{"id":2289,"date":"2025-03-20T01:49:23","date_gmt":"2025-03-20T00:49:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/magu-swiss.ch\/?page_id=2289"},"modified":"2025-03-29T10:23:02","modified_gmt":"2025-03-29T09:23:02","slug":"construction-engineering","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/magu-swiss.ch\/en\/bautechnik-oekobilanz\/bautechnik\/","title":{"rendered":"Construction Engineering"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nThe way buildings are constructed has changed significantly in our climate regions in recent years. Due to ever-increasing demands on building physics, the design of buildings and the construction process itself have become increasingly challenging in recent years.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n \n \n\t\n\n\n\n\"Architects\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>
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\n \n \n\t\n\n\n\n\"Cross-section\n<\/div>
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\nWood Construction\n<\/h2>
\nWooden houses have been around for hundreds of years. Yet today\u2019s wooden houses have little in common with the log cabins of the past. Today\u2019s wooden structures are highly complex constructions. The load-bearing structure consists of a wood-frame system into which windows and doors are integrated using horizontal beams. The load-bearing structure is insulated and then typically enclosed over large areas with panels.\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>
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\nAdvantages of Wood Construction\n<\/h3>
\nThe advantages of wood construction are, first and foremost, the lightweight nature of the structure, which allows for easy transport of entire wall sections and thus a high degree of prefabrication. As a result, wood construction appears at first glance to be a very fast method, since the walls only need to be assembled on the construction site. However, the short on-site assembly time is preceded by weeks of assembly on the production lines of the timber-frame manufacturers. Ultimately, this results in a waiting period for the homeowner, meaning that the purchased house cannot be occupied significantly sooner than a solid-construction house. Timber-frame construction, however, can be very well insulated.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n \n \n\t\n\n\n\n\"A\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>
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\n \n \n\t\n\n\n\n\"Illustration\n<\/div>
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\nAir Tightness Challenges in Wood Construction\n<\/h3>
\nThermal insulation is very good even in thin wooden walls. However, achieving airtightness is often a challenge, as joints and gaps are unavoidable due to the many horizontal and vertical wood joints. Air tightness is achieved through technically complex methods using interior installation panels, films, and adhesive tapes. However, this can lead to problems over time due to the aging of the adhesives and materials.\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>
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\nWood and Moisture\u2014A Critical Combination\n<\/h3>
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Wood reacts to moisture, water, and heat and continues to \u201eexpand and contract\u201c throughout its lifetime. Simple wooden beams and boards can warp and twist over time, thereby compromising the building\u2019s airtightness. User behavior also plays an important role in this regard.<\/p>\n<\/div>

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\nLong-Term Problems Caused by a Lack of Airtightness\n<\/h3>
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While homeowners may be aware of how important airtightness is to the overall structure in the early years, that awareness often fades over time.
If, after 15 years, a hole is drilled for an electrical outlet and the airtight layer is compromised, condensation can form unnoticed behind the panels in the insulation layer. This can cause serious damage not only to the structure but also to indoor air quality. Such leaks are often not noticed until the insulation and structure are damp and mold spores may already be detectable in the indoor air.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

\n \n \n\t\n\n\n\n\"Blower-door

\nWood-Based Materials and Their Susceptibility to Moisture\n<\/h3>
\n

Wood-based materials are hygroscopic, which means they absorb moisture. As a result, they are generally more susceptible to the effects of water and weather.
Facades must be planned very carefully and constructed by professionals.
Leaks around window sills, joints, or other structural components can quickly cause permanent damage to a wooden structure.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>

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\nSolid Construction\n<\/h2>
\nSolid masonry or concrete houses are, in principle, sturdier and more resistant to storms, water, and other environmental factors than wood-frame structures. As already described, sound insulation is also easier to achieve in a solid-construction house than in a lightweight wood-frame structure.
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\nThe Longevity of Solid Structures\n<\/h3>
\nOne example of durability is the Colosseum in Rome. It was completed around 70 A.D. and is made of concrete, which has thus withstood the elements for nearly 2,000 years.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n \n \n\t\n\n\n\n\"The\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>
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\nConstruction Methods and Moisture Control\n<\/h3>
\n

The weight of a solid building limits the extent to which it can be prefabricated and transported. Solid houses are usually built on-site, either by laying brick or pouring concrete. The construction phase lasts several months and is inevitably exposed to the elements, which is why the drying phase after the roof is installed can also take several months.<\/p>

At the very latest, however, by the time the electrician connects the doorbell, the house will have only a minimal amount of residual moisture left, which will disappear completely after the first heating season.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

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\nThermal Conductivity of Solid Building Materials\n<\/h3>
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Solid, heavy materials such as stone, metal, glass, concrete, or brick have a high specific density and are therefore highly thermally conductive. This means they conduct heat very well, which is undesirable in home construction, since the goal is to minimize the loss of climate-damaging and expensive energy. Nevertheless, additional insulation measures ensure maximum comfort.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

\n \n \n\t\n\n\n\n\"Thermal\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>
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\nImproved Thermal Insulation Through Porous Wall Blocks\n<\/h3>
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Over the past few decades, the stone industry has developed porous wall blocks that reduce their specific weight through air pockets and chambers and achieve better thermal insulation values.
Today, the classic hollow brick not only has many chambers that are directly visible, but beads (e.g., EPS) are also mixed into the clay-rich loam; these burn off during the firing process, thereby creating additional air pockets.
However, this porosity also makes the wall material softer, which makes it more difficult to anchor heavy objects in the masonry.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

