Major timber construction project using certified PU materials

A multi-storey hall of residence made of 371 timber modules is currently under construction in Hamburg. The polyurethane material Sylodyn® from Getzner, which has been approved by the German Institute for Building Technology (DIBt), is being used in the building to protect the future residents from vibrations and noise.

Austrian timber construction company Kaufmann Bausysteme from Reuthe is working together with the Universal Design Quartier (UDQ) to construct the largest wooden dwelling in Hamburg in the city's Wilhelmsburg quarter. The six-storey hall of residence comprising 371 individual timber modules will fulfil the highest aesthetic and technical standards. Sound control plays a key role in a project of this kind: “As sound is predominantly transmitted between two rooms via the flanks, we decouple the timber construction modules using our linear supports. This virtually eliminates sound transmission,” explains Getzner project manager Hendrik Reichelt. In this major timber construction project, the material Sylodyn® from Getzner will provide protection against sound transmission. Both Sylodyn® and the material Sylomer® obtained national technical approval (abZ) from the German Institute for Building Technology (DIBt) in 2016. This certification recognises the quality of the vibration isolation and protection provided by both materials and guarantees that they conform to the latest technology standards in terms of their reliability and durability.

Outstanding long-term empirical results
The hall of residence under construction in Hamburg is a prime example of modern timber construction technology. Using sound control measures of this type significantly improves the quality of life for residents, which has a positive effect on the building's value. The renowned timber construction company Kaufmann Bausysteme has been using Sylomer® and Sylodyn® for years to decouple its timber modules: “Our close cooperation with Getzner has enabled us to demonstrate exceptional long-term empirical results. They speak both for the sound control solution, as well as the vibration protection expert's consultancy services,” underlines Christian Kaufmann, Managing Director of Kaufmann Bausysteme. Thanks to the static assessment concept, in projects like this one, shear forces can be transferred by the Sylodyn® bearings, completely eliminating the need for shear cleats. The future residents will benefit from the high-quality construction. 

First elastomers with technical approval and the assessment concept for structural engineers
Getzner is the only provider of vibration protection solutions in the world whose polyurethane materials – Sylomer® and Sylodyn® – have been granted national technical approval by the German Institute for Building Technology (DIBt). “We also provide an assessment concept that will facilitate simple and safe structural analyses. This allows structural engineers to approve sound control solutions recommended by construction physicists,” says Hendrik Reichelt, highlighting the far-reaching significance and the major simplifications. Using Sylomer® and Sylodyn® demonstrably improves the quality of living and working conditions – not only in dwellings like the hall of residence in Hamburg (due for completion in autumn 2017), but also in office blocks, schools and nurseries, hospitals, care homes and even opera houses