Investigation of a large-scale adaptive concrete beam with integrated fluidic actuators

As the world population keeps growing, so does the demand for new construction. Considering material resources are limited, it will be unfeasible to meet such demand employing conventional construction methods. A new resource-saving approach is provided by adaptive structures. Using sensors, actuators and control units, structures are enabled to adapt to loads, for example, to compensate for deformations. Since deformations are dominant in the design of bending-stressed load-bearing structures, adaptivity enables such structures to be realized using less material and achieving the same load-bearing capacity in comparison to conventional designs. This article presents a concrete beam of typical building dimensions that compensates deflections by means of integrated fluidic actuators. These actuators offer the possibility of reacting optimally to general loading. The investigation is carried out on an approximately 4-m-long beam with integrated hydraulic actuators. To ensure the overall functionality, accurate dimensioning of the beam as well as the hydraulic system is mandatory. Analytical design of the beam and actuation system are carried out for predimensioning. Experimental testing validates the function and demonstrates that the adaptive beam works as predicted. A fully compensation in deflection is possible. Therefore, a significant increase in load-bearing capacity is possible with the same material input compared to conventional beams.