Extended Producer Responsibility in the Construction Sector through Blockchain, BIM and Smart Contract Technologies

Poster (2020, December 09)

Despite the enormous amount of raw or secondary materials flowing within the construction industry, the actual available volume of materials and their respective End-of-Lifecycle (EoL) treatment is not ... [more ▼]

Despite the enormous amount of raw or secondary materials flowing within the construction industry, the actual available volume of materials and their respective End-of-Lifecycle (EoL) treatment is not regulated nor uniform. On top of that, the EoL responsibility of different stakeholders after the future building deconstruction is confusing and disputable. Consequently, different sustainability policies and metrics suffer from inaccurately reported volumes of circulating materials in the economy. Hence, this article aims to find a new way to improve and regulate the EoL treatment of recyclable materials and to create value for them. The ultimate goal of the proposed framework is to make original manufacturers responsible for the EoL treatment of their recyclable construction materials and products under the Extended Producers Responsibility (EPR) policy that is enacted in the European Union for sustainable management of waste streams. Adhering to the EPR is difficult for buildings as they are long-term and complex assets. A high degree of transparency, accuracy and security is required to correctly track the lifecycle information of building parts and their respective manufacturers for the EPR implementation. For this purpose, a framework is conceptualised based on the immutability and transparency of blockchain technology to remove trust and trace barriers in the current supply chain. The proposed conceptual model results from the synergy of Building Information Modelling (BIM) technology, material and component banks, blockchain technology and smart contracts for the EoL treatment of recyclable materials. As a result, a data-driven and closed-loop material cycle will be accomplished. This paper demonstrates that through self-executing smart contracts, a clear line of responsibility and ownership could be defined while manufacturers could be made accountable in the post-consumer phase of their construction products. [less ▲]

Eco-construction for sustainable development (Econ4SD) – Konzepte für Materialbanken

in Kaliske, Michael (Ed.) 24. Dresdner Baustatik-Seminar: Reality - Modeling - Structural Design (2020, October)

This contribution presents the joint research project Econ4SD – Eco-construction for sustainable development which investigates at the University of Luxembourg various aspects of sustainable design ... [more ▼]

This contribution presents the joint research project Econ4SD – Eco-construction for sustainable development which investigates at the University of Luxembourg various aspects of sustainable design, construction and operation to support a resource-efficient circular economy in the construction sector. In this context the fundamental approach of Design for deconstruction assumes a central role and is being discussed together with the complementary concept of Material banks and their digital twinning at the level of components, buildings and markets. [less ▲]

Eurocode 4 - DIN EN 1994-1-1 Bemessung und Konstruktion von Verbundtragwerken aus Stahl und Beton

Book published by Beuth - 1. Edition (2020)

Der Kommentar zu DIN EN 1994-1-1 richtet sich an alle Fachleute, die sich planend, bauend, prüfend oder überwachend mit der Bemessung, Konstruktion und Ausführung von Verbundtragwerken aus Stahl und Beton ... [more ▼]

Der Kommentar zu DIN EN 1994-1-1 richtet sich an alle Fachleute, die sich planend, bauend, prüfend oder überwachend mit der Bemessung, Konstruktion und Ausführung von Verbundtragwerken aus Stahl und Beton befassen. Er bietet eine Unterstützung bei der Auslegung und Anwendung der Norm in der Ingenieurpraxis. Besonderer Wert wird auf die Erläuterung der den Bemessungsregeln zugrunde liegenden mechanischen Modelle gelegt, um auch bei praktischen Fragestellungen, die nicht durch spezielle Anwendungsregeln im Eurocode 4 abgedeckt sind, eine sachgerechte Anwendung der Norm zu ermöglichen. Ergänzt wird das Buch durch eine Reihe typischer Beispiele aus dem Hochbau, sodass der Praktiker sich einfach und schnell in das Regelwerk einarbeiten kann. Darüber hinaus wird ein Einblick in den derzeitigen Diskussionsstand bei der Erarbeitung der Regelungen für die nächste Generation des Eurocode 4 gegeben und es wird auf wichtige, zu erwartende Änderungen und Ergänzungen hingewiesen. [less ▲]

