Bent up bars: assessment and implementation of outdated reinforcement configurations in existing concrete structures

Bent up bars were prescribed as shear reinforcement in the first half of the twentieth century, stirrups after the 1960’s. In current Eurocode, bent up bars can be applied again, but restrictions with respect to the maximum shear strength should be followed. Goal of this report is to provide background for this shear strength restriction and...

Museum in Sequences: Incorporating a Museum of Contemporary Art into an Existing Court Building

This year‘s graduation studio of Interiors Building Cities focuses on the redevelopment of the M HKA (Museum van Hedendaagse Kunst Antwerpen) in Belgium. In the context of an industrial metropolis like Antwerp, museums have evolved from spaces of representation and power structures to spaces for critique. Artists have repurposed disused...

Time-dependent reliability assessment of existing concrete bridges with varying knowledge levels by proof load testing

In the evaluation of existing bridges and viaducts, relying solely on a desk study is often inadequate for determining their structural reliability. Performing a proof load test provides valuable field data that offers detailed information about the structural integrity. However, the relation between the magnitude of the load and the...

Thus the city within

A palatial building rests by Rue de Bois Sauvage of Brussels, an intimate street located at the exact point where the lower historic city ends and upper bureaucratic city starts. The Palace remains like a parasite of a larger introverted structure that fortifies an entire urban block to hide the offices of the National Bank of Belgium. The...

Uncovering Threshold Spaces

"Uncovering Thresold Spaces" is about uncovering and designing a sunken architecture landscape. The intervention ties different layers of the built environment, human movement and the surrounding to regenerate the existing metro station. As well as, providing a place where students, commuters, or people from around wanting a break, can come.<br/...

Reliability assessment of existing reinforced concrete bridges and viaducts through proof load testing

In the assessment of existing infrastructure performing only a desk study is often not sufficient to determine the structural reliability of a bridge or viaduct. For concrete structures gathering field data by performing a proof load test offers detailed information about the structural performance. However, the relation between the magnitude...

A closed-form shear resistance model for regions of prestressed beams without flexural cracks

When the shear resistance of prestressed beams with stirrups is determined with the current Eurocode, no distinction is made between regions with and without flexural cracks. This while it may be expected that a region without flexural cracks will have a higher shear resistance. This is due to the lower longitudinal strains and the narrow...

Optimal Vertical Extension: A study on costs and environmental impact for structural engineers

The motivation to adapt a building in terms of an upward vertical extension lies within the need for urban renewable programs. Although this practice has significant supports to make the built environment more sustainable, there are also barriers which invariably concern costs. In the case of vertical extension projects, the constructional and...

Structural assessment of existing timber roof structures for green roofs in Rotterdam

Green roofs, also known as vegetation roofs, are becoming very popular for residents of houses or apartments and for good reasons. Vegetation on rooftops have many benefits on global and local level. Expectations show that the climate change will lead to heavier storms and causes the sewers in Rotterdam to overflow. Hence, the municipality of...

Structural assessment of existing timber roof structures for green roofs in Rotterdam

Green roofs, also known as vegetation roofs, are becoming very popular for residents of houses or apartments and for good reasons. Vegetation on rooftops have many benefits on global and local level. Expectations show that the climate change will lead to heavier storms and causes the sewers in Rotterdam to overflow. Hence, the municipality of...

Limit-State Design of a Steel Storage Tank Foundation on a Crushed Rock Ring Based on Proven Soil Strength

New vertical steel storage tanks founded on a shallow foundation of a crushed rock ring are planned at the same location of former storage tanks. The dimensions, loads and foundation of the new tanks are identical to the old tanks which were erected 40 years ago and demolished a few years ago. Despite the fact that the new tanks are identical to...

Retrofitting of Existing Infrastructure Structures with Advanced Cementitious Materials (ACM's)

Existing structures are built according to the valid codes at that time and reaching their design life time. The traffic loads and traffic intensity has also increased. In addition, the existing reinforced concrete structures are exposed to degradation mechanisms, like chlorides and carbonation during their lifetime. Existing concrete road...

Service life and life cycle cost modelling of cathodic protection systems for concrete structures

Corrosion of reinforcing steel in concrete structures causes concrete cracking, steel diameter reduction and eventually loss of safety. In infrastructure this is mainly due to penetration of chloride ions from de-icing or marine salts. Conventional repair means heavy, labour intensive and costly work and economic pressures (time and money) work...

Safety assessment of existing highway bridges and viaducts

The assessment of the structural safety of existing br idges and viaducts becomes increasingly important in many countries owing to an increase in traffic loads. Most existing standards, however, are developed for the design of new structures. For this reason, an assessment method for determining the actual safety level of highway bridges and...

Safety philosophy for existing structures and partial factors for traffic loads on bridges

Evaluating and upgrading existing structures becomes more and more important. For a large part of the existing infrastructure and buildings the design life has been reached or will be reached in the near future. These structures need to be reassessed in order to find out whether the safety requirements are met. Not only for new structures but...