Narrow Vertical Mortar Connections for Precast Concrete Shear Walls

The thixotropic properties of contemporary mortars allow the insertion of mortar in small vertical seams by using a mortar pump without the need for traditional formwork. In such a seam, a vertical mortar connection for the transfer of shear forces can be created by simply adding a profile to the mortar-to-concrete interfaces. In this way a...

Modelling the interface in concrete-to-concrete connections between precast girders and cast-in-situ top layers

A significant part of composite concrete viaducts was built in the 50s and 60s. This has led to an increasing need for the reassessment of the precast concrete beam bridges in the Netherlands. Many of those bridges are nowadays subjected to higher traffic loads and consequently, have a certain risk of not complying with the currently used design...

Sub-components’ lead time optimization in precast concrete house-building industry

Precast concrete appears to be promising in dealing with delays in housing construction, yet long lead times are apparent in this industry. Lead time refers to the time that elapses between placing and receiving an order. The construction company Janssen de Jong recognizes the problem of sub-components’ long lead times in precast concrete house...

The evolution of the precast concrete façade in the police headquarters in The Hague

Our knowledge of precast concrete facades is becoming more relevant each day.<br/>Buildings with precast concrete façades are relatively new in relation to monument listing, due to architectural and constructive innovations being related to these façades. However, these buildings are also next in line for demolition due to their age and...

From imitation to acceptance to worldwide production of Schokbeton

The Dutch precast concrete company Schokbeton started activities in the early 1930’s, introducing well compacted concrete elements some of them plain, others mimicking the colour, details, and surface finishes of natural stone. Being a modern, industrially produced material with a traditional stone imitating look, Schokbeton served both...

Analysing and improving the applicability of Precast Concrete Sandwich Panels

In this report, the applicability of Precast Concrete Sandwich panels (PCSPs) is analysed and improved. This is done by a multitude of methods: a literature study is performed, an advanced, non-linear Finite Element model and simple linear analytical model are developed, and calculations have been performed on a design-structure from Lievense |...

The NEMAVO Airey system: A wealth of options

After the Second World War there were serious shortages of building materials and trained personnel, the demand for housing was high and construction budgets were low. Together these factors created an environment for the large-scale development of non-traditional residential construction systems in the Netherlands. One of these was the NEMAVO...

Colour alterations of historic concrete surfaces during the Dutch Interwar Period

In the 1920s, the improved concrete technology and growing acceptance of concrete as an aesthetical material resulted in an increased application of coloured concrete. This includes the use of organic and inorganic pigments, ground natural stone, consciously chosen coarse aggregates, and also a new technique: metallisation. This rare, yet...

Mapping double-curved surfaces for production of precast concrete shell elements

Practical implications of deforming a flat mould surface into a double-curved shape. Proposal for processing concrete elements with a complex double-curved geometry in an efficient and accurate manner using parametric, associative modelling.

Production of Curved Precast Concrete Elements for Shell Structures and Free-form Architecture using the Flexible Mould Method

Free-form buildings tend to be expensive. By optimizing the production process, economical and well-performing precast concrete structures can be manufactured. In this paper, a method is presented that allows producing highly accurate double curved-elements without the need for milling two expensive mould surfaces per single element. The...

Fibre Reinforced Profiled Mortar Joints for Precast Concrete Structures

The precast concrete sector is growing and to continue this growth it is necessary that new innovations, ideas, technologies etc. are developed to improve the functionality of precast concrete structures. Many applications can be found nowadays for all different kinds of precast concrete elements. One such application for example is precast...

Optimization of the flexible mould process for the production of double-curved concrete elements

Free-form buildings tend to be expensive. By optimizing the production process, economical and wellperforming concrete structures and elements can be manufactured. In this paper, an innovative method is presented that allows producing highly accurate double curved-elements without the need for milling two expensive mould surfaces per single...

Curving Concrete: A Method for Manufacturing Double Curved Precast Concrete Panels using a Flexible Mould

Free form architecture with complex geometry brings along new challenges for manufacturers of building components. This paper describes the application of structural mechanics to predict the behaviour of an elastic mould surface, used as formwork for the manufacturing of double curved panels in precast concrete. Results are presented of...

Manufacturing Double Curved Precast Concrete Panels using a Flexible Mould

Free form architecture with complex geometry brings along new challenges for manufacturers of building components. This paper describes the application of structural mechanics to predict the behaviour of an elastic mould surface, used as formwork for the manufacturing of double curved panels in precast concrete. Results are presented of...

Modelling of factors impacting adoption of precast concrete systems

Construction technology utilizing prefabricated concrete elements is known as a ‘precast concrete system’. In Western countries, this system has been widely used in constructing bridges, office buildings and residential buildings. A precast concrete construction system provides the advantages of construction effectiveness, high levels of quality...

Precast 2010: Assembling Freeform Buildings in Precast Concrete

The influence of the connection characteristics on the seismic performance of precast concrete structures

Objective of the thesis is the study of the influence of the connection characteristics on the seismic performance of precast concrete structures. To that end a six storey high building with moment resisting frame was analyzed and designed. The precast concrete building consists of 3x6m span frames at 7.8m centre-to-centre in the transverse...