Publications of the Institute of Building Physics

Publications by Univ. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Nabil A. Fouad

• Fouad, N. A. and Richter, T.: "Infrared thermography for damage diagnostics in the construction industry; possibilities and limits", Der Bausachverständige, Fraunhofer IRB Verlag, 4th year, Issue 2, 2008
• Buildings in Germany must be heated at times due to seasonally changing outdoor temperatures. This is necessary to provide users with a hygienic indoor climate with sufficiently high indoor air temperatures and to protect the building structure. In the context of conserving resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, legal requirements for energy-saving thermal insulation are also increasing. However, construction practice shows that the requirements defined above are often not met or were not met in many buildings. Construction defects, errors, and damage may occur as a result. With the help of innovative, non-destructive, and quickly deployable measurement and investigation methods such as building thermography, these defects can be located and measures for remediation can be initiated. Thermography is to be understood as a tool; the final assessment of the situation found can only be made with expertise and experience.
• Published in 2008 by Fraunhofer IRB Verlag.
• Article download: BauSV 2-2008 Richter-Fouad
• Fouad, N. A. and Richter, T.: "On calculating the climate-induced temperature stresses of exterior wall claddings", Bauphysik, Verlag Ernst & Sohn GmbH, 30th year, Issue 2, 2008
• Exterior wall constructions are significantly thermally stressed by constantly changing climatic boundary conditions. These non-stationary, nonlinear temperature stresses can cause damage up to structural safety problems. Using an example of an exterior wall construction, this article explains which physical principles and assumptions must be applied for a non-stationary temperature field calculation and how a practical calculation can be carried out.
• Published in 2008 by WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.
• Fouad, N. A. and Richter, T.: "Guidelines for Thermography in Architecture", Fraunhofer IRB Verlag, 2006
• Using passive thermography, the surface temperature distribution of a component can be documented in snapshots. It is a non-destructive and quickly deployable measurement and investigation method for locating thermal deficiencies and construction damage. However, to obtain meaningful measurement results, certain boundary conditions must be met and external influencing factors must be considered.
• The authors share their experience with thermography in construction technology in a concise format. After an introduction to the physical fundamentals and an overview of various thermography systems, they illustrate through numerous practical examples the wide range of possibilities and applications of infrared thermography, as well as its limitations. A brief guide summarizes important recommendations and prerequisites for successful thermogram creation.
• The book was published in June 2006 by Fraunhofer IRB Verlag.
• Fouad, N. A.; Dorow, C. and Richter, T.: "ThermoShield — a contribution to thermal insulation?", Bauphysik, Verlag Ernst & Sohn GmbH, 28th year, Issue 2, 2006
• So-called thermal coatings have been on the market for some time, advertised as significantly reducing heating energy demand in buildings. These include façade paints such as the product "ThermoShield," which contain microscopically small, silanized, ceramic hollow spheres (ceramic bubbles). Product documentation claims energy savings (sometimes referred to as heating cost savings) of up to 30%, attributed to various claimed effects of "ThermoShield."
• To verify these promising product properties, the thermal characteristics of sample bodies coated with "ThermoShield - Exterieur" were examined in a thesis at the University of Hannover. Evaluation of the measurement results showed that the coated samples did not exhibit properties indicative of thermal insulation.
• Published in 2006 by WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

• Fouad, N. A. and Schwedler, A.: "Fire protection design at a glance according to DIN 4102"; Bauwerk-Verlag, 2006

• In recent years, many changes have occurred in structural fire protection. With the introduction of national design standards based on the new safety concept with partial safety factors, it became necessary, for example, to expand DIN 4102 Part 4 to continue using it in conjunction with the new construction standards.

• The book "Fire Protection Design at a Glance according to DIN 4102," written by Dipl.-Ing. A. Schwedler and Prof. Dr. N. A. Fouad, already includes the new correction and application components for DIN 4102-4. The aim of the book is, among other things, to provide practitioners with a simple and fast way to design components for the required fire resistance rating using images and tables. As the European prestandards are currently being converted into harmonized design standards, and as this transition will take time, the book will remain relevant for several years.

• The book was published at the beginning of 2006 by Bauwerk Verlag

Conference contributions / professional meetings

• EI Behairy, S. A.; Soliman, M. I. and Fouad, N. A.: "Behaviour of Voided Reinforced Concrete Slabs", 3rd Arab Conference for Structural Engineering, March 1989 in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates

• El Behairy, S. A.; Soliman, M. I. and Fouad, N. A.: "Behaviour and Analysis of Voided Concrete Slabs", IABSE Symposium, September 1989 in Lisbon, Portugal

• El Behairy, S. A.; Soliman, M. I. and Fouad, N. A.: "Nonlinear Finite Element Analysis of Voided Reinforced Concrete Slabs", 1990 Annual Conference of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering, May 1990 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

• El Behairy, S. A.; Soliman, M. I. and Fouad, N. A.: "Nonlinear Behaviour of Reinforced Concrete Voided Slab Bridges", Third International Conference on Short and Medium Span Bridges, August 1990 in Toronto, Canada

• Fouad, N. A. and Cziesielski, E.: "Structural safety of prefabricated residential buildings in the new German federal states", 2nd International Congress on Building Preservation, 9–11 February 1994 in Berlin

• Fouad, N. A.: "Determination of extreme surface temperatures of three-layer panels", 9th Building Climatology Symposium, 14–16 September 1994 in Dresden

• Fouad, N. A.: "Influence of temperature loading on the behaviour of box girder concrete bridges", International Conference on the Stability of Structures (ICSS_95), 7–9 June 1995 in Coimbatore, India

• Cziesielski, E. and Fouad, N. A.: "Rehabilitation of external sandwich walls of large panel buildings", CIB-W 23, 32nd Meeting, September 1995 in Berlin, Publication 191

• Fouad, N. A.: "Prestressed hollow slabs for long-span and flat ceilings", 4th Specialist Meeting of the IFF Weimar e.V., 9–10 September 1997 in Weimar

• Fouad, N. A.: "Rehabilitation of sandwich wall panels in the new German federal states", IABSE Colloquium – Saving Buildings in Central and Eastern Europe – Volume 77, 4–5 June 1998 in Berlin

• Schrepfer, T. and Fouad, N. A.: "Heated industrial floor constructions with slab coverings – loads, stress states, design recommendations", International Colloquium – Industrial Floors 99 –, 12–14 January 1999

• Fouad, N. A.: "Thermal comfort in large glazed buildings", IBK-Bau Conference 240 (Glass Buildings 2000), 24–25 February 1999 in Berlin

• Fouad, N. A.: "Temperature loading of concrete box girder bridges due to climatic influences", fib Symposium, 12–15 October 1999 in Prague, Czech Republic

• Fouad, N. A.: "Thermal effects in concrete box girder bridges", 8th International Conference (Structural Faults + Repair-99), 13–15 July 1999 in London, UK

• Cziesielski, E.; Fouad, N. A. and Morgenthal, G.: "Computational simulation of airflow in buildings", Bauphysik, Verlag Ernst & Sohn GmbH, 22nd year, Issue 6, 2000

• Fouad, N. A.: "Air conditioning par ordre du mufti", Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, 26 April 2004

• Fouad, N. A.; Dorow, C. and Richter, T.: "ThermoShield — a contribution to thermal insulation?", Bauphysik, Verlag Ernst & Sohn GmbH, 28th year, Issue 2, 2006

• Fouad, N. A.; Peterson, L.-A.; Schmidt, A.; Geerdes, D.: "The wooden dome of the New Palace in Potsdam", Bauingenieur 2010, Springer Verlag, Issue 8, 2010

Journal publications

• Cziesielski, E. and Fouad, N. A.: "Assessment of the structural safety of weather protection layers of three-layer exterior walls in the new federal states", Betonwerk + Fertigteil-Technik, Bauverlag GmbH, Issue 5, 1993

• Cziesielski, E. and Fouad, N. A.: "Structural safety assessment of the weather protection layers of three-layer exterior walls", Bundesbaublatt, Bauverlag GmbH, Issue 10, October 1993

• Cziesielski, E. and Fouad, N. A.: "Weather protection layers on panel buildings", Bau-Zeitung, Verlag für Bauwesen GmbH, 47th year, Issues 9/10/11, 1993

• Cziesielski, E. and Fouad, N. A.: "Modernization of panel buildings – limits of load capacity", Bundesbaublatt, Bauverlag GmbH, Issue 2, February 1995

• Cziesielski, E. and Fouad, N. A.: "Retrofit cladding of three-layer exterior walls of large-panel buildings with thermal insulation systems", Bautechnik, Verlag Ernst & Sohn GmbH, Issue 7, 1996

• Cziesielski, E. and Fouad, N. A.: "Refurbishment of three-layer exterior walls with thermal insulation systems", Beratende Ingenieure, Springer Verlag, Issues 1-2, February 1997

• Specht, M. and Fouad, N. A.: "Temperature effects on concrete box girder bridges due to climatic influences", Beton- und Stahlbetonbau, Verlag Ernst & Sohn GmbH, 93rd year, Issues 10 and 11, 1998

• Fouad, N. A.: "Panel buildings are much better than their reputation", Deutsches Ingenieurblatt, Vogel Verlag und Druck GmbH, 6th year, October 1999

• Cziesielski, E.; Fouad, N. A. and Morgenthal, G.: "Computational simulation of airflows in buildings", Bauphysik, Verlag Ernst & Sohn GmbH, 22nd year, Issue 6, 2000

• Fouad, N. A.: "Air conditioning par ordre du mufti", Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, 26 April 2004

Book contributions / calendar publications

• Fouad, N. A.: "Extremely induced temperature stresses of concrete sandwich walls", Engineering Structural Engineering Reports, Festschrift for the 60th birthday of Prof. Dr. E. Cziesielski, Werner Verlag, 1998

• Cziesielski, E. and Fouad, N. A.: "Deformation behaviour of high bridge piers under climate-induced temperature stresses", Building Physics Reports from Research and Practice, Festschrift for the 60th birthday of Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil Karl Gertis, Fraunhofer IRB Verlag, 1998

• Specht, M. and Fouad, N. A.: "Climatically induced temperature stresses in concrete box girder bridges", Concrete Construction in Research and Practice, Festschrift for the 60th birthday of György Iványi, Verlag Bau + Technik GmbH, 1999

• Fouad, N. A.: "Climatically induced temperature stresses of components", contribution in Building Physics Calendar 2001, Verlag Ernst & Sohn GmbH

• Fouad, N. A. and Parchamy, M.: "Fire protection in industrial construction", contribution in Building Physics Calendar 2002, Verlag Ernst & Sohn GmbH

• Fouad, N. A.: "Thermal comfort in large glazed buildings – temperature distribution and thermally induced airflow", Festschrift for the 60th birthday of Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jürgen Grünberg, 2004

• Fouad, N. A.: "Concrete industrial floor — spalling due to alkali-silica reaction", Building Damage Cases, Volume 7, Fraunhofer IRB Verlag, 2005

• Fouad, N. A. and Meinke, S.: "Reinforcement options for masonry in highly earthquake-prone areas", Masonry Calendar 2005, Verlag Ernst & Sohn GmbH

• Fouad, N. A. and Parchamy, M.: "Fire protection in industrial buildings", revised contribution in Building Physics Calendar 2006, Verlag Ernst & Sohn GmbH

Books

• Cziesielski, E.; Fouad, N. A. and Vogdt, F. U.: "Structural safety of prefabricated residential buildings in the new German federal states", Building Research for Practice, Volume 21, Fraunhofer IRB Verlag, 1996

• Fouad, N. A.: "Computational simulation of climatically induced temperature stresses of structures – application to concrete box girder bridges and sandwich walls", Reports from Structural Engineering at TU Berlin, Issue 28, Fraunhofer IRB Verlag, 1998

• Ruhnau, R. and Fouad, N. A.: "Damage to external walls made of multi-layer concrete panels", Damage-Free Construction, Volume 19, Fraunhofer IRB Verlag, 1998

• Fouad, N. A. and Schwedler, A.: "Fire protection design at a glance according to DIN 4102", Bauwerk-Verlag, 2006

• Fouad, N. A. and Richter, T.: "Guidelines for Thermography in Architecture", Fraunhofer IRB Verlag, 2006

Building Physics Calendar 2010

• Fouad, N. A. and Richter, T.: "Infrared Thermography in Practice", Building Physics Calendar 2010, Ernst & Sohn GmbH Publishing, 10th edition, 2010

• Published in 2010 by Ernst & Sohn Publishing.

Use of Geothermal Energy for Keeping Outdoor Areas Free of Snow and Ice

• Richter, T.: "Use of Geothermal Energy for Keeping Outdoor Areas Free of Snow and Ice", Reports of the Institute for Building Physics 2009; Volume 2

• Use of geothermal energy for keeping outdoor areas free of snow and ice — How can outdoor surfaces be kept free of snow and ice by using geothermal energy? For the first time, a calculation method has been developed that allows realistic simulation of the climatic loads on heated outdoor areas. In particular, the time- and location-dependent development of temperature and melting heat distribution on the surface was investigated, and characteristic values for assessment and dimensioning of heated outdoor areas were derived. The advantages of the method described here are clear: it is a technically feasible system that does not rely on fossil fuels. For the transient temperature field calculations, universally applicable computational models were developed for the relevant climatic boundary conditions. These were compared with measurement results from various reference objects under real weather and snow conditions. With the help of the new calculation method, the remaining snow-covered areas and snow heights on a heated outdoor area can be precisely quantified and evaluated. For practical applicability, parametric studies were graphically implemented, enabling the rapid identification of suitable constructions.

• Published in 2009 by Fraunhofer IRB Publishing.

Infrared Thermography for Damage Diagnostics in Construction; Possibilities and Limitations

• Fouad, N. A. and Richter, T.: "Infrared Thermography for Damage Diagnostics in Construction; Possibilities and Limitations", Der Bausachverständige, Fraunhofer IRB Publishing,  4th edition, Issue 2, 2008

• Buildings in Germany must be heated temporarily due to seasonally changing outdoor air temperatures. This is necessary to provide users with a hygienic indoor climate with sufficiently high indoor air temperatures and to protect the building structure. As part of resource conservation and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, legal requirements for energy-saving thermal insulation are increasing. However, construction practice shows that these requirements are often not met. Construction defects, errors, and damage are sometimes the result. Using innovative, non-destructive, and rapidly deployable measurement and investigation methods, such as building thermography, it is possible to locate such defects and subsequently initiate remedial measures. Thermography should be understood as an aid; the final assessment of the situation requires expertise and experience.

• Published in 2008 by Fraunhofer IRB Publishing.

• Article download: BauSV 2-2008 Richter-Fouad

"On the Calculation of Climatically Induced Temperature Loads on Exterior Wall Claddings"

• Fouad, N. A. and Richter, T.: "On the Calculation of Climatically Induced Temperature Loads on Exterior Wall Claddings", Building Physics, Ernst & Sohn GmbH Publishing, 30th edition, Issue 2, 2008

• Exterior wall constructions are significantly thermally stressed by constantly changing climatic boundary conditions. These transient, non-linear temperature loads can lead to damage, even to structural stability problems. This article uses an example of an exterior wall construction to describe the physical fundamentals and assumptions required for transient temperature field calculation and how to perform a practical calculation.

• Published in 2008 by WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Guideline: Thermography in Construction (Book Project)

• Fouad, N. A. and Richter, T.: "Guideline: Thermography in Construction", Fraunhofer IRB Publishing, 2006

• With the help of passive thermography, the surface temperature distribution of a component can be documented in snapshots. It is therefore a non-destructive and quickly deployable measurement and investigation method for locating thermal deficiencies and building damage. However, to obtain meaningful measurement results, certain boundary conditions must be observed, and external influencing factors considered.

• The authors concisely share their experience with thermography in construction engineering. After an introduction to the physical principles and an overview of the various thermography systems, they illustrate, using numerous practical examples, the diverse possibilities and application areas of infrared thermography, as well as its limitations. A short guideline summarizes important notes and requirements for successful thermogram creation.

• The book was published in June 2006 by Fraunhofer IRB Publishing.

"ThermoShield — A Contribution to Thermal Insulation?"

