns. They are used in applications where high structural strength is required, such as bridges and high-rise buildings.

It is important to select the right wood according to the specific needs of the project, taking into account factors such as the load that the structure must support, the appropriate preventive treatments, its availability. We always recommend that you study the regulations on structural wood that are permitted for use in construction.

¿Qué tipo de madera se utiliza para estructuras?

Actualmente para la realización de estructuras se utilizan una variedad de tipos de madera, cada uno con sus propias características y soluciones integrales a proyectos dentro del sector de la construcción. Algunas de las maderas más comúnmente utilizadas para estructuras incluyen:

• Pino: El pino es una opción popular debido a su disponibilidad, costo relativamente bajo y fuerza adecuada para muchas aplicaciones de construcción. Los tipos de pino comúnmente utilizados incluyen el pino amarillo, el pino oregón y el pino de Douglas.
• Abeto: El abeto también es ampliamente utilizado en la construcción debido a su resistencia y capacidad para soportar cargas pesadas. El abeto de Douglas es particularmente popular en este sentido.
• Cedro: El cedro es conocido por su resistencia a la putrefacción y los insectos, lo que lo convierte en una opción adecuada montajes estructurales exteriores, como cubiertas y cercas. También se utiliza en interiores para molduras y acabados.
• Roble: El roble es una madera dura y resistente, lo que lo hace adecuado para aplicaciones donde se requiere una mayor resistencia estructural. Se utiliza comúnmente en vigas y columnas.
• Laminados encolados: Estos consisten en capas de madera encoladas entre sí para formar vigas y columnas más grandes y más resistentes.
• Se utilizan en aplicaciones donde se requiere una alta resistencia estructural, como puentes y edificios de gran altura.

Es importante seleccionar la madera adecuada según las necesidades específicas del proyecto, teniendo en cuenta factores como la carga que la estructura debe soportar, los tratamientos preventivos adecuados, su disponibilidad. Recomendamos siempre estudiar antes la normativa de madera estructural de uso permitido en la construcción.