A research project undertaken on behalf of timber frame manufacturers, Oregon Timber Frame in collaboration with Napier University, Cullen Building Products and ETA Fixings, has helped a new graduate to scoop a major industry award.
Kenneth Leitch BSc (Hons), gained second place in the 2008 'TRADA Timber in Construction Student Prize' for his research into timber-to-concrete dowel connectors. The prize, supported by wood for good, recognises excellence and innovation in the use of timber in construction amongst university students of engineering and architecture.
Part of a larger research project looking at optimising hybrid racking panels, Kenneth’s project centred on the performance of dowel-type fasteners to connect the timber sole plate to a concrete substrate in timber frame construction.
The research underpinning the prize-winning work assessed the performance of a range of dowel-type fasteners and analysed the influencing factors of timber to concrete connections, while aiming to gain a better understanding of the behaviour of sole plate connections under load.
Dr Hugh Mansfield Williams, technical manager, engineering & product services at TRADA Technology, said the impact of the project would be important for the timber frame industry.
"It also provided complementary information to that contained in Eurocode 5 for timber to steel connections,” he said. “The winning entries will open up important avenues in development and design.”
Oregon Timber Frame’s technical director, Robin Dodyk explained the benefits of this involvement: “We have an on-going commitment to R&D, and are dedicated to providing engineering-based solutions to the timber frame industry. Our involvement in the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) has revolutionised our site practices, and research projects such as this one are providing us with innovative solutions to design challenges.
"When the housing market recovery begins, customers will be looking for speed, efficiency and innovation, and thanks to our substantial involvement with R&D, we will be in a very strong position to meet those demands.”
Mr Leitch is now taking his findings forward to complete his PhD. He was presented with his award on TRADA's stand within the Timber Zone at Interbuild, at the NEC in Birmingham, at the end of October.
