Weinberghaus – an Experimental Building outside Wörrstadt
This small structure – whose name alludes to its location in a hillside vineyard – is the result of close collaboration between two faculties at the University of Kaiserslautern. The goal was to develop strategies for employing ultra high performance concrete (UHPC) combining design and engineering criteria. One of the students’ designs was selected to be realised in precast concrete units. Following initial typology studies, the students used models to analyse different possible connections of the units, with the stipulation that the different versions all rely on basic geometry. The individual components are only 3 cm thick. Connections are made via tongues and grooves on their edges. The high-performance, self-compacting, fine-aggregate concrete (maximum aggregate size: 2 mm) that was employed is characterised by minimum compression strength of 100 N/mm² and steel-wire micro-reinforcement with a minimum bending tensile strength of 25 N/mm². In order to be able to comply with the maximum admissible tolerances, the researchers thoroughly studied UHPC’s shrinkage behaviour. A moisture-repellent mineral mortar (silica dust) was employed. The wooden formwork and the first precast concrete units were fabricated by the students in a hall on campus. The remaining units were produced in a prefabrication plant. They were then transported to the vineyard and set up on a cast-in-place concrete slab.
