Timber materials for concrete/steel-free geostructures

Objectives Explore the use of bio-based material such as timber and its derived engineered products, for sheet pile and crib wall structures. Identifying bio-based materials that are locally available and can be subjected to low-impact surface treatment to make it resistant to bacterial attacks and exposure to the atmosphere. Develop a time depended model which takes in to account soil-air-structure interactions. Develop new types of bio-based retaining walls in conjunction with WIKA using low impact timber or modified bio-based material. Expected Results Design criteria for selection and treatment of bio-based construction material to be used for sheet pile and crib walls. Advanced time depended interaction model which could be interlinked with a service life model.