One of the benefits of the hybrid sandwich element is its compact size. Prefabricated elements are easy to install even in construction sites where space is restricted. A hybrid of wood and concrete
The log feed control room at Rauma sawmill is the first building in Finland to use completely new hybrid-sandwich wall elements. This innovation combines the best features of wood and concrete. Together with its partners, Metsä Wood has designed a hybrid wall element for concrete manufacturers that combines concrete and Kerto® LVL. These elements are being used for the very first time in Metsä Fibre’s Rauma sawmill construction project. The Kerto® LVL panel forms the load-bearing structure in the construction of the wall ele- ment. The elements also have a layer of thermal insulation and a reinforced concrete facade panel. This means that the amount of concrete in the load-bearing wall elements is reduced by about two thirds, says Jussi Björman , Business Development Director at Metsä Wood. “A 280-square-metre building has 14 sandwich elements. Their installation does not re- quire vertical joint casting, sanding, and cleaning, which are typical phases for concrete wall elements. The entire process is faster.” The elements are also an ecological choice. In Finland, approximately one million square metres of concrete-surfaced elements are used in construction each year. If this annual vol- ume of concrete were to be replaced with hybrid elements, greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced by the equivalent of 30,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide. At the same time, the carbon sequestered by the elements would amount to an extra 95,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalents.
Hybrid elements combine the best features of wood and concrete.
Eelon Lappalainen Construction Manager, Kemi bioproduct mill project, Metsä Fibre
Jussi Björman Business Development Director, Construction, Metsä Wood
Pasi Pulkkinen VP, Land Logistics, Metsä Group
77
Powered by FlippingBook