Kompetenz Tragstrukturen

In the dynamic environment of structural engineering, we develop solutions for the design, the development, the analytical and numerical verification and the experimental investigation of load-bearing structures.

We work with all construction methods and materials: wood, steel, steel- and fibre-reinforced concrete as well as composite materials.

Institute for Timber Construction, Structures and Architecture IHTA

We conduct research into innovative, resource-conserving and energy-efficient buildings, and support you from the building design phase through to construction and redevelopment.

Service portfolio

We offer custom-tailored solutions and support you in all matters relating to building materials, statics and building physics. We examine components as well as supporting structures and accompany you from the structural analysis to the development of system solutions:

Research projects commissioned by companies and institutions
Technology developments tailored to the size of the company (from micro-enterprises to industrial companies)
Support in applying for research funding from national and international funding organisations (including Innosuisse, FOEN, Horizon 2020, M-ERA.NET)
Materials testing ((Link auf ID 631_Prüfdienstleistung Werkstoffe))
Component tests and experimental investigations on load-bearing structures ((Link auf ID 637_Prüfdienstleistung Tragstrukturen))
Assessment of the condition of structures ((Link auf ID 730_Prüfdienstleistung Zustandserfassung))
Numerical modelling and optimisation
Consultancy and expert appraisals

Training and continuing education

We are heavily involved in teaching and continuing education. We supervise students’ projects and theses. We also frequently engage master’s students as assistants in research projects. In this way, we contribute to training the experts of the future.

We have connections with the following academic programmes and courses of continuing education:

Knowledge and technology transfer

We aim to transfer all non-confidential research into practice. To this end, we hold events and lectures, write specialist articles, conduct tours, organise workshops, and present our results at trade fairs.

Holzbautag Biel 2023

Areas of expertise

Besides our areas of technical expertise, we are distinguished by our close connections to the industry, to standardisation organisations, public institutions and associations, and to international research networks.
We possess interdisciplinary expertise extending across all materials. In our activities, we also consider new kinds of building materials such as ultra-high performance fibre-reinforced concrete (UHFB), textile-reinforced concrete and the composite and hybrid construction of steel, concrete and wood.

Our areas of expertise include:

Knowledge of materials (wood, steel, reinforced concrete, composite materials)
Earthquake engineering
Structural engineering
Building physics

Institute for Timber Construction, Structures and Architecture IHTA

Load-bearing structures are one of the key areas of focus of the Institute for Timber Construction, Structures and Architecture IHTA. At the IHTA we focus on innovative, resource-saving and energy-efficient buildings. We support you from the design to the constructional implementation to the built environment.
Other key areas of focus:

Infrastructure

Well-equipped laboratories ensure the proficient handling of service and development orders.

Universal testing machines with maximum forces of 2.5kN to 250kN
Compression testing machine 5MN for storey columns and other components
Test rig with 2 x 400kN, 1 x 1000kN for biaxial tests on wall panels and any configurations
Compression/tension testing machine 600kN for boards and laminations, etc.
Various types of measurement technology

Analysis software: