Twin²Sim

Twin2Sim: Multifunctional test stand

The project serves the holistic investigation of complex building envelopes and building services engineering within the framework of a multifunctional test stand for façades (short-term investigations of 2-6 months) and a test building, in which the previously characterised façade components can be evaluated in the long term (several years). The test building further serves the evaluation of building services engineering installations in interaction with space and users. After the measurement, simulation and modelling takes place and thus the further development on digital twins is possible. This helps to reduce future development costs by reducing physical prototypes. For only the second time in Austria, the facility allows the measurement of the sound insulation of components in a test stand in timber construction and, for the first time, also the measurement of the longitudinal sound conduction. This function is particularly significant for the development of lightweight (wooden) components, as there are no calculation options for such components and simulation is still exclusively of a research nature.

With the know-how of the FH Salzburg, components and systems are represented by suitable models using simulations. Further development steps can subsequently be modelled on these digital twins. This procedure does not replace standardised tests, but it saves them having to be carried out several times in the course of development.Twin²Sim is used in funded research projects and in contract research.

High-quality timber construction architecture

The project integrates scientific testing into high-quality timber construction architecture (passive house ready), which will enhance Campus Kuchl both functionally and architecturally. Workplace for additional 20 people is created, which corresponds to an increase of 30% at the site.

Integration into teaching

Integration into teaching and training takes place through the use of the facility as an opportunity for prototype construction with subsequent measurement based evaluation, as a demonstration object for construction, building and control technology and through research-led teaching.

Incubator for the economy

The facility sees itself as an incubator for R&D and business, especially for SMEs without own research facilities, and is available to companies on a non-discriminatory basis, e.g. in the context of cooperative research projects.

Exploded view of test stand construction

Very constant temperature conditions are required in the test stand in order to be able to assess the influence of the test specimens on the room. Therefore, all external surfaces are heated or cooled on two levels and the energy used for this is measured. In addition, temperature, humidity, heat flow, solar radiation, wind and, if required, other physical parameters are recorded in the exterior and interior spaces as well as on the components themselves.

Who is researching at Twin²Sim?

Smart Building
The Team initiated the project, created the basic concept and will use the project for experiments and tests on building envelopes, hydrogen and building technology. The research team will have its workplaces in the project and thus also provide research subjects, e.g. for studies on comfort.

Forest Products Technology & Timber Constructions
The team is responsible for tests on timber construction and airborne sound insulation.

Alpine Building Centre
The Alpine Builidng Centre handles the project funding, has carried out the planning of the scientific facilities and the test fields, and will use the project for experiments and tests on building envelopes and building services technology. The research team will have its workplaces in the project and thus also provide research subjects, e.g. for studies on comfort.
 

The project is funded by the province of Salzburg within the framework of WISS2025.

Belimo. Innovative applications for more comfort, energy efficiency and safety. As the world market leader, Belimo develops innovative solutions for the regulation and control of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. Actuators, valves and sensors are our core business. Our consistent focus on market and customer needs makes us a partner that offers its customers unique added value. Belimo's "small" products have a big impact on comfort, energy efficiency, safety, installation and maintenance. In short: Small devices, big impact.

Getzner Werkstoffe, based in Vorarlberg, has been producing solutions for sound and vibration protection since 1969. Shocks from the railway sector, vibrations from industrial plants or impact and airborne noise or flank transmission in wooden buildings are no longer a problem thanks to Getzner's continuously developed products. Together with research institutions and development partners worldwide, we are constantly working towards a quieter future and a better quality of life.

Hoval. The Hoval brand is one of the leading international companies for heating and indoor climate solutions. With more than 75 years of experience and a family-like team culture, Hoval succeeds time and again in inspiring with extraordinary solutions and technically superior developments. This leadership role obliges the company to take responsibility for energy and the environment, which it meets with an intelligent combination of different heating technologies and individual indoor climate solutions.

Wilo. The Wilo Group is one of the world's leading premium suppliers of pumps and pump systems for building services, water management and industry. With smart solutions, the Wilo Group is on its way to becoming the digital pioneer of the industry. The company is backed by more than 8,000 employees. Wilo Pumpen Österreich GmbH, a 100% subsidiary of the traditional Dortmund-based company, has been operating successfully in the Austrian sales region for over 40 years.

Egger. The family-owned company, which has been in existence since 1961, employs around 10,100 people. They manufacture a comprehensive product range of wood-based materials (chipboard, OSB and MDF boards) as well as sawn timber at 20 locations worldwide. EGGER has customers worldwide in the furniture industry, the wood and flooring trade and in DIY stores. EGGER products can be found in countless areas of private and public life: in kitchens, bathrooms, offices, living rooms and bedrooms. EGGER sees itself as a full-range supplier for furniture and interior fittings, for structural timber engineering and for wood-based flooring.

Rigips. RIGIPS has been producing gypsum panels in Austria since 1971. RIGIPS produces and distributes gypsum boards, gypsum fibre boards and a wide range of gypsum powder products for fillers and jointing compounds. Rigips combines these gypsum products with high-quality components to create complete systems that are tested according to all building physics criteria. The plant in Bad Aussee is one of the most modern and energy-efficient production facilities in Europe, and the site in Puchberg is one of three competence centres for powder products.

URSA is one of the leading European manufacturers of mineral wool and extruded polystyrene (XPS), two complementary insulation materials that help to insulate buildings thermally and acoustically. URSA supplies quality products from a single source for all application segments around thermal, acoustic and fire protection, energy efficiency in buildings and forward-looking sustainability. With 13 production sites and around 40 sales locations across Europe, URSA has a broad commercial presence.

Theurl. In our family business, 390 employees at three locations in Tyrol and Carinthia develop high-quality and sustainable solid wood products for modern timber construction. With over 25 different occupational groups, we span across the various company divisions. Whether in the office, in production or technology, for IT specialists, metal technicians or sales staff, at THEURL the focus is on working as a team.