Project R-16557

A multi-scale approach to assess the reusability and nodal robustness of precast RC structures (Research)

Recent phenomena, such as climate change and the growing need for resilience in our built environment, force engineers to design both circular and robust structures. Nevertheless, both pose very different demands during the design process. Where circular structures require dry connections to enable demounting and remounting of components, robust reinforced concrete structures are often relying on wet connections to ensure continuity of the reinforcement. In this project, the balance between both robustness and reusability of precast reinforced concrete components and structures will be investigated. Full-scale experiments will be performed on beams connected to columns in a demountable way, both investigating the impact of this dry connection on the robustness, but also on the behavior after subsequent demounting and remounting cycles. Based on the experimental results, numerical simulations across various scales (node, beam, frame), and a probabilistic safety assessment, design guidelines will be developed for designing robust demountable precast reinforced concrete structures on the one hand, and for designing structures with reused precast reinforced concrete components on the other hand.

01 October 2026 - 30 September 2030