The Reuse of Load-Bearing Systems

How far can we go when it comes to reuse load-bearing systems for new purposes? What are state-of-the-art design principles and methods? What are the current challenges and the needed research directions?

The Structural Xploration Lab is discussing these questions at the SBE19 – Buildings as Material Banks – A Pathway for a Circular Future conference, in Brussels this February 6-7, 2019. The event is unique in Europe as it exclusively gathers stakeholders (practitioners, researchers, government administrations) involved into the application of circular economy in the built environment (detailed program here). A paper authored by Jan Brütting, Catherine De Wolf, and Corentin Fivet, reviews the current state-of-the-art when it comes to design structural systems while reclaiming existing stocks of materials.

The reuse of load-bearing components
Jan Brütting, Catherine De Wolf, Corentin Fivet
IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 225 012025
DOI: 10.1088/1755-1315/225/1/012025
Full text PDF