TG3.2 - Modeling of structural performance of existing concrete structures

It is widely understood and accepted that existing concrete structures are different entities to contemporary new concrete structures. There are numerous flexibilities inherent to the process of the design of new concrete structures and in their construction. Existing structures are entities that can, in principle, be interrogated and assessed to establish their actual nature and condition. However, such processes have their difficulties and uncertainties and it is in fact often very difficult to interrogate an existing structure. These difficulties increase when an existing structure has experienced damage or deterioration. Accordingly, substantial and different uncertainties remain with respect to existing structures and these uncertainties need to be taken into account in the structural assessment process.

During recent years Task Group 3.2 has distinguished three main areas relevant for the determination of the structural behaviour of existing structures:

• The real bearing capacity of existing structures: in order to make as much as possible use of the residual bearing capacity of existing structures, advanced behavioural models are necessary;
• The bearing capacity of structures with components damaged due to deterioration;
• The bearing capacity of structures designed on the basis of old codes or recommendations, not anymore meeting the actual state of the art.

A state of the art bulletin dealing with the subjects mentioned previously has recently been produced by TG 3.2. For the forthcoming period focus will be directed to aspects that have turned out to be important, but suffer from the absence of particular knowledge. This applies particularly to:

• The bearing capacity of structures with corroded reinforcement;
• Optimizing proof-loading procedures and interpretation of the results;
• Optimum use of the Levels of Approximation approach when assessing structural safety, serviceability and remaining service life.

Convener
Dario Coronelli

Co-Convener
Kamyab Zandi

View all members

get in touch access network documents

• WP3.2.1

WP3.2.1 - Assessment of half joints

 

A half joint is a structural solution that is known to be problematic. The lack of structural redundancy deems these elements critical, as seen in collapsing of the Concorde bridge in Canada and the Annone bridge in Italy. In practice, engineers are facing various challenges when assessing the safety of such structures. These challenges mainly fall into the following aspects

 

This task group will focus on the structural analysis, assessment and monitoring of half joint. To be more specific, the following aspects will be covered:

• Modelling techniques for half joints, with complex geometry and reinforcement design. Examples are: half joints with distributed hanger and diagonal reinforcement, half joint plate structures combined with torsional moment in width direction. The approaches include: strut-and-tie methods, kinematically based methods and numerical modelling.
• Modelling of half joints with typical non-conforming detailing’s: diagonal and horizontal reinforcement with insufficient anchorage, hanger reinforcement bent in wrong direction, hanger reinforcement with insufficient anchorage, etc.
• Advanced inspection methods for internal damage (cracking) of half joints. This includes inspection methods for internal crack and corrosion damage.
• Modelling the residual capacity of half joints with known corrosion damage.
• The development of an estimation tool for the global structural reliability based on inspection data and damage-based half joint models.

 

Convener
Yuguang Yang

View all members

get in touch access network documents

First name	Last name	Country	Affiliation
Yang	Yuguang	Netherlands	TU Delft
Fernández-Ordóñez	David	Switzerland	fib
Caspeele	Robby	Belgium	Ghent University
Vergoossen	Rob	Netherlands	Haskoning
Laaksonen	Anssi	Finland	Tampere University of Technology
Coronelli	Dario	Italy	Politecnico di Milano
di Prisco	Marco	Italy	Politecnico di Milano
Orlando	Maurizio	Italy	Università degli Studi di Firenze
Mihaylov	Boyan	Belgium	University of Liege
Rinaldi	Zila	Italy	University of Rome “Tor Vergata”
Belletti	Beatrice	Italy	Univ. degli Studi di Parma - Engineering and Architecture
Zhang	Fengqiao	Netherlands	TU Delft

TG3.3 - Existing Concrete Structures: Life Management, Testing and Structural Health Monitoring

The Task Group 3.3 (TG 3.3) specifies and extends their focus in the framework of Non-Destructive-Testing (NDT) and Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) required for the through-life management of existing concrete structures according to the following:

• Concepts for extension of service life of reinforced concrete structures supported by NDT and SHM;
• Specific testing/ specific monitoring; testing/ techniques combined with autonomous robotic systems (remote monitoring systems) or based on digital images as well as innovative self-monitoring materials (repair, strengthening);
• Monitoring of site-specific load actions (e.g. traffic loads, etc.);
• Data management for reinforced concrete structures using NDT/SHM: data reporting and data analysis of NDT/SHM applying AI;
• Reliability assessment of NDT/SHM methods applied on reinforced concrete;
• Building Information Modelling (BIM) and Digital Twins (DT) for existing concrete structures as a decision-making tool using NDT/SHM data; implementation of SHM in BIM;
• Decision-making on structural level to foster the transformation from periodic to predictive/preventive maintenance including the assessment on the environmental impact of the decision: How can NDT/SHM contribute to operate our infrastructure in the most sustainable way?
• SHM guidelines for newly designed complex concrete structures concerning their exploitation phase, also including BIM and DT.

