Advancing sustainable construction: a comparative analysis of wooden and steel chassis through FEA

Reducing the carbon footprint in the static holiday home industry is considered a challenging task, primarily because it heavily relies on steel structures. This study investigates the potential of using alternative materials, such as wood, as a replacement material for the main component in building static home frames. By combining finite element analysis (FEA) with experimental validation, this research evaluates the mechanical performance—specifically stiffness and deflection—of a wooden chassis compared to their steel counterparts under various loading conditions. The findings indicate that wooden chassis not only offer comparable structural integrity, but also exhibit superior stiffness and reduced deflection rates, making them a viable and environmentally friendly alternative to steel. Furthermore, this wooden chassis marks the first development of its kind in the UK static holiday home industry. This study primarily focuses on comparing the mechanical behavior of wooden and steel chassis in static holiday home constructions, indicating potential enhancements in structural integrity and performance. The results advocate for broader acceptance and implementation of wooden structures, highlighting their environmental and economic advantages, while paving the way for future investigations into sustainable material applications in the construction industry.