Sustainable Construction A Life Cycle Approach in Engineering

The first step is to split the concept of structural flexibility into certain parameters that are
important. Blok and Hoekman have already attempted to divide the complex nature of structural
flexibility into smaller understandable parts. In this paper their definitions are re-defined and
inventorized to a matrix model. Three key parameters, the building layers, structure element
groups and indicators, are set out to each other to generate a broad view on structural
flexibility, on global as well as detailed level (figure 2)
Figure 2: A 3D-matrix is proposed in which each cell contains a detailed piece
of information concerning structural flexibility.
3.2 Building layers
As mentioned in the previous paragraph, the lifespan of different elements or element groups
and the tuning between them are essential towards structural flexibility. The relations between
these different building layers are shown in figure 3 made by Blok (2006) based on the previous
models of Brand and Leupen (2002). The building model represents the complexity of the
different interdependencies within a building.
Figure 3: Building model displaying the main interdependencies of flexibility.
The interdependencies concerning the structural flexibility are denoted with the
black arrows.
As stated by Durmisevic (2006) this representation is too static, since it is bound to a set
number of groups. Within these groups subdivisions can be made of groups that have a
different lifespan and react very different regarding other groups. A more specific division can
be made based on the ‘Elements method’ developed at Delft, University of Technology (1991).
This inventory of all building elements that can be found in buildings is summarized in the
model into eleven groups divided over the building layers Leupen distinguished, which have a
relation with the structure (table 1).
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