New hybrid concrete design guide

The Concrete Centre's 'Design of Hybrid Concrete Buildings' highlights the benefits of hybrid concrete construction.

Despite offering the 'best of both worlds, UK designers have been slow to realise the benefits of hybrid concrete construction (HCC).

One of the barriers to the use of HCC has been the lack of comprehensive guidance.

This has now been addressed by The Concrete Centre's 'Design of Hybrid Concrete Buildings'.

Hybrid concrete construction marries together the advantages of precast and insitu concrete construction with often significant benefits.

In terms of costs, insitu reinforced concrete is commonly viewed as being the most economic framing option while precast concrete promotes speed and factory quality.

Combining the two as a hybrid frame results in even greater construction speed, quality and overall economy.

Some HCC techniques can remove the need for follow-on trades such as ceilings and finishes.

This allows for an even faster programme.

HCC also encourages speed of construction by promoting increased buildability, which should be a fundamental design objective.

The new design guide, authored by Robin Whittle and Howard Taylor, provides authoritative and technical information.

It considers a range of hybrid concepts and their overall structural aspects.

It provides design and detailing information for some of the more common systems used and the structural elements involved.

Where applicable, the information is in accordance with Eurocode 2.

A number of case studies are provided.

The use of precast and in-situ concrete may result in the deisgn the indivisual elements by designers working for different companies.

Here, the guide highlights the needs for a single named designer or engineer who retains overall responsibility for the structure's stability and compatibility of the design and details of the parts and components.

This is especially important if misunderstandings as to who is responsible are to be avoided.

The time is right for hybrid construction.

The UK construction industry has been criticised for its need to move on from its inherent conservatism and modernise to increase efficiency.

If the industry is to answer its critics and modernise, then it has to examine the potential of different construction techniques and contractual arrangements.

HCC is about providing best value.

It is not necessarily about first cost, although this alone can result in hybrid concrete construction being chosen.

Gains from improved buildability on site soon overtake any material cost differences.

Inherent benefits, such as occupier comfort and increased efficiency, lead to potentially massive cost benefits in comparison with other structural approaches.

For the full potential of economy, safety, speed, buildability and performance to be realised then HCC should be considered at the beginning of the design process.

The design guide explains how that full potential can be achieved.

Copies of the 'Design of Hybrid Concrete Buildings', CCIP-030, GBP45, are available from the Concrete Bookshop.

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