Thermomechanical modelling for the establishment of a new building method for basements of conventional housings

This paper presents an interdisciplinary cooperation between structural engineering, concrete technology and formwork technology aiming at the establishment of an innovative building method for basements of conventional housings, named DokaBase. Its innovation consists of an integrative application of the external insulation as formwork already with the main benefits of (i) a simplified and accelerated construction process; (ii) a defined and precise mounting of the insulation; and (iii) the achievement of enhanced concrete quality at the outer surface of the concrete members providing watertightness without additional measures. However, the establishment of this solution in practice requires also targeted investigations on the effect of the presence of the insulation during the hydration and hardening of the concrete. In detail, the one-sided insulation is expected to cause higher temperature increases in the members as well as temperature gradients over the thickness of the slab and the wall. Therefore, detailed thermomechanical modelling was conducted on a macroscopic level. This contribution presents this thermomechanical modelling with special regard to interdisciplinary aspects of this cooperation in order to achieve the best possible acceptance of the results and conclusions for practical application.