Endure aims to develop a novel fuse-based segmentation design approach to arrest the propagation of failures in building structures subjected to extreme events.
Extreme events (e.g. floods, vehicle impacts, explosions) often cause initial failures of critical elements in buildings. Such local failures can propagate to other parts of the structure, resulting in a disproportionate collapse that extends to the entire structure or to a large part of it and has huge negative consequences for society. As the world faces more frequent and intense extreme events, it is now more important than ever to design robust structures that are insensitive to initial damage. At present, most robustness design methods included in relevant codes rely on providing extensive continuity within a structural system to ensure that alternative load paths are available to redistribute loads supported by a structural element after its failure. Although this approach can be effective, it can also increase the risk of a disproportionate collapse in some situations. These include, for example, cases of large initial failure or of buildings with wide spans between columns. In such cases, continuity can contribute to a collapsing part pulling down other parts of the structure that would otherwise be unaffected. To address this limitation of current design methods, a novel fuse-based segmentation approach is being developed in Endure. This approach synergistically combines the advantages of two opposite concepts: continuity and segmentation. The structural system is designed with sufficient continuity to prevent collapse after small initial failures. At the same time, it is also designed to segment into different parts after larger initial failures that inevitably trigger a collapse, effectively isolating the collapse.
To achieve its overall aim, Endure is organised in three scientific work packages (WPs). WP1 aims to develop a performance-based framework for the design of fuse-based segmented buildings. WP2 focuses on designing, manufacturing and testing segment borders for achieving fuse-based segmentation. WP3 involves validating the effectiveness of the proposed approach by implementing it in three full-scale buildings of different structural type and testing them. The three types of structures that are to be tested as part of the project are precast reinforced concrete (RC), monolithic RC, and steel/composite frame buildings.
