Connections are among the most essential parts in precast structures. Their performance relates to the structural limit states, as well as to manufacture of the precast elements and erection and maintenance of the structure itself. Proper design of connections is one major key to a successful prefabrication. The principal aim of fib Bulletin 43 is to encourage good practice in the design of structural connections in precast concrete structures. This is achieved through a good understanding of structural connections as parts of the overall structural system and of basic force transferring mechanisms. The bulletin consists of two parts; the first part concerns general considerations and philosophy in the design of structural connections, and the second part deals with basic force transferring mechanisms within structural connections. The main focus is on the design of structural connections with regard to their structural function in ordinary design situations in the serviceability and ultimate limit states, and in accidental/abnormal design situations, like fire, lack of fit and impact/accidental loads. Other aspects considered include production, handling and site erection of elements, building physics, durability and maintenance. Bulletin 43 applies to structural connections for precast concrete buildings, although the information on basic force transfer mechanisms can also be applicable to other types of prefabricated structures.

The aim of this state-of-art report is to present current practices for use of precast and prestressed concrete in countries in seismic regions, to recommend good practice, and to discuss current developments. The report has been drafted by 30 contributors from nine different countries. This state-of-art report covers: state of the practice in various countries; advantages and disadvantages of incorporating precast reinforced and prestressed concrete in construction; lessons learned from previous earthquakes; construction concepts; design approaches; primary lateral load resisting systems (precast and prestressed concrete frame systems and structural walls including dual systems) diaphragms of precast and prestressed concrete floor units; modelling and analytical methods; gravity load resisting systems; foundations; and miscellaneous elements (shells, folded plates, stairs and architectural cladding panels). Design equations are reported where necessary, but the emphasis is on principles. Ordinary cast-in-place reinforced concrete is not considered in this report. This fib state-of-the-art report is intended to assist designers and constructors to provide safe and economical applications of structural precast concrete and at the same time to allow innovation in design and construction to continue. This Bulletin N° 27 was approved as an fib state-of-art report in autumn 2002 byfib Commission 7, Seismic design.

This second edition of Precast Concrete Structures introduces the conceptual design ideas for the prefabrication of concrete structures and presents a number of worked examples that translate designs from BS 8110 to Eurocode EC2, before going into the detail of the design, manufacture, and construction of precast concrete multi-storey buildings. Detailed structural analysis of precast concrete and its use is provided and some details are presented of recent precast skeletal frames of up to forty storeys. The theory is supported by numerous worked examples to Eurocodes and European Product Standards for precast reinforced and prestressed concrete elements, composite construction, joints and connections and frame stability, together with extensive specifications for precast concrete structures. The book is extensively illustrated with over 500 photographs and line drawings.

This document has a broad scope and is not focussed on design issues. Precast construction under seismic conditions is treated as a whole. The main principles of seismic design of different structural systems, their behavior and their construction techniques are presented through rules, construction steps and sequences, procedures, and details that should lead to precast structures built in seismic areas complying with the fundamental performance requirements of collapse prevention and life safety in major earthquakes and limited damage in more frequent earthquakes. The content of this document is largely limited to conventional precast construction and, although some information is provided on the well-known “PRESSS technology” (jointed ductile dry connections), this latter solution is not treated in detail in this document. The general overview, contained in this document, of alternative structural systems and connection solutions available to achieve desired performance levels, intends to provide engineers, architects, clients, and end-users (in general) with a better appreciation of the wide range of applications that modern precast concrete technology can have in various types of construction from industrial to commercial as well as residential. Lastly, the emphasis on practical aspects, from conceptual design to connection detailing, aims to help engineers to move away from the habit of blindly following prescriptive codes in their design, but instead go back to basic principles, in order to achieve a more robust understanding, and thus control, of the seismic behaviour of the structural system as a whole, as well as of its components and individual connections.

This guide to precast prestressed concrete (PSC) introduces and applies principles for the design of PSC slabs, thermal slabs, beam and block flooring and main beams, including (where appropriate) cantilevers, and composite and continuous construction. The book provides numerous worked examples for a wide range of PSC elements and covers the innovative use of PSC on several projects in the UK over the past ten years, drawing on the authors' first-hand experience in the design and manufacture of special products. The contents are in line with latest revisions of the Eurocodes and European Product Standards. Precast Prestressed Concrete for Building Structures is ideal for consulting structural engineers, clients, PSC manufacturers, and advanced undergraduate and graduate students, both as a guide and a textbook.

Since the 1980’s, several buildings throughout the world have been subject to gas explosions, impact by cars or airplanes, or car bomb attacks. In many cases the effect of the impact or explosion has been the failure of a critical structural member at the perimeter of the building. After the failure, the load supported by that member could not be redistributed and part or all of the structure has collapsed in a progressive manner. The phenomenon that occurs when local failure is not confined to the area of initial distress, and spreads horizontally and/or vertically through the structure, is termed progressive collapse. Progressive collapse is a relatively rare event, as it requires both an accidental action to cause local damage and a structure that lacks adequate continuity, ductility, and redundancy to prevent the spread of damage. It is technically very difficult and economically prohibitive to design buildings for absolute safety. However it is possible to construct precast concrete buildings that afford an acceptable degree of safety with regard to accidental actions. A structure is normally designed to respond properly, without damage, under normal load conditions, but local and/or global damages cannot be avoided under the effect of an unexpected, but moderate degree of accidental overload. Properly designed and constructed structures usually possess reasonable probability not to collapse catastrophically under such loads, depending on different factors, for example: the type of loading; the degree and the location of accidental loading in regard to the structure and its structural members; the type of structural system, the construction technology, and the spans between structural vertical members, etc. No structure can be expected to be totally resistant to actions arising from an unexpected and extreme cause, but it should not be damaged to an extent that is disproportionate to the original cause. The aim of fib Bulletin 63 is to summarize the present knowledge on the subject and to provide guidance for the design of precast structures against progressive collapse. This is addressed in terms of (a) the classification of the actions, (b) their effect on the structural types, (c) the strategies to cope with such actions, (d) the design methods and (e) some typical detailing, all supplemented with illustrations from around the world, and some model calculations.

Seismic Vulnerability Assessment of Civil Engineering Structures at Multiple Scales: From Single Buildings to Large-Scale Assessment provides an integrated, multiscale platform for fundamental and applied studies on the seismic vulnerability assessment of civil engineering structures, including buildings with different materials and building typologies. The book shows how various outputs obtained from different scales and layers of assessment (from building scale to the urban area) can be used to outline and implement effective risk mitigation, response and recovery strategies. In addition, it highlights how significant advances in earthquake engineering research have been achieved with the rise of new technologies and techniques. The wide variety of construction and structural systems associated with the complex behavior of their materials significantly limits the application of current codes and building standards to the existing building stock, hence this book is a welcomed guide on new construction standards and practices. - Provides the theoretical backgrounds on the most advanced seismic vulnerability assessment approaches at different scales and for most common building typologies - Covers the most common building typologies and the materials they are made from, such as concrete, masonry, steel, timber and raw earth - Presents practical guidelines on how the outputs coming from such approaches can be used to outline effective risk mitigation and emergency planning strategies