• Fouad, N. A.; Dorow, C. and Richter, T.: "ThermoShield — A Contribution to Thermal Insulation?", Building Physics, Ernst & Sohn GmbH Publishing, 28th edition, Issue 2, 2006

• For some time, so-called thermal coatings have been on the market, advertised as significantly reducing heating energy demand in buildings. These are facade paints, such as the product "ThermoShield", to which microscopically small, silanized, ceramic hollow spheres (ceramic bubbles) are added. Product documentation claims that energy savings — sometimes also described as heating cost savings — of up to 30% can be achieved, attributed to various effects of "ThermoShield".

• To verify the promising product properties, the thermal characteristics of sample bodies coated with "ThermoShield – Exterieur" were examined as part of a study conducted at the University of Hannover. Evaluation of the measurement results showed that the coated samples did not exhibit the properties expected from a thermally insulating coating.

• Published in 2006 by WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

"Building Physics Calendar 2005"

• Richter, T. and Winkelmann-Fouad, S.: "Application of the U-Value as a Parameter for Heat Transfer Processes", Building Physics Calendar 2005, Ernst & Sohn GmbH Publishing, 5th edition, 2005

• Published in 2005 by Ernst & Sohn Publishing.

"Research Magazine of the University of Hannover"

• Fouad, N. A. and Richter, T.: "So that the Heat Stays Inside the House. Possibilities for Quality Assurance of Thermal Insulation Measures in New Construction and in Existing Buildings", Research Magazine of the University of Hannover, Issue 1/2 - 2005

• Published in 2005 in the University Magazine. 

Publications (Selection)

• Moorkamp, W.; Becker, P.; Schelling, W.; Rautenstrauch, K.: Long-term experiments with columns: Results and possible consequences on column design. CIB-W-18 Proceedings, Paper 34-2-1, Venice, Italy. 2001
• Schelling, W.: More accurate calculation of semi-rigid composite timber beams using the g-method. In: Festschrift E. Csiesielski. Werner Publishing. April 1998. 10 pages.
• Speich, M.; Möller, G.; Schelling, W.: On the calculation of deformation of wind and bracing systems in timber construction. Bautechnik, 68th year, June 1991, Issue 6
• Logemann, M.; Schelling, W.: The fracture toughness of spruce and its essential influencing parameters. Investigations in Mode-2. Holz als Roh- und Werkstoff 50, pp. 117–121. Springer Publishing 1992
• Logemann, M.; Schelling, W.: The fracture toughness of spruce and its essential influencing parameters. Investigations in Mode-1. Holz als Roh- und Werkstoff 50, pp. 47–52. Springer Publishing 1992
• Schelling, W.; Logemann, M.; Zietz, W.: The old and new timber piles in the Kiel Canal (North Sea–Baltic Sea Canal). Bautechnik 66 (1989), pp. 149–153
• Schelling, W.; Rautenstrauch, K.; Möller, G.: Investigations on the bending creep behavior of solid timber and glued laminated timber cross-sections under practical building conditions; Final report of the research project AIF-No. 6527, June 1989
• Csiesielski, E.; Friedemann, M.; Schelling, W.: TIMBER CONSTRUCTION – Structural Calculations. Wood Industry Publishing of the Timber Working Group. Düsseldorf 1988. 350 pages.
• Schelling, W.: Mortise and tenon joints. In: Holz Information Service: Traditional Timber Joints. Düsseldorf: Timber Working Group, 1988
• Schelling, W. et al.: Design Aids – Nodes, Connections – Part 3. Holz Information Service. Düsseldorf: Timber Working Group, 1987, pp. 1–40
• Schelling, W.; Hinkes, F.-J.: Load-bearing behavior of mortise and tenon joints. Research Report of the Institute for Structural Engineering and Timber Construction, University of Hannover, 1985
• Schelling, W. et al.: Design Aids – Nodes, Connections – Part 2. Holz Information Service. Düsseldorf: Timber Working Group, 1984, pp. 1–40
• Schelling, W. et al.: Design Aids – Nodes, Connections – Part 1. Holz Information Service. Düsseldorf: Timber Working Group, 1983, pp. 1–40

