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  • Wohnraum für kinderreiche Familien

    Im Basler Quartier St. Johann ist ein Familienhaus entstanden, das speziell auf die Bedürfnisse von Grossfamilien ausgerichtet ist. Wir waren mit dem Rückbau der auf dem Areal befindlichen Werkstattgebäude sowie mit der Tragwerksplanung des Neubaus inkl. Baugrubensicherung beauftragt.

    Familienhaus Lothringerplatz
    © Beat Ernst, Basel
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  4. Support Structures

Support Structures

We design supporting structures made of concrete, steel, wood and masonry for almost all types of buildings and carry out structural verifications, expert reports and structural repairs for you.

We collaborate with architects to develop innovative and functional bearing structures, including offices, terraced houses, hospitals and sport facilities. We also design car parks, loading platforms, bridges and many other types of structures. We select the materials for these projects based on their load and maintenance requirements.

We design foundations and solutions for the excavation planning in accordance with the circumstances on site. Our services also include the design and use of prefabricated support structures, concrete and steel maintenance, and design and construction of composite wood components.

Our models are also available in BIM and VDC.

Services

  • Supporting Structure Verification / Earthquake-proofing

  • Supporting Structure Repair

  • Supporting structure concepts

  • Special foundations

  • Excavation pit planning

  • Tragwerksprojektierung

Downloads

    Baugrubenplanung

    Innovative Planung mit Mehrwert

    3.72 MB

Contact us:

  • ri-Kontakt-christoph-schelker-05190

    Christoph Schelker

    Head of Load-Bearing Structures

    Contact Information
    • Email
    • +41 58 595 76 47

References

Show All
  • KSW Ersatzneubau Bettenhaus Empfang1

    New building for Winterthur Cantonal Hospital

    • Client

      Hochbauamt Kanton Zürich

    • Segment

      Healthcare sector

    • Location

      Winterthur

  • E+H Neubau Kompetenzzentrum1

    New industrial building for Endress+Hauser Flow

    • Client

      Endress+Hauser Flow Switzerland

    • Segment

      Machine and apparatus construction

    • Location

      Reinach (BL)

  • Flowtec Reinach

    Production and office expansion for Endress+Hauser Flow in Reinach

    • Client

      Endress+Hauser Flow Switzerland

    • Segment

      Machine and apparatus construction

    • Location

      Reinach (BL)

  • RI-EP Schänzli

    Renewal of A2 motorway and Schänzlitunnel

    • Client

      Bundesamt für Strassen ASTRA

    • Segment

      Public service, Traffic and infrastructure

    • Location

      Muttenz

Questions and answers on structural design

What are the advantages of timber construction and timber composite construction in structural planning? 

 Rapp's structural planning in timber construction and timber composite construction offers numerous specific advantages. These have an impact on the following aspects: 

  • Static efficiency
  • Construction physics
  • Economic efficiency
  • Sustainability

From a planning point of view, wood shines above all due to its high load-bearing capacity with a relatively low dead weight. This enables a resource-saving design. If particularly large spans are to be achieved, the use of glued laminated timber (glulam) or laminated veneer lumber (LVL) is recommended. This is because these timbers have an even higher load-bearing capacity.

Wood is also very easy to work with, which means that the supporting structure can also be adapted in later construction phases. If the supporting structure is modular, the building can also be extended or expanded at a later time.

Another advantage of timber for structural planning in timber construction and timber composite construction is its high elasticity and ductility. As a result, it can absorb earthquake loads better than rigid materials such as concrete. This is particularly essential for high-rise buildings and bridge structures.

Contrary to popular belief, wood is also extremely resistant to fires because it forms a protective layer of carbon. This shields the wooden core from the flames and ensures the load-bearing behaviour over a longer period of time. Hybrid construction using steel or concrete is the optimum solution, especially for load-bearing structures that are subject to heavy loads.

 

When is timber composite construction the best choice for structural planning? 

Structural planning in timber construction and timber composite construction by Rapp is particularly appropriate when it comes to these aspects: 

  • High load-bearing capacity
  • Noise protection
  • Fire protection
  • Sustainability

Composite timber construction is particularly important in certain projects because it has clear advantages over pure timber or steel designs. This particularly applies to multi-storey buildings and bridges. Composite timber construction also shows its strengths in large-area ceiling systems and renovations.

Rapp carries out structural planning for all building materials and almost all types of buildings. Our team has many years of experience in the planning and optimisation of load-bearing structures. We specialise in timber construction because it is sustainable and enables particularly flexible solutions.

 

How sustainable is timber construction in structural planning compared to other construction methods? 

Sustainability plays an important role in all the solutions and measures that Rapp recommends. This also applies to structural planning in timber construction and timber composite construction. In any case, wood is a very sustainable material because it is constantly renewing itself and does not have to be produced. In contrast, concrete has to be made from sand and gravel, which depletes natural resources.

The production of concrete and steel also generates high CO₂ emissions and is therefore harmful to the environment and the atmosphere. Wood, on the other hand, is at least CO₂ neutral, if not CO₂ positive. This is because wood stores CO₂ as it grows, and continues to do so after harvesting. This reduces the ecological footprint of timber buildings. 

Wood also consumes much less energy during production, transport and processing, i.e. the so-called grey energy. Prefabricating timber components saves energy thanks to efficient production processes and reduced use of construction machinery. And the transport of wood is less costly due to the comparatively low weight of the material. 

What's more, wood can be recycled in many ways and can be optimally integrated into a raw material cycle. For example, it can be used again as a building material if its condition permits. 

 

Which standards and guidelines apply to modern timber construction in structural planning? 

It goes without saying that Rapp takes the applicable standards and guidelines into account in the structural planning of timber construction and timber composite construction. In particular, these include the SIA 265 structural standard for timber constructions. It corresponds to Eurocode 5 (EN 1995), but is adapted to Swiss conditions. The supplements SIA 265/1 and SIA 265/2 specify composite construction methods and adhesives and bonding in timber construction respectively. 

The fire protection regulations of the Association of Cantonal Fire Insurers (VKF) are decisive for the fire protection of timber buildings. In addition, building laws and regulations issued individually by the cantons must also be observed.

Related area of activity

  • Architecture

    We relish being presented with demanding architectural challenges.

    Read more
  • Bridges & Engineering Structures

    We design customised structures and engineering structures of various types made of concrete, prestressed concrete, steel and steel composite, as well as geotechnical safeguards. We carry out structural inspections, expert opinions and structural repairs for you.

    Read more
  • Construction Management

    We ensure the smooth collaboration of all parties involved in your project.

    Read more
  • General & Industrial Civil Engineering

    Particular conditions apply to civil engineering as a special area of construction. This is especially apparent in industrial civil engineering. We have the farsightedness and experience that projects of this nature demand.

    Read more
  • General Planning

    We plan and coordinate every aspect of your construction project.

    Read more
  • Safety and Security

    Optimum protection – we ensure that the safety of people and the environment is guaranteed even in the event of an incident.

    Read more

Contact us:

+41 58 595 77 77 info@rapp.ch

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Rapp AG

Hochstrasse 100
Postfach
4018 Basel
Switzerland

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  • Range of services
    • To Overview
    • General Planning & Construction Management
    • Operations & Logistics
    • Architecture & Site Planning
    • Infrastructure & Environment
    • Supporting Structures & Specialists
      • To Overview
      • Support Structures
      • Construction Logistics
      • Building Physics and Acoustics
      • Fire Protection
      • Safety and Security
      • Building Simulation
      • Relocation Management
    • Mobility & Transport
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    • Energy Systems
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  • Who we are
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