Samenvatting
Eurocode 3: Steel constructions, published in 1993, is an essential design guide for engineers working on steel structures, but it only applies to post 1993 designs. Assessing the load-bearing capacity of earlier steel structures is increasingly important for architects and engineers with a view to renovating and repurposing the built environment.This thesis aims to enhance understanding of the evolution of historic steel buildings in Belgium by examining the innovative calculation and construction methods, as well as the materials employed. This research investigates the changes in design and dimensioning of steel buildings in Belgium from the 1930s to the 1990s, so before the drafting of the Eurocode. Three key aspects are explored: the evolution of the material steel and its qualities used during this period, the available standards for calculating steel structures and the corresponding changes in design practices, and the identification of innovative Belgian buildings and the construction systems used.
The research primarily relied on the journals of the Belgian-Luxembourg Steel Information Centre (CBLIA) and the Belgian standard codes for steel structures (NBN standards). The CBLIA journals, including l'Ossature Métallique (1932-1954), Acier, Stahl, Steel (1955-1984) and Staal voor onze tijd/L’Acier pour notre temps (1986-2001), were extensively examined to understand the evolution of steel qualities, design methods, and innovative steel buildings constructed in Belgium from the 1930s to the 1990s. The NBN standards offered valuable insights into steel nomenclature and standardised calculation methods throughout the 20th century. A meticulous analysis of the journal articles, keyword searches, and cross-referencing techniques was employed to gather comprehensive and accurate information from the available sources.
In the 20th century, national standard codes are developed in Belgium to establish steel nomenclature and provide dimensioning methods, following international practices, mainly German standards. Initially, the focus lies on isostatic structures, but in the 1960s, a standard code for hyperstatic structures is introduced. Over time, these individual codes are consolidated and eventually replaced by Eurocode 3: Steel constructions in 1993.
From the CBLIA literature an overview of Belgian steel buildings and their construction methods is made. The use of steel in Belgian construction initially aims for lighter structures and to reduce foundation costs, influenced by reinforced concrete. Prefabrication starts already in the 1930s under the influence of the competing material reinforced concrete but reaches its peak in buildings such as the Technical Institute of Brussels (1960) and De Coene headquarters (1964). From the 1970s, reinforced concrete is becoming increasingly popular due to its high fire resistance leading to a decrease of Belgian steel structures mentioned in the journals in the 1980s and 1990s.
| Datum prijs | 26 jun. 2023 |
|---|---|
| Originele taal | English |
| Begeleider | Ine Wouters (Promotor), Marylise Parein (Advisor), Stephanie Van de Voorde (Jury), Rika Devos (Jury) & Simon De Nys-Ketels (Jury) |