Seminar: Design of reinforcement for RC elements under the combined effect of applied loads and restrained shrinkage

The design of reinforcement for RC elements under the combined effect of applied loads and restrained shrinkage is a complex topic, which is nowadays still under open discussion wordwide. Indeed, it is quite relevant to promote the discussion of good practices in this concern, mainly due to the lack of regulatory framework for design under the two combined effects. To address this need for discussion, the Seminar ”Design of reinforced RC elements under the combined effect of applied loads and restrained shrinkage” took place in 19th May 2017 at ‘Ordem dos Engenheiros’ in Porto (Portugal). It was a free seminar, open to the practising community (design and construction), as well as students and academics. It intended to present the most recent scientific advances in the subject, and specifically address interactive discussions among designers. This initiative was held in the scope of the FCT Project “Integracrete - A comprehensive multi-physics and multi-scale approach to the combined effects of applied loads and thermal/shrinkage deformations in reinforced concrete structures”, under the combined initiative of the School of Engineering of the University of Minho (Department of Civil Engineering) and the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto (Department of Civil Engineering).

The event was preceded by a design challenge that had been proposed to several design offices in Portugal and abroad (A400, AdF, CENOR, KHP Leipzig,  Mott Macdonald, Newton and Streng). The results of such design challenge were presented and discussed during the seminar, together with the presence of representatives from the participating teams. All participating teams are gratefully thanked for their voluntary participation.