Građevinski fakultet - News

WENUS Workshop: Advancing Wood Education for Sustainable Construction

Obrisani Korisnik — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 09:08:56 GMT

We are delighted to share that our team member Jelena Galić recently participated in the workshop of the WENUS – Wood Education for Sustainable Construction project, held on 27th May 2026 in Izola, Slovenia.
The workshop brought together experts and enthusiasts working to integrate wood construction and circular economy principles into modern education. Among the highlights was a hands-on demonstration of 3D printing of timber models — a technology opening exciting new possibilities in both education and construction.
Jelena returned with valuable insights and fresh inspiration, reinforcing our commitment to green skills and digital innovation as key drivers of a more sustainable future.
A big thank you to the organizers at InnoRenew CoE for a wonderfully organized event!
Hrvatska zaklada za znanost (Croatian Science Foundation)

Experimental Assessment of Interlocking DLT Structural Elements

Obrisani Korisnik — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 09:05:42 GMT

We continue to deepen our understanding of timber-to-timber connections using wooden dowels while expanding our database of tested structural specimens.
This time, we tested an innovative type of DLT beams and columns in which the timber lamellae feature regularly spaced interlocking notches that enhance the stiffness of the element. As a result, the relative slip between the lamellae was significantly reduced, leading to improved composite action and a higher maximum load capacity.
We also tested conventional full cross-section beams and columns, manufactured from timber of the same quality, as a control group. These tests will provide valuable insight into how our innovative DLT elements perform compared with the solid timber elements commonly used in industry.
Tests were run in the laboratory of Faculty of Civil Engineering, Osijek
Hrvatska zaklada za znanost (Croatian Science Foundation) project ECO-WOOD Structures Without Adhesives and Metal Connectors)

Yield moment of hardwood dowels

Obrisani Korisnik — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 09:00:48 GMT

The performance of timber joints depends on both the strength of the connectors and the strength of the connected members. Alongside the embedment strength of timber lamellae, the yield moment of the connectors is a key parameter in the design and analysis of timber connections.
As the next step in our research, we investigated the yield moment of hardwood dowels with different diameters and lengths. The results will provide valuable input for numerical modelling and contribute to the development of analytical methods for the design and calculation of such connections.
Our goal is to deepen our understanding of timber-to-timber connections using hardwood dowels as connectors and to support the advancement of efficient and sustainable timber engineering solutions.

Tests were run in the laboratory of Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Zagreb.
Hrvatska zaklada za znanost (Croatian Science Foundation) project ECO-WOOD Structures Without Adhesives and Metal Connectors)

Experimental Analysis of DLT Beams

Obrisani Korisnik — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 08:57:48 GMT

Timber structural elements are gaining increasing importance as the construction industry moves towards more sustainable and environmentally responsible building practices. The structural behavior of timber elements connected with wooden dowels is strongly influenced by the method of lamellae connection.
Our experimental research journey of DLT structural elements continues with simply supported beams. To date, several test series have been carried out, focusing on the optimization of dowel diameter, spacing, and installation method.
The experimental results show satisfying correlation with the initial analytical calculations.
Tests were run in the laboratory of Faculty of Civil Engineering, Osijek.
We thank Professors Jurko Zovkić and Damir Varevac for their valuable collaboration in conducting this research.

Hrvatska zaklada za znanost (Croatian Science Foundation) project ECO-WOOD Structures Without Adhesives and Metal Connectors)

Experimental Analysis of DLT Columns

Obrisani Korisnik — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 08:53:15 GMT

Our path toward fully sustainable construction continues with the experimental investigation of DLT columns.
Columns, as fundamental linear structural elements, are widely used in structural design. To ensure viability of DLT in the industry, design guidelines must be clear, reliable, and easy to apply.
The tested columns differed in their lamella connection parameters, which had a significant influence on their structural behavior and ultimate load capacity. DLT columns are presented as a promising structural solution, offering considerably greater flexibility in cross-sectional design compared to solid timber members.
Further experimental studies will focus on quantifying the influence of individual lamella connection parameters.
Tests were run in the laboratory of Faculty of Civil Engineering, Osijek.

Hrvatska zaklada za znanost (Croatian Science Foundation) project ECO-WOOD Structures Without Adhesives and Metal Connectors)

Embedment Strength of Wooden Dowel Connections

Obrisani Korisnik — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 08:53:02 GMT

When designing timber structures with wooden fasteners, a deep understanding of fastener behaviour is essential. For this reason, our work begins with experimental investigation of the embedment strenght in connections with wooden dowels.
Since Eurocode 5 does not provide specific design rules for connections of timber elements with wooden dowels, it is necessary to develop correction formulas based on existing guidelines for connections using metal fasteners.
The data obtained through this research will be highly valuable for the calculation and numerical modelling of timber beam and plate elements in the years to come.
Tests were run in the laboratory of Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Zagreb.

The accompanying video is available on our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/eco-wood-structures_circual-reduce-reuse-ugcPost-7419345726284988417-BEU6?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAEqvFbsBpTNX7pwRuUrCdltpOvFlBK-9ziQ.

Detailed results and analysis can be found in our article published in the Forests MDPI: https://lnkd.in/dF_FcJc2.

Hrvatska zaklada za znanost (Croatian Science Foundation) project ECO-WOOD Structures Without Adhesives and Metal Connectors)