kfmResearch – Chair of Structural Engineering – Concrete Structures and Bridge Design, ETH Zurich’s Post

How does the angle of inclination of slanted columns affect their load-bearing capacity and stability compared to vertical columns, and what design considerations should be taken into account to optimize their performance in structural applications?

We are thrilled to share our research paper titled "#Punching of Reinforced #Concrete Slabs Without Shear Reinforcement: Standard Models and New Proposal." Reinforced concrete (RC) slabs are integral to modern construction due to their reduced construction time, versatility, and ease of space partitioning. However, understanding their structural behavior, particularly their punching shear strength, remains a complex and ongoing research challenge. In this study, we compiled an experimental database of 113 RC slabs without shear reinforcement under punching loads, sourced from existing literature. Our sensitivity analysis revealed the critical role of flexural reinforcement in assessing punching shear strength—an aspect often overlooked in current standards. Key highlights of our paper include: Comprehensive Review: A detailed analysis of current international standards. Innovative Model: Introduction of a new model for punching shear strength and rotation of RC slabs without shear reinforcement. This model incorporates a simplified load-rotation curve and new failure criteria considering flexural reinforcement effects. Validation: Validation of both existing standards and our proposed model using the extensive experimental database. Our findings suggest that the new model could serve as a valuable tool for the design of RC slabs, providing more accurate predictions of punching shear strength. We invite you to delve into our paper and explore the insights and implications of our research. Your feedback and discussions are highly welcomed! Free full paper: https://lnkd.in/dYdSbncb #ReinforcedConcrete #StructuralEngineering #ConstructionInnovation #Research #EngineeringExcellence #ConcreteResearch #PunchingShearStrength #CivilEngineering #NewResearch #DesignInnovation

The new FIB Model code for concrete structures 2020. By fib – International Federation for Structural Concrete – Fédération Internationale du Béton https://lnkd.in/emmYKwZF The new Model Code addresses both new and existing structures—including the design of new structures and the various activities related to the assessment, interventions, and life-cycle management (LCM) of existing concrete structures. With the greater emphasis on existing structures, a dedicated technical working group, Commission 8 was tasked with the development of a set of of procedures and guidelines on the durability of concrete structures: FIB MC(2020) complementary guidance on concrete durability https://lnkd.in/e2FKs8Dh #concrete #structures #durability #structural

I am excited to share our new publication: "Seismic Precast Concrete Shear Walls with Short-Grouted Ductile Reinforcing Bar Connections," published in the PCI Journal. This article presents results from the experimental testing of three precast concrete shear wall specimens that used nonproprietary, short-grouted corrugated steel straight duct connections for ductile energy-dissipating reinforcing bars crossing horizontal joints. In this type of connection, the energy-dissipation bars are terminated inside the connectors, and the bar forces are transferred into the precast concrete components through the design of vertical, transverse, and longitudinal tie reinforcing bars around the connectors. Check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gFVjspuw

Concrete cracking not only diminishes visual appeal but can also cause structural issues. A new modeling tool has been developed to tackle this problem effectively. Boral #concrete #concretetestequipment https://lnkd.in/g7JA_2pw

Why Are Crank Bars Provided in Slabs? Crank bars, also known as bent-up bars, play a vital role in the structural integrity of slabs. They are provided to counteract tension forces and enhance the strength and durability of the slab. Key Benefits of Crank Bars: Efficient Load Distribution: They help in resisting diagonal shear forces at supports by redistributing loads across the slab. Reduction of Concrete Stress: Crank bars reduce the stress concentration in the lower fibers of the slab. Enhanced Stability: By increasing the reinforcement in critical tension zones, crank bars improve overall slab stability. In the accompanying image, you can see how crank bars are strategically bent to provide support where it's needed most. This simple yet effective design element demonstrates the innovation behind modern structural engineering techniques. 💡 Think beyond concrete—strong designs build lasting legacies! #StructuralEngineering #CivilEngineering #ConstructionInnovation #ReinforcedConcrete