• Kessel, M. H.; Hinkes, F.-J.; Schelling, W.: On securing three-hinged glulam frames against tipping. Bauingenieur 59 (1984), pp. 189–194

• Schelling, W.: On the calculation of semi-rigid composite beams made of any number of individual cross-sections. In: Ehlbeck, J. (Ed.); Steck, G. (Ed.): Timber Engineering in Research and Practice. Bruderverlag Karlsruhe 1982

• Schelling, W.: The calculation of semi-rigid composite beams in timber engineering. Dissertation, University of Karlsruhe 1968

• Möhler, K.; Schelling, W.: Design of buckling braces and buckling stiffeners in timber construction. Der Bauingenieur, Issue 2, 1968, pp. 43–48

• Ehlbeck, J.; Köster, P.; Schelling, W.: Practical calculation and design of semi-rigid composite timber elements. Bauen mit Holz, No. 6, 1967

• Schelling, W.: Calculation of curved glulam beams under bending stress. Bauen mit Holz, No. 4, 1967

Fire Protection Design at a Glance according to DIN 4102 (Book Project)

• Fouad, N. A. and Schwedler, A.: "Fire Protection Design at a Glance according to DIN 4102"; Bauwerk Publishing, 2006

• In structural fire protection, much has changed in recent years. With the introduction of national design standards based on the new safety concept with partial safety factors, it became necessary, for example, to expand DIN 4102 Part 4 in order to continue using it in conjunction with the new structural design standards.

• The book "Fire Protection Design at a Glance according to DIN 4102", written by Dipl.-Ing. A. Schwedler and Prof. Dr. N. A. Fouad, already includes the new correction and application sections of DIN 4102-4. One of the objectives of the book is to provide practicing planners with an easy and quick way to design building components for the required fire resistance using images and tables. As the European pre-standards are currently being transferred into harmonized design standards, a longer transition period can be expected until their final applicability, so the book will remain relevant for several years.

• The book was published at the beginning of 2006 by Bauwerk Publishing.

Current Masonry Construction – Practical Handbook

• Fouad, N. A. and Schwedler, A.: "On the State of Fire Protection Design for Masonry"; Bauwerk Publishing, since 2007

• The practical handbook "Current Masonry Construction" is a handy working tool for daily practice. It provides those involved in construction, planning, execution, calculation, and site supervision with current, compact, understandable, and practice-oriented information. Its annual publication ensures the highest level of up-to-dateness.

• Since 2007, Dipl.-Ing. A. Schwedler and Prof. Dr. N. A. Fouad have published an updated annual contribution titled "On the State of Fire Protection Design for Masonry".

• The book is published annually by Bauwerk Publishing at http://www.bauwerk-verlag.de/cgi-bin/katalog.pl?ac=si&g=001002&i=3-934369-46-4

Application of Massively Parallel Computing with Graphics Cards (GPGPU) for CFD Methods in Fire Protection

• Belaschk, H.C. and Münch, M.: "Application of Massively Parallel Computing with Graphics Cards (GPGPU) for CFD Methods in Fire Protection", Building Physics, Ernst & Sohn GmbH Publishing,  31st year, Issue 4, 2009

• The use of fire simulation programs based on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods is becoming increasingly widespread in practice. Due to the growing availability of computing power, it is now possible to reproduce the effects of potential fire scenarios and obtain useful information for specific applications (e.g., verification of fire protection concept reliability). Despite the progress achieved, the performance of currently available computers is far from sufficient to simulate a building fire, including all physical and chemical processes involved, with the highest possible accuracy. The models implemented in computer programs for calculating fire and smoke spread therefore always represent a compromise between computational efficiency and the level of detail in the modeling. This article explains the causes of the high computational demand of CFD methods and discusses the challenges and possible sources of error resulting from model simplifications. In addition, it introduces a new technological approach that dramatically increases the computational power of a personal computer by using specialized software and commercially available 3D graphics cards. Using the example of the Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS), it is demonstrated that the required computation time for a fire simulation on a personal computer can be reduced by a factor of 20 or more.