\n \n \n\t\n\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>
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\nPreventing Heat Loss Through Insulation Measures\n<\/h3>
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Many types of masonry blocks, such as aerated concrete, pumice, or expanded clay blocks, contain as many air pockets as possible. This improves insulation performance but comes at the expense of strength and structural sound insulation.
To prevent increased heat loss in solid wall materials, an additional layer of thermal insulation is installed. This measure must be carefully planned and implemented consistently to prevent thermal bridges.<\/p>

Such thermal bridges can lead to cold spots in the house where indoor air condenses\u2014which promotes mold growth.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>

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\nThermal Bridges and Temperature Distribution in Solid-Wall Construction\n<\/h3>
\nTo reduce heat loss through solid wall materials, an additional layer of thermal insulation is installed. This measure must be carefully planned and consistently implemented to prevent thermal bridges. Thermal bridges can lead to cold spots in the house where indoor air condenses. Over time, this can contribute to mold growth.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
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\nIsotherm curve of a gable wall\n<\/h4>
\nThe following construction drawing shows the temperature ranges within the wall. Different materials and joints create temperature differences that affect thermal insulation.\n<\/div>
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\nHeat Dissipation in Masonry\n<\/h4>
\nThe masonry conducts heat not only horizontally but also vertically. As a result, the heat reaches the top of the masonry and is dissipated from the outside\u2014almost invisibly\u2014under the roof tiles. Without adequate insulation, this can lead to significant energy loss.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n \n \n\t\n\n\n\n\"Isotherm\n<\/div><\/div>
\n \n \n\t\n\n\n\n\"A\n<\/div>
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\nProblem Areas and Moisture Buildup\n<\/h4>
\nInadequate thermal insulation can lead to critical temperature differences. The thermal imaging camera clearly shows that the temperature has dropped below the critical 13\u00b0C at the corner where the roof truss meets the gable wall. Such areas are particularly prone to condensation, which can lead to moisture problems and mold growth over time.\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>
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\nHeat Storage and Indoor Climate\n<\/h3>
\n

An important advantage of solid-construction buildings is that the mass of the walls and floors stores heat, thereby ensuring a more stable indoor climate. Interior structural elements, in particular, serve this function.
The exterior components, on the other hand, act as a barrier between warm indoor air and cold outdoor air. Even with the best thermal insulation, heat flows along the temperature gradient\u2014outward in the winter.<\/p>

A cold surface does not radiate heat; instead, it draws energy from the room. Therefore, well-insulated walls are crucial to the energy efficiency of a solid-construction house.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

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\nAir Tightness and Long-Term Benefits\n<\/h3>
\n

It is easier to ensure a building\u2019s airtightness in solid-wall houses than in wood-frame structures. Because of the homogeneous wall construction, weak spots and defects become apparent more quickly and can be corrected, ensuring that the building\u2019s structure remains intact over the long term.<\/p>

Well-built, insulated, solid-construction houses have a service life of many decades.<\/p>\n<\/div>

\n \n \n\t\n\n\n\n
\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n Chapter 5: MAGU Building System<\/span>\n\n \n \n <\/a>\n\n \n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>
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\nConstruction Technology & Life Cycle Assessment \u2013 Our Key Topics\n<\/h2>
\n \n \n\t\n\n\n\n
\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n Chapter 1: Why Do We Build Houses?<\/span>\n\n \n \n <\/a>\n\n \n\n\n<\/div>
\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n Chapter 2: Sound Insulation<\/span>\n\n \n \n <\/a>\n\n \n\n\n<\/div>
\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n Chapter 3: Thermal Insulation <\/span>\n\n \n \n <\/a>\n\n \n\n\n<\/div>
\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n Chapter 4: Construction Technology<\/span>\n\n \n \n <\/a>\n\n \n\n\n<\/div>
\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n Chapter 5: MAGU Building System <\/span>\n\n \n \n <\/a>\n\n \n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n \n \n\t\n\n\n\n
\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n Chapter 6: Life Cycle Assessment of MAGU <\/span>\n\n \n \n <\/a>\n\n \n\n\n<\/div>
\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n Chapter 7: Neopor as a Raw Material <\/span>\n\n \n \n <\/a>\n\n \n\n\n<\/div>
\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n Chapter 8: Fire Safety <\/span>\n\n \n \n <\/a>\n\n \n\n\n<\/div>
\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n Chapter 9: About Us<\/span>\n\n \n \n <\/a>\n\n \n\n\n<\/div>
\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n\n \n Chapter 10: In 40 Years\u20141.2 Million Square Meters of MAGU Wall <\/span>\n\n \n \n <\/a>\n\n \n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Die Art, Geb\u00e4ude zu bauen, hat sich in unseren Klimaregionen in den letzten Jahren ganz wesentlich gewandelt. Durch die st\u00e4ndig wachsenden Anforderungen an die Bauphysik ist das Planen von Geb\u00e4uden und das Bauen selbst in den letzten Jahren immer anspruchsvoller geworden. Holzbau H\u00e4user aus Holz gibt es schon seit Hunderten von Jahren. Dennoch haben heutige […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2291,"parent":2150,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_breakdance_hide_in_design_set":false,"_breakdance_tags":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[116],"class_list":["post-2289","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-bautechnik-oekobilanz"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/magu-swiss.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2289","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/magu-swiss.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/magu-swiss.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magu-swiss.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magu-swiss.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2289"}],"version-history":[{"count":33,"href":"https:\/\/magu-swiss.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2289\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3438,"href":"https:\/\/magu-swiss.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2289\/revisions\/3438"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magu-swiss.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2150"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magu-swiss.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2291"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/magu-swiss.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2289"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magu-swiss.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2289"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/magu-swiss.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2289"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}