📢 We are excited to announce that our innovative Murfor® Compact, a high-strength steel cord mesh, is featured in a new paper, published in 'Construction and Building Materials'! The study demonstrates how our steel masonry reinforcement solution on a roll, combined with fiberglass roving, significantly enhances the out-of-plane bending behavior of masonry walls, offering improved...: ✔️Capacity ✔️Ductility ✔️Sustainability 💡 With advanced testing-methods like DIC, the research highlights material, time, and cost savings, making construction more efficient and sustainable! 🙌 Huge thanks to Luca Pelà, Emerson Cuadros Rojas, Larisa Garcia-Ramonda, Pere Roca and our very own Carlos Piles Puig, Pier Paolo Fumagalli, Paolo Galante and Yassin Z. for making this possible! 👇Be sure to check out the paper itself, below!👇 #Bekaert #Innovation #Sustainability #SustainableConstruction #MasonryReinforcementOnARoll #MurforCompact

In Western Europe, polymer-modified reinforced render is a cutting-edge solution to prevent crack-formation in facades. The technique involves decoupling masonry from the render using a fiber mesh in a polymer-based base coat. This effectively prevents tension from the substrate, helping avoid cracks. Check out the link below to learn more:  https://bit.ly/3UavAfr This method could be a game-changer for buildings in the Middle East Africa Region struggling with facade cracks. Want to delve deeper into render types? Explore our latest Insights article for more information. #Construction #FacadeSolutions #BuildingInnovations

🧑🎓WHITE PAPER//Design of Mersey River Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Truss Bridge. This paper discusses the design of a 30-metre pedestrian bridge that was installed over Mersey River in Kejimkujik National Park in Nova Scotia Canada, including the basis for the selection of the key structural material, Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP). Read the full paper now 👉https://ow.ly/bvPG50UhcBj #StructuralEngineering #BridgeDesign #FRP #CivilEngineering #SustainableDesign #PedestrianBridge #EngineeringResearch #InnovativeMaterials

📢 We are pleased to share our latest publication "Out-of-plane bending behaviour of masonry walls with high-strength steel cord mesh bed joint reinforcement", co-authored with Larisa Garcia-Ramonda, Pere Roca and Luca Pelà. ➡️ The paper is available at: https://lnkd.in/durhH7Bh 💡 This research was made possible through a fantastic industry-university collaboration between our team and the company Bekaert. We extend our sincere gratitude to Carlos Piles Puig, Pier Paolo Fumagalli, and Yassin Z. Z. for their invaluable support throughout the experimental program. The article presents an experimental programme on the study addresses the out-of-plane bending behaviour of masonry walls reinforced with an innovative high-strength steel cord mesh embedded in bed joints. The research includes an experimental program on masonry walls built with perforated brick units and lime-cement mortar, materials commonly utilized in the construction of exposed brick façades. Bending tests were conducted in accordance with standard EN 1052–2, with the aid of 3D stereoscopic Digital Image Correlation for precise analysis of out-of-plane displacements and crack tracking. The experimental study includes specimens with three different configurations, i.e. unreinforced masonry walls, walls with 0.6 m spaced reinforced bed joints, and walls with 0.4 m spaced reinforced bed joints. The experimental results exhibit a substantial enhancement of out-of-plane bending capacity and ductility due to the mesh configuration of the bed joint reinforcement, with high-strength chords distributed uniformly throughout the depth of the wall. The study proposes also an analytical model to describe the out-of-plane bending behaviour of this peculiar type of reinforced masonry, based on the mechanical properties and geometry of masonry components, and the amount of reinforcement. The research offers useful insights into the structural performance of a novel typology of reinforced masonry, providing a set of experimental results that can contribute to future research on the out-of-plane capacity of new technologies for the reinforcement of exposed brick façades. 👇Be sure to check out the paper itself, below!👇 #Bekaert #Innovation #Sustainability #SustainableConstruction #MasonryReinforcementOnARoll #MurforCompact