Convener
Sylvia Kessler

Co-Convener
Maria Pina Limongelli

View all members

get in touch access network documents

TG3.4 - Selection and implementation of interventions/through-life management activities and measures for concrete structures

The focus is on the selection and implementation of interventions, especially advanced methods for structural retrofit, and through-life management activities and measures for concrete structures.

The following aspects related to the intervention are addressed:

• Types of intervention methods with focus on advanced strengthening techniques
• Materials for intervention with focus on high performance materials
• Development of suitable design method for intervention
• Consideration of application methods with respect to execution and installation requirements as well as quality assurance
• Assessment of long-term performance, maintenance and possible future re-intervention
• Incorporation of sustainability aspects in design of interventions including LCA quantification
• Selection method for intervention and potential incorporation of AI, including information needed for design/execution

Convener
Norbert Randl

Co-Convener
Giuseppe Mancini

View all members

get in touch access network documents

TG3.5 - Forensic engineering

We have an enormous and an ever-increasing heritage of reinforced and prestressed concrete structures, many of which are currently approaching the end of their intended service life. However, there are pressing societal, economic and environmental needs to safely extend the service lives of many of these structures. This poses a delicate and challenging task if we are to make appropriate decisions on the through-life management and care of these constructed assets to achieve this while avoiding transferring an excessive burden onto the next generation. To do this we need a better understanding of the real behaviours of structures, why they may not achieved the required performance and, ultimately, what may cause them to fail.

Scope:

• To advance the use of techniques, processes and procedures employed in forensic engineering studies and to undertake forensic investigations – the scientific and engineering process.
• Examine how forensic engineering studies can provide improved understanding of the performance and behaviours of constructed assets (i.e. the lessons learned), with the goals of formulating improved models, identifying deficiencies / limitations and desired improvements in professional practice, etc including (amongst others) those concerned with:
• Structural safety and performance
• The economic aspects of performance / through-life cost (potentially in conjunction with TG8.4)
• Post-fire assessment of existing buildings (in conjunction with TG2)
• Durability aspects (in conjunction with COM8)
• To facilitate feedback from the understanding gained from forensic engineering studies into professional practice to improve the through-life performance of structures and buildings, such as the achievement of performance requirements, durability etc. This would include liaison and feedback as appropriate to fib Commissions and other collaborating bodies.
• Investigate how the provisions of fib MC2020 / the fib Model Code for Concrete Structures facilitate forensic investigations and the benefits arising thereof.
• To advise what changes / additions are required in future editions of the fib Model Code for Concrete Structures from the understanding gained from forensic engineering studies and to facilitate the application of forensic engineering / forensic investigations of structural condition and performance.
• To work with other fib Commissions / other bodies as appropriate

Convener
Daniele Zonta

Co-Convener
Frank Papworth

View all members

get in touch access network documents

TG3.6 - Quality Management of Concrete Structures

Quality Management (QM) can be defined as the systematic planning and control of processes concerning their quality through suitable activities and measures to achieve the required product or service standards. In business, QM refers to a management function that incorporates all organisational measures to monitor and improve processes and thus achieve the required product and service quality standards.

Scope:

From the state of the art, a comprehensive QM framework must involve key dimensions to ensure that C&RC structures meet the required standards and perform as expected over their lifespan. A general framework will be established to relate the principles of quality management to the realization of specific safety levels, as well as environmental and other targets. The importance of competence among all involved personnel will be highlighted, as performance is often hindered by a lack of understanding rather than intent. More precisely, this includes (Figure 1):

• Material Quality: Ensuring that the concrete and reinforcements meet the specified standards and are made from high-quality materials through certified processes.
• Design Quality: Ensuring that the structural design adheres to relevant codes and standards, and it can withstand the expected loads and environmental conditions.
• Construction Quality: Ensuring the construction process, including explicit quality control measures, follows the design specifications and quality standards.
• Inspection and Testing: Ensuring inspection and testing to verify that the materials and construction processes meet the required standards.
• Documentation and Record Keeping: Ensuring the maintenance of detailed records of all materials, tests, inspections, and construction activities, including the creation of an as-built "Birth Certificate".
• Training and Competence: Ensuring that all personnel involved in the design and construction process are adequately trained, competent, and qualified.
• Health and Safety: Ensuring that all construction activities are carried out safely, protecting the health and safety of workers and the public.
• Environmental Considerations: Ensuring the construction process minimises impact on the environment.
• Structural Robustness: Ensuring that quality management processes contribute to assuring overall structural robustness against unforeseen events.

