Interlocking connections for bending-active timber structures with variable stiffness

Material and energy shortages make efficient material use, reuse and recycling urgent issues in 21st century construction. Wood as a renewable raw material is back in focus, with potential use in lightweight and structurally efficient gridshells. Many timber gridshells use the principle of bendingactive structural behaviour, with their shape largely determined by material and cross-sectional properties. However, commonly used timber with non-biodegradable glue and inseparable steel connections cannot be returned to the material cycle. Consequently, this challenges sustainable building practices. This paper presents a reconfigurable modular system for elastically bent solid timber laths using interlocking connections and segmented cross-sections, while providing novel design possibilities through variable stiffness. The results of the research show that circular design in bending-active timber structures can contribute to quality craftsmanship and a new language in architecture and engineering.