Title: Advanced Concrete Structures for the Sustainable- and Resilient-Built Environment

Author(s): Petr Hajek and Ctislav Fiala

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 326

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 69.1-69.8

Keywords: sustainability; resiliency; high performance concrete; life-cycle assessment; light precast concrete structure; demountable connections

DOI: 10.14359/51711052

Date: 8/10/2018

Abstract:

Structures and the built environment should be better prepared for changing climatic conditions – as they should be sustainable and resilient. The specific properties of concrete like affordability, availability and variability in connection with strength and durability have made concrete the most used construction material in the world; and represents a material with high level of safety and resiliency, and high potential for environmental impact reduction. The use of new types of advanced concrete composites represents an especially important potential towards future sustainable and resilient built environment.

Results of a long-term research project on the development of an optimized light precast construction system based on high performance silicate composites are presented as an example of sustainability construction. The concept is based on a combination of slender concrete load-bearing frame structure and timber elements which can lead to advantageous structural and environmental solutions. Slender demountable high performance concrete (HPC) frame represents an effective alternative to timber-based load bearing structures by providing the possibility to build buildings with higher spatial stiffness, better fire safety and acoustic properties of concrete floor structures, while allowing the other structural elements to be constructed of renewable material source – especially wood.