BRE BR483 PDF

Summary

This report examines innovation in concrete frame construction over the past 10 years and looks into the future to predict likely drivers for future innovation. The report draws on the proceedings of a workshop held at BRE and detailed interviews with industry practitioners.

It finds that the research from the European Concrete Building Project at Cardington has had a positive impact on the concrete frame construction industry and that many of the innovations trialled there have become used and are regarded as important by industry. A study of other innovations that have changed the way in which concrete frames are designed and constructed identified lightweight formwork systems and computer-based software tools as having had the greatest impact.

The major trends and issues likely to be the focus of innovation in the concrete frame construction industry over the coming decade were identified as being green issues, efficiency of production and aspects of labour and training.