Convener
Alfred Strauss

Co-Convener
Konrad Bergmeister

View all members

get in touch access network documents

TG3.7 - Integrated Limit State Assessment and Expert Framework for Existing Concrete Structures

Within the activities on existing concrete structures, it has been agreed to establish Task Group TG 3.7, addressing both the development of a comprehensive verification framework and the clarification of expert involvement in the assessment process.

Scope:

The overall aim of TG 3.7 is to develop a practice-oriented limit state verification framework for the assessment of existing concrete structures, while also defining the roles, responsibilities, and required expert input throughout the assessment process. The framework will integrate all relevant aspects from data acquisition and measurements through to limit state verification, taking due account of recent developments within fib in relation to durability, structural assessment, reliability-based approaches, repair and strengthening. It will also appropriately consider specific characteristics of existing structures, such as uncertainties, spatial variability, and the updating of information based on additional knowledge (e.g. inspection and monitoring).

Convener
Alfred Strauss

Co-Convener
Robby Caspeele

View all members

get in touch access network documents

• WP3.7.1 - Integrated Limit State Verification Framework for Existing Concrete Structures
• WP3.7.2 - Expert Roles and Responsibilities for the Assessment of Existing Concrete Structures

WP3.7.1 - Integrated Limit State Verification Framework for Existing Concrete Structures

 

The assessment of existing reinforced and prestressed concrete structures is becoming increasingly important due to the ageing of infrastructure worldwide, increasing maintenance demands, sustainability requirements, and the need for safe and economically efficient service life extension strategies. In contrast to the design of new structures, the assessment of existing structures requires the explicit consideration of uncertainties related to material properties, structural detailing, deterioration processes, construction quality, loading history, and incomplete documentation. At the same time, additional knowledge obtained through inspections, testing, measurements, and monitoring allows uncertainties to be progressively reduced and structural reliability to be updated.

 

The framework will be developed for different Levels of Approximation (LoA), ranging from semi-probabilistic to fully probabilistic approaches, and will include:

• time-dependent aspects of degradation processes using annual verification concepts;
• uncertainties in deterioration initiation and propagation phases;
• updating procedures based on inspection and monitoring information;
• qualitative and quantitative assessment approaches depending on the extent and severity of deterioration.

 

Convener
Robby Caspeele

Co-convener
Beatrice Belletti

View all members

get in touch access network documents

First name	Last name	Country	Affiliation
Fernández-Ordóñez	David	Switzerland	fib
Caspeele	Robby	Belgium	Ghent University
Strauss	Alfred	Austria	BOKU University
Belletti	Beatrice	Italy	Univ. degli Studi di Parma - Engineering and Architecture

WP3.7.2 - Expert Roles and Responsibilities for the Assessment of Existing Concrete Structures

 

The assessment of existing reinforced and prestressed concrete structures is a highly interdisciplinary process requiring the integration of expertise from structural engineering, materials science, durability assessment, inspection, monitoring, reliability analysis, repair engineering, and infrastructure management. In contrast to the design of new structures, the assessment of existing structures is characterized by incomplete information, uncertainties in structural behaviour and deterioration processes, and the necessity to continuously interpret and update information obtained from inspections, measurements, testing, and monitoring.

 

The increasing complexity of assessment procedures, particularly when dealing with deteriorated and ageing structures, requires a clear definition of expert involvement throughout the entire assessment workflow. While technical methodologies for structural verification are continuously advancing, engineering practice still lacks harmonized guidance regarding:

• the required expertise at the different stages of the assessment process;
• the interaction between experts from different disciplines;
• the interpretation and validation of assessment results;
• the allocation of responsibilities;
• and the integration of expert judgement into engineering decision-making.

 

Convener
Alfred Strauss

Co-convener
Robby Caspeele

View all members

get in touch access network documents