RESEARCH

The project currently underway in Rossinière is the result of a multi-year partnership between the Ibois laboratory and the Pays d’Enhaut.
The first part, upstream of the project, concerns the study of the wood resource in the Commune of Rossinière through 3 different aspects: research into the development of the local industry, a survey of the available material and a mechanical analysis of the species present.
Initial investigations are being carried out with the aim of revitalizing the local timber industry by using and optimizing resources, but above all by promoting short circuits. The tools we have developed are designed to enable us to work with local players, using manufacturing processes that match the resources available to small and medium-sized businesses.
A survey of the resources available for construction was then carried out, taking into account the different current functions of the forest. In addition to data on volumes, species and skidding methods for all potentially usable areas, field surveys were carried out using 3D scanning to obtain tree geometries.
Finally, tests were carried out to gain an insight into the mechanical properties of certain local species, such as white fir or spruce, using non-destructive ultrasonic technology (SylvaTest TRIO). The results cannot define a strength class for all boards from these species, as the variability of the material is very great and can be influenced by many factors, but they do serve as an indicator of possible strengths and thus guide further investigations.

To date, Ibois has carried out research on assemblies using engineered products such as laminated veneer lumber (LVL) and cross-laminated timber (CLT). The partnership with the commune of Rossinière is an opportunity to develop new research into the use of solid wood, taking into account its great variability and anisotropic characteristics, in order to implement research into connection types. Based on the results obtained previously, new geometries are being developed and tested in prototype form, to enable the future creation of complex structures using local resources. These investigations enable us to experiment with design, manufacturing and sizing methods, as well as testing the sealing and insulation potential of such structures.

PROJECT DATA

Location: Rossinière, Switwerland
Client: InfraRoss SA
Architect: Yves Weinand Architectes, Lausanne
Structural engineering: Bureau d’Etude Weinand, Liège
Timber engineering: Bureau d’Etude Weinand, Liège
Technological transfer: IBOIS EPFL, Prof. Yves Weinand, Dr Petras Vestartas