Light-Weight High Performance Concrete for Modular Floating Structures

LITEFLOATCON aims to build an international and intersectoral partnership for high-quality research development on innovative light-weight high performance concrete (LWHPC) and its application on multi-purpose modular floating structures for coastal space utilisation. To achieve this ambition, LITEFLOATCON brings along a multi-disciplinary team comprising 33 researchers from nine academic partners with complementary expertise. The scientific objectives include: (1) developing innovative LWHPC suitable for coastal applications, (2) investigating the influence of various additives on the rheological and mechanical properties 3) assessing the durability properties 4) measuring the fatigue performance of LWHPC of various compositions developed (5) conceptual development of novel modular floating structural units with optimised shape and size, (6) developing an easy-fit inter-modular connector, (7) examining the global and local structural and hydrodynamic performances of the modular floating units, and (8) generating Life-Cycle Analysis and performance-based design guidelines and recommendations. The outcomes of LITEFLOATCON include long-term and sustainable international partnerships that enhance the quality of research towards a modular floating LWHPC system with verified system design, material durability and structural safety, and an analysis and assessment framework for social and environmental impacts. These contribute to the development of next-generation coastal structures, to improved scientific knowledge of material and structural behaviour in harsh marine environments, to design standardisation of the offshore industry, and to Europe’s climate and sustainability goals.