• Published in 2009 by WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Service Life of Wooden Sleepers in the Tunnels of the Hamburg Underground (Article in “Der Eisenbahningenieur” 2/2006)

• Hempe, T.; Lillie, D.; Lepke, D.; Peterson, L. A.: "Service Life of Wooden Sleepers in the Tunnels of the Hamburg Underground", Der Eisenbahningenieur 2006; Issue 2

• The Hamburg Hochbahn AG required a reliable assessment of the remaining service life of the wooden sleepers in its tunnels as part of the revision of a long-term maintenance and renewal strategy for its subway infrastructure. For this reason, it commissioned the Institute of Transport, Railway Construction and Operation (IVE) at the University of Hannover to prepare an expert report. The result provided a well-founded conclusion that the remaining service life of the tunnel sleepers is significantly longer than previously estimated. Eurailpress Publishing

• To the article

Reports of the Institute for Building Physics: On the Load-Bearing Behaviour of Semi-Rigidly Connected Timber Beams

• Peterson, L. A.: "On the Load-Bearing Behaviour of Semi-Rigidly Connected Timber Beams", Reports of the Institute for Building Physics 2008; Volume 1

• Composite cross-sections consist of multiple individual cross-sections. By connecting the individual sections to form a composite section, the stiffness of the composite is increased compared to the sum of the individual stiffnesses. In particular, the force-deformation behaviour of the fasteners must be taken into account when determining the overall stiffness. This work first discusses the linearly elastic design options for semi-rigidly connected timber beams. For comparison, practical investigations were conducted on two-part solid timber beams using mechanical fasteners with different deformation characteristics. These comprehensively documented experiments illustrate the differences compared to real, non-elastic, static load-bearing behaviour. Accompanied by further practical tests on individual fasteners under block shear loading, the numerical consideration of the plastic behaviour of fasteners is examined using two theoretical approaches. Based on these investigations, a new semi-analytical method is developed using beam theory extended to include shear-soft joints. Compared to finite volume and contact element calculations in the ANSYS software system, the new method proves to be more effective for considering plastic fastener behaviour in design tasks. 

• Published in 2008 by Fraunhofer IRB Publishing.

On the Load-Bearing Behaviour of Semi-Rigidly Connected Timber Beams

• Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Kurt Schwaner; Peterson, L. A.: "On the Load-Bearing Behaviour of Semi-Rigidly Connected Timber Beams", Zukunft Holz – Cross-Section Reports and Development Potentials; Final Report 30.04.2009

• Status report on the current state of the use of timber and timber products in construction and evaluation of future development potentials.

The Timber Dome of the New Palace in Potsdam (Article in “Bauingenieur” 8/2010)

• Fouad, N. A.; Peterson, L.-A.; Schmidt, A.; Geerdes, D.: "The Timber Dome of the New Palace in Potsdam", Bauingenieur 2010; Issue 8

• The powerfully imposing timber dome atop the New Palace at the end of the magnificent main avenue in Sanssouci Park, Potsdam, continues to make a striking and moving impression even more than 250 years after its construction. Structures of this age require continuous structural and constructional preservation efforts. To provide a basis for such measures, a project was undertaken to investigate the load-bearing structure of the historic timber dome over the central building of the New Palace. The focus of the presented work is a structural assessment of the existing dome according to current design rules, identifying the structural reserves based on three-dimensional frame analyses. This required a detailed documentation of the dome’s construction. The New Palace in Sanssouci Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site owned by the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation Berlin-Brandenburg (SPSG). The foundation is gratefully acknowledged for its support. Springer Publishing

• To the article

Doctoral Dissertation

• Prediction of Moisture-Induced Biological Growth on Exterior Wall Surfaces
  Reports of the Institute for Building Physics of Leibniz University Hannover, Volume 9
  Heide Ackerbauer
  Ed.: Leibniz University Hannover, Institute for Building Physics; Nabil A. Fouad
  2020, 300 pp., numerous illustrations, tables and diagrams, softcover
  Fraunhofer IRB Publishing
  ISBN 978-3-7388-0444-7
• Book

Building Physics Calendar 2017

• Ackerbauer, H.: "Microbial Growth on Facades", Building Physics Calendar 2017, pp. 603–640, Ernst & Sohn GmbH Publishing, 17th edition, 2017

• Published in 2017 by Ernst & Sohn Publishing, Documentation Algae Study