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Implementing a new line of defence to avoid the catastrophic collapse of precast buildings

Project description

New approach for robust precast systems

The spread of localised initial failures often leads to building collapses. The ERC Consolidator Grant Endure introduced a fuse-based segmentation design approach to address this issue, which was successfully tested on a full-scale precast building. However, its current complexity may impede widespread adoption. In this context, the EU-funded Encast project aims to simplify design procedures, develop user-friendly software, perform experimental demonstrations, and create a tailored exploitation strategy for fuse-based segmentation solutions in precast buildings. By achieving these goals, the project will facilitate the broader adoption of robust precast systems, leading to more affordable and sustainable buildings that enhance societal resilience.

Objective

Disastrous building collapses often occur due to the propagation of local-initial failures. Although effective for small initial failures, current design approaches addressing this issue can inadvertently increase the risk of catastrophic collapse propagation after large initial failures. The ERC Consolidator Grant Endure has introduced a novel fuse-based segmentation design approach to overcome this alarming limitation, successfully testing a full-scale precast building to validate its effectiveness. While this approach can be advantageous for different types of structures, its implementation in precast concrete buildings is key to maximizing its impact. Due to several advantages in terms of efficiency and sustainability, precast structures are being increasingly used for high-occupancy and critical buildings. Incorporating fuse-based segmentation in these structural systems would thus provide a new last line of defence against catastrophic failures in the buildings for which the consequences of such an occurrence are most severe. However, at this stage of development, the design of a fuse-based segmented precast building requires advanced computational analysis and several iterative procedures that are unfeasible for most building projects. Such complexity can hinder the adoption of fuse-based segmentation in practice. Therefore, truly unlocking the market penetration potential of fuse-based segmentation solutions for precast buildings requires cost-effective implementation tools and validation across a broader range of precast systems. Encast aims to bridge these gaps by simplifying design procedures, developing user-friendly software, performing experimental demonstrations, and crafting a tailored exploitation strategy for fuse-based segmentation solutions for precast buildings. The projects success will lead to wider adoption of robust precast systems, helping deliver more affordable and sustainable buildings that contribute to improving societal resilience.

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Host institution

UNIVERSITAT POLITECNICA DE VALENCIA
Net EU contribution
€ 150 000,00
Address
CAMINO DE VERA SN EDIFICIO 3A
46022 Valencia
Spain

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Region
Este Comunitat Valenciana Valencia/València
Activity type
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Links
Total cost
No data

Beneficiaries (1)