For the construction of its new headquarters, LIGNOTREND envisioned a structural design featuring continuous cross-laminated timber (CLT) columns and primary beams whose depth would not exceed that of the overlying LIGNOTREND floor elements. To connect the columns with the horizontally installed primary beams, the client opted for a custom-engineered solution from KNAPP Connectors.

As no standardized connector solution was available on the market that could ensure reliable load transfer while accommodating the limited cross-sectional depth, KNAPP developed a series connector solution specifically for this application.

The solution is based on the RICON® S 140/60 VS connector combined with welded connection rails and supplemented by horizontal and diagonal screw connections for additional load transfer. By coupling four to five individual connectors and the associated screw connections, connector assemblies measuring 570 mm in width and 220 mm in height were created, achieving more than four to five times the load-bearing capacity of a single connector. The length of the connector assemblies was specifically designed to ensure that the applied loads are transferred evenly from top to bottom.

Almost complete: the LIGNOTREND headquarters. The timber frame structure combines columns and primary beams with a depth of just 220 mm, with the floor elements installed between them.

All primary beams were prefabricated in the factory and simply installed on site. In addition to the custom connector solution, the LIGNOTREND headquarters also incorporates MEGANT® and RICON® S connectors, depending on the structural requirements.

As the primary beams are wider than the columns, they project beyond them on both sides. The resulting gaps at the narrow faces of the columns were subsequently covered with timber planks.

Simply hook in and the connection is complete. Once installed, the connector is completely concealed from view.

The 800 mm-wide and 222 mm-deep primary beams were connected to the continuous columns, measuring just 725 mm in width and 200 mm in thickness, using the RICON® S Series Connectors. As the primary beams are wider than the columns, they project beyond them on both sides. The resulting gaps at the narrow faces of the columns were subsequently covered with timber planks. The LIGNOTREND floor elements were suspended in rebates in the primary beams and secured with fully threaded screws.

All visible timber surfaces, both those of the floor elements and those of the load-bearing structure, are uniformly finished in silver fir. In addition to the custom connector solution, the headquarters also incorporates KNAPP MEGANT® and RICON® S connectors where required, enabling fast and efficient connections between the various structural components.

With this design, LIGNOTREND, a manufacturer of intelligent, multifunctional cross-laminated timber (CLT) elements that provide effective solutions for a wide range of construction applications, demonstrates its corporate philosophy through its own headquarters building. The custom-engineered KNAPP solution plays a key role in making this vision a reality.

„The RICON® S Series Connectors enabled us to connect the primary beams, limited to a depth of just 220 mm by architectural and building services requirements, to the continuous columns in an optimal way,“ summarizes Alexander Villinger, Dipl.-Ing. (FH), Head of Structural Engineering at LIGNOTREND

The RICON® S Series Connectors are based on the RICON® S 140/60 VS connector with welded connection rails and are supplemented by horizontal and diagonal screw connections for additional load transfer.

By combining several individual connectors into a series connector assembly and integrating the screw connections, connector units measuring 570 mm in width and 220 mm in height were created.

Together, the series connector assemblies provide more than four to five times the load-bearing capacity of a single connector.