Applications of aluminium alloys in civil engineering

Abstract

Subject reviewAlthough aluminium is a long known structural material, its use is not in accordance with the benefits achieved by its implementation. There are several reasons for such an adverse state. Those that stand out are the late development of a regulative framework for the design of structures, and still the need for improvement, lack of knowledge on application examples and not stressed enough potential areas of use. However, positive trends are present and aluminium alloys are competitive, especially if their positive properties can be utilized and negative properties diminished through purpose oriented design approach. Given examples present good application utilization of aluminium alloys characteristics, and shown new application research can provide directions for further expansion of competitiveness. Structural uses are grouped in suitable areas of application and put into local and global context. Keywords: bridge; façade; refurbishment; roof system; seismic Primjene aluminijskih legura u građevinarstvuPregledni članak Iako je aluminij već dugo prisutan konstrukcijski materijal, uporaba mu nije u skladu s dobrobitima koji se ostvaruju njegovom primjenom. Nekoliko je uzročnika takvog stanja. Ističu se relativno kasni razvoj normativnog okvira za dimenzioniranje konstrukcija, i još uvijek potreba za poboljšanjem, nedovoljna raširenost saznanja o primjenama te nedostatno naglašena potencijalna područja primjene. Međutim, pozitivni trendovi su prisutni, a legure aluminija su konkurentne, posebno ako se njegova pozitivna svojstva mogu iskoristiti, a negativna umanjiti kroz proračunski pristup orijentiran prema namjeni. Prikazani primjeri predstavljaju dobro iskorištavanje karakteristika aluminijskih legura kroz namjenu, a nova istraživanja primjena mogu pružiti oslonac za daljnje proširenje konkurentnosti. Konstrukcijske primjene su prikazane kroz moguća područja i stavljene u lokalni i globalni kontekst.

The Basis for Reliability-Based Mechanical Properties of Structural Aluminium Alloys

“…Many of the relevant aluminium properties, such as strength, ductility, corrosion resistance, and weldability, are strongly influenced by chemical composition. Additionally, treatments (tempers) of aluminium alloys greatly affect the properties of aluminium products as well [22]. Most commonly, wrought aluminium alloys are used.…”

Parametric Numerical Study of Welded Aluminium Beam-to-Column Joints

“…Aluminium alloys have been successfully used in various industries for several decades. In the construction industry, aluminium alloys are usually found in the form of secondary structures such as façades or in the refurbishment and seismic protection of historic buildings and bridges [1][2][3]. Although steel is used more frequently for primary metal structures, aluminium alloys have come back into focus in recent years due to the high trend towards sustainability and the associated cost savings [4][5][6].…”

Aluminium members in composite structures – a review

“…For this reason, their application in civil engineering is a relatively recent practice. They have many advantageous properties, e.g., they have a high strength-to-weight ratio [2], they are corrosion resistant [3] and recyclable [4], and the elements made of them are easy to extrude, which makes it possible to design any cross-section [5]. Extruded sections are not the only possibility.…”