A mechanical design model for steel and concrete composite members with web openings

in Engineering Structures (2019), Engineering Structures 197:109417(109417),

In web opening regions, a significant share of the global shear force is redistributed from the perforated web of the steel beam to the reinforced concrete (RC) slab. This redistribution leads to vertical ... [more ▼]

In web opening regions, a significant share of the global shear force is redistributed from the perforated web of the steel beam to the reinforced concrete (RC) slab. This redistribution leads to vertical forces in the shear connectors close to both edges of the opening and influences the internal forces in the steel beam and the RC slab over a length of approximately three times the opening length a0. The global shear failure in the web opening region is affected by the rather brittle behavior of the concrete and is either characterized by a diagonal shear cracking failure of the RC slab, or a local bending failure at the opening edges, or vertical connector failure (concrete break-out) at the ends of the opening. This paper is intended to clarify the structural behavior of web opening regions and proposes easy-to-use models that make it possible to analyze the local internal forces of each partial beam in a mechanically consistent manner. Based on these models, a novel design procedure is presented, that allows efficient design and dimensioning of web openings as well as prediction of shear resistance and failure mode. [less ▲]

Impact of reinforcement to moment resistance of composite slabs

in The 2019 World Congress on Advances in Structural Engineering and Mechanics (ASEM19) (2019, September 17)

Composite slabs lead to slim and economic structural solutions with a low selfweight. The determination of their moment resistance follows the regulations presented in EN 1994-1-1 (2004) which are based ... [more ▼]

Composite slabs lead to slim and economic structural solutions with a low selfweight. The determination of their moment resistance follows the regulations presented in EN 1994-1-1 (2004) which are based on plastic design methods. The current version of Eurocode 4 does not consider explicitly additional reinforcement in the ribs for sagging moment resistance. However, the construction industry requires this possibility in order to provide economical and flexible design. Regarding this situation, further investigations are necessary to prove the applicability of plastic design methods. In the case of high bottom reinforcement ratio, a deep position of the plastic neutral axis occurs, and concrete compression failure may happen before most parts of the profiled steel sheeting and reinforcement yield. This leads to an overestimation of the bending resistance according to the plastic design method. A parametric study, based on approximately 290.000 different combinations of various cross-section geometries and materials, is provided to compare the plastic moment resistance with the resistance determined by strain-limited design. The results show that limitations are necessary to be enabled for the general application of plastic design methods. [less ▲]

Tragverhalten von CoSFB-Dübeln

in Stahlbau (2019), 88(2019)(Heft 7),

Slim-floor or shallow floor construction is characterized by the integration of a steel beam into a slab. The activation of a composite action between the steel section and the concrete slab leads to a ... [more ▼]

Slim-floor or shallow floor construction is characterized by the integration of a steel beam into a slab. The activation of a composite action between the steel section and the concrete slab leads to a significant increase of the bending capacity and the stiffness of the beam, allowing for larger beam spans. This paper presents a fundamentally new method for assessing the load-bearing capacity of CoSFB-Dowels, which ensures a composite action of a composite slim-floor beam (CoSFB). Based on detailed analysis of push-out tests, extensive numerical simulations were performed in order to identify the contribution of various parameters on the load-bearing capacity. Finally, an analytical formulation of the load-bearing capacity is presented, which has been derived by applying a simple second order plasticity approach. [less ▲]

Entwicklung der Slim-Floor-Bauweise in Europa

in Stahlbau (2019), 88(2019)(7),

Slim-floor or also called shallow floor construction represents innovative composite beam systems for multi-storey buildings. These are rolled or welded steel profiles fully or partially integrated into ... [more ▼]

Slim-floor or also called shallow floor construction represents innovative composite beam systems for multi-storey buildings. These are rolled or welded steel profiles fully or partially integrated into the concrete slab. This construction method constitutes one of the most recent developments in steel-concrete composite construction and has become increasingly important in the last two decades. In this article, the construction method is explained as well as its development. [less ▲]

