WOOD WISE
10 fun facts about wood
and hybrid structures
Hybrid structures combine the best properties of each material used
in construction to achieve efficient solutions for complex designs.
1 Many buildings don’t suit the ‘one size fits all’
criteria and this applies to building materials too.
Hybrid construction takes the best qualities from
each material.
2 Wood is used extensively in construction yet
sometimes it’s necessary to combine wood with
other materials such as steel or concrete to create
a hybrid structure.
3 Hybrid construction is particularly common when
building large or tall structures such as apartment
blocks, offices, visitor centres or schools to
provide extra structural support.
4 Timber engineered wood products feature heavily
in hybrid structures including Cross Laminated
Timber (CLT), Glued Laminated Timber (Glulam)
and Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL).
5 Hybrid structures often result in aesthetically
pleasing, cost effective and sustainable buildings.
Designs can be as simple or complex as needed
and hybrid construction is particularly beneficial
for more complex designs.
6 Hybrid structures are often made up of elements
constructed off site, which means faster build
times and is it well received in built up areas as it
creates less disruption, noise and mess.
7 Hybrid structures achieve structural efficiency
and often a reduction in carbon footprint. Hybrid
structures are also an economical, architectural,
sustainable and structurally feasible alternative.
Initial costs may seem high but the speed of
construction balances this out.
8
Wood is great for compression and steel is great
for tension and when combined they make an
extremely sturdy building.
46 JUNE / JULY 2019 //
By Wood for Good
Hybrid construction is common in large or tall structures.
9
10
A common use of wood in hybrid structures is a
timber roof structure on steel panels or timber
floor panels with a steel structural frame, which is
an alternative to concrete. Wood and steel can be
left exposed, creating a beautiful structure.
Wood and concrete work well together with
concrete often providing the foundations and
service core. Waste materials can be included
within concrete mix and using precast concrete
can speed up the construction process.
www.timberiq.co.za