• Official websites use .govA.govwebsite belongs to an official government organization in the United States. • Secure .gov websites use HTTPSAlock(LockA locked padlock) orhttps://means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. • Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. • https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2025/09/nist-engineers-design-5-new-ways-connect-concrete-pieces-more-resilient NIST Engineers Design 5 New Ways to Connect Concrete Pieces for More Resilient Buildings Share Precast concrete is an efficient and cost-effective building material made in a factory instead of at a construction site. • One of the biggest challenges with precast concrete is connecting the concrete pieces at a job site. • Working with industry, NIST has designed five new connections for precast concrete buildings that will make them more resilient.
Article Summaries:
- NIST researchers have created five new connection techniques for precast concrete, aiming to strengthen the weakest points in modular building construction. The methods, developed by structural engineer Malcolm Ammons and his team, are designed to keep precast beams and columns firmly joined while allowing controlled, predictable failure under extreme stress such as earthquakes, floods, or explosions. By directing strain into flexible steel connectors rather than brittle concrete, the connections reduce the risk of disproportionate collapse-a major safety concern in precast structures. The innovations promise more resilient buildings and could lower construction costs by improving quality control in factory‑made concrete components.
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