After finishing the experimental, computational and analytical phases focused on precast structures, we are now in a critical phase of the Endure project. We have finalised the design of the subassembly tests to evaluate the fuse-based segmentation concept. We are also performing preliminar tests on structural fuses and we will start the subassembly tests campaign in the coming months.
The design philosophy of structural fuses focuses on the controlled separation of specific structural elements to prevent collapse propagation. They must be activated upon exceeding a particular threshold, determined by the expected evolution of forces in the structure during progressive collapse events. This is necessary to ensure that the fuse is neither being activated too early, disrupting the service/operational condition, nor too late, so the collapse has already propagated. Research was also conducted for possible structural fuses. It was concluded that modified mechanical connections (rebar coupler) were the best solution. We plan to perform a systematic test campaign comprising about 50 tensile tests (bare bar/in the air) to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of such fuses.
In the coming months, we plan to perform scaled-down subassembly tests representing a part of a complete structural system. The subassemblies are selected and designed carefully to allow a thorough observation of the structural behaviour before and after the fuse activation. Each subassembly will comprise three main parts: 1) the collapsing part where the collapse front is propagating from; 2) the intact part that represents the part of the building that is being protected from the collapse; 3) the segment border that represents the junction (intersection) between the collapsing and the intact part. The segment border is designed to prevent the collapse from propagating beyond. Lastly, the intact part is designed to mimic the behaviour of the remaining parts of the structure and provides some degree of restraint.
These tests will be part of the Endure project research, which has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement no. 1101000396).
