Robustness - Robust structures by joint ductility

In view of recent disasters and their immense economical and human consequences more and more focus is given not only on the safety of structures - to reduce the risk for the life of people by collapse even under exceptional loading – but on minimizing the disastrous results and to enable a quick rebuilding and reuse. One crucial mean to achieve this aim is the design of redundant robust structures. Robustness prevents the collapse of the total structure when only parts of the structure are damaged or destroyed. To avoid progressive failure, redundant structures with inherent sufficient ductile behaviour allowing deformations when a local failure occurs, have to be built. Redundancy can be achieved by allowing force redistribution within a structural system. Therefore the single sections and joints have to be especially designed and optimized, not necessarily requiring additional fabrication costs. But until now no specific rules for robustness by ductile joints exist. The aim of the present project is to define general requirements for ductile joints as part of a structural system subjected to exceptional unforeseen loading.