The DB Schenker logistics centre covers an area of 1.2 hectares. It was possible to build the project in timber construction because of the lengthy development work carried out in cooperation with the client. This also demonstrated the competitiveness of wood in the project.
The L-shaped building is around 210 metres long with a structural depth averaging 45 metres. The overall height of the building is 9.7 metres.
The three-bay building has a laminated timber column and beam structure which carries the wooden roof elements. The building is stiffened with fixed columns. The laminated columns are located in the central part at 15 metre centres and in the external walls at 7.5 metre centres. In the central bay, the main beam is a ridged beam and in the side bays, the beams are belly beams. This gives the roof natural falls for the control of rainwater.
Kerto-Ripa elements, which also act as stiffening for the roof structure, were chosen for the roof of the building. These were delivered to site with all necessary insulation, waterproofing, cross falls, holes etc already in place. The top layer of waterproofing was then laid in situ. The uniform layer of Kerto-Q boards on the underside of the elements acts as a suspension surface for lighting and for fixing other building services giving a distinct saving in this area.
The external wall structures were also in timber enabling up-and-over door guides to be fixed directly to the external wall elements. This gave a substantial saving as the guides for the 100 or so loading-bay doors could be fixed without a separate steel frame.
One important advantage of timber construction was speed of erection. Fixing time for the timber structure was 10 weeks altogether, in the period June to August 2013.
From the structural design point of view, the optimisation of timber construction had a key role, providing both cost effectiveness and efficiency in terms of space. In large buildings, major savings can be gained by optimising the use of materials. Making the use of materials more efficient also reduces the ecological footprint.
The idea was to make the logistics centre as open and flexible as possible in terms of purpose. The use of space-consuming diagonal stiffeners in the building was not allowed. Using ground-level stiffening ensured, for example, that there were no restrictions on the use of fork-lift trucks.
The structural design of the logistics centre involved a good deal of development work. The frame and steel parts of the building and the design of the Kerto-Ripa roof elements were all modelled using Tekla Structures software which was also used to print out the designs for production.
The building is in fire resistance class P1 with the construction having R30 fire resistance. The construction is in difficulty class A, consequence class CC2, reliability class RC2 and accident prevention class1.