Tests on a Full-Scale Precast Building for Robustness Assessment

As modern society faces unprecedented challenges related to climate stability and conflict, the need to design more sustainable and resilient buildings is undeniable. Several studies show that building with precast concrete components can result in significant advantages with respect to sustainability. However, the fact that such structures exhibit clear lines of weakness at the joints between elements can make them more vulnerable to progressive collapse. Although this can be overcome by adequate detailing of connections, there exist several uncertain factors which may affect the interaction between different precast elements and the global behaviour of such structural systems. This means that experimental testing is usually required for safe development of adequate solutions. Despite this fact, there have been very few studies on the robustness of precast concrete structures when compared to research on cast-in-place and steel structures. As such, this work presents the results of an ambitious experimental campaign involving the sudden removal of 3 different columns from a specifically built 15 m x 12 m two-storey precast concrete building incorporating simple and practical solutions to enhance robustness.