Concrete structures
Concrete structures is one of the research fields within the subject of building technology. It includes possible studies of all types of such structures: reinforced and prestressed concrete, cast-in-place and prefabricated concrete, newly designed and decades old structures. The research has its background in the construction industry and is most often carried out in collaboration with it.
Our research
Our research is focused on two topics:
- Precast concrete structures
- Existing concrete structures
Precast concrete structures
Modern precast concrete construction is a comprehensive engineering approach which considers all the requirements. Not only in terms of structural design, but also in terms of the function and form of the building and its impact on the environment. It contributes to speeding up the construction process, improving the quality of the building, making optimum use of the properties of the various materials, and fitting in better with a sustainable economy. There is no doubt that prefabrication is the easiest way to implement innovative material, technological, structural, and environmental solutions.
We have good experiences in wide-scale experimental studies of long-span floor systems made of pre-tensioned precast units, made with and without a structural concrete topping. Another area of activity is related to prefabricated elements of rail pavements of prestressed concrete (sleepers, bearers) in terms of ensuring their safety and durability.
Current developments are to a great extent associated with:
- Analysis of composite structures made of precast concrete floor units and structural concrete topping.
- Design for reuse of concrete buildings or their elements, which is one of the key aspects of implementing the "circular building" concept.
Existing concrete structures
Many buildings with concrete structure, both residential and industrial, erected in Europe in the second half of the 20th century, are reaching or have already exceeded their design life.
The question of the durability and safety of such buildings continues to be an ongoing concern. Their owners or managers are often concerned about their technical condition and continued serviceability.
Our work ranges from the assessment of such building structures to methods for their repair or strengthening. The latter ranges from traditional methods, through the possibility of changing their static schemes, to the latest technologies using non-metallic externally bonded reinforcement.