Project Team SC4 T6 interim reports April 2019 Draft EN 1994-1-1

Report (2019)

April draft of second generation for Eurocode 4: EN 1994-1-1; Outcome from SC4.T6

Slim-floor beam bending moment resistance considering partial shear connection

in Wald, Frantisek; Jandera, Michal (Eds.) Stability and Ductility of Steel Structures 2019 (2019)

Having the advantage of flat lower surface, high stiffness and integrated fire resistance, slim-floor composite beams are widely used and favoured in many design solutions. The current bending design ... [more ▼]

Having the advantage of flat lower surface, high stiffness and integrated fire resistance, slim-floor composite beams are widely used and favoured in many design solutions. The current bending design methods are mainly derived from plastic design methods for classical composite beam with consideration of the special features for slim-floor beams such as the transverse bending of bottom flange when used as support for slabs. Alternatively, more advanced strain-limited design method or FE-method can be used. In the case of full shear connection, with deep position of neutral axis and great compression zone height, there is a risk that plastic design method may overestimate the bending resistance of the cross section compared to the strain-limited design method. In the case of the partial shear connection, shear design diagram for slim-floor beams obtained by means of the strain-limited design can also differ significantly from the one obtained by plastic design method, thus further research on slim-floor beams is still necessary. [less ▲]

AVEC BNT - Analysis and Comparison of European and Chinese Design Codes - B. Script & Examples

Book published by BNT (2018)

In recent years, half of the newly constructed building floor areas in the world are built in China, thus it is important and interesting to know the Chinese design codes for buildings and compare them ... [more ▼]

In recent years, half of the newly constructed building floor areas in the world are built in China, thus it is important and interesting to know the Chinese design codes for buildings and compare them with Eurocodes, which are one of the most advanced design codes in the world. Funded by “Erasmus+ Strategic Partnerships” the project “AVEC BNT” was started in 2016 to compare the design codes mainly related to concrete structures and composite structures. This script is the main intellectual outputs from this project. It comprises codes background analysis, direct codes terms comparison and design examples. The script covers most of the design topics related to design of concrete structures and composite structure for building design as well as the design basics such as safety concept. It is a common achievements of students, researchers and professors from different universities and instructions of different countries. The main work is done at University of Luxembourg especially for the design basics part and the design of composite structure of steel and concrete. For design of concrete structure part, University of Applied Science Trier (Germany) and Thei (Hong Kong, China) has offered great helps and contributed many parts. To conform with the goals of Erasmus+ to promote the cooperation and mobility with the EU’ partner countries and to promote the sustainable development of its partners in the field of higher education and contribute to achieving the objectives of the EU Youth Strategy, the script involves many student’s work. The students could participate in the project through either joining special courses offered by the project partners, as well as, doing a student project, bachelor or master thesis related to this project. Further more the students participated within the transnational teaching activity weeks. With the guidance, the students were able to learn and compare difference design methods by EuroCodes and Chinese design codes and to cooperate with their colleges from different countries. To achieve good quality of the final script, which can be used as additional information and learn material for other students and engineers to learn about Eurocodes and Chinese codes for structural design. Also the work was edited into a uniform formatting to make it constant in style and easy to read. Although, besides the contribution from students, many other topics were added to make the documents complete, it was not possible to cover every topic in the codes due to the limited time and resources. Thus, topics such as fire design, seismic design, bridge design, pre-stressed structures and others are not within the scope of the work. The scripts are divided into 7 sub chapters and many small topics. Each topic has two main documents for Eurocodes and Chinese codes. The main documents have same list of contents, which allows readers to compare the design aspects from the two codes systems easily side by side. Besides that, each topic is also provided with a general summary of comparison, which points out the most important difference and general overview of the design. In the documents not only the content of the codes but also the background information is discussed, which will help students and engineers to understand not only the difference of design but also the reasons behind it. [less ▲]