BRE IP11/05 PDF

Introduction

The European Concrete Building Project[2] (also known as the Cardington project after the location of the test structure) sought to analyse and improve the production of concrete framed structures in the UK. It included the design and construction of a seven-storey reinforced concrete frame building in the BRE large building test facility at Cardington (Figure 1).

The project aims were to:

● re-engineer the design and construction process

● reduce costs and improve speed, quality and safety

● increase client value.

The project looked at both process engineering and performance testing aspects of concrete frame construction. Subsequent DTI-funded research disseminated information to industry.

Nine process innovations that formed part of the project are highlighted in this Information Paper. Comments on each innovation are given on their use in practice and the barriers to their adoption, which were developed at a workshop held at BRE in April 2005, and from interviews with representatives from industry. Interviewees rated the usefulness of each innovation and the average of the scores was converted into a percentage for comparison. Table 1 summarises the ‘usefulness rating' of nine innovations.

Further evidence of industry attitudes and drivers was collected in case studies of innovations on three commercial projects