Betonbaus

Betonbau, sometimes rendered as Betonbaus in non-standard usage, is the field of construction that uses concrete as the primary structural material. Concrete combines a cementitious binder, water, aggregates, and admixtures to form a hard, durable matrix. When reinforced with steel or other materials, concrete can carry compressive and tensile stresses, enabling elements such as columