RECONNECT – Efficient connections for modular prefabricated timber buildings to help reconstruction in Ukraine

The RECONNECT project aims to strengthen the research in the field of timber engineering in Ukraine, to support reconstruction work and assist transition of the construction and housing sector towards sustainability.

The project notes that the construction sector is responsible for a significant share of the greenhouse gas emissions in the world. It argues that building with timber is a key element for success in a more sustainable built environment. Moreover, it suggests that a barrier to timber construction in Ukraine is little experience with the material in high-performance structures. There is also a lack of simple connection solutions, such as prefabricated connections with bonded-in rods or bolted connections. Modular prefabrication would allow faster production and construction.

Against this background, the project will strengthen research in the field of timber engineering and support the transition towards circularity and sustainability. Among other things it will develop a novel connection system, which will be based on existing technologies. The project will validate the performance and universality of the new system. Several reports and scientific papers, as well as dissemination and course material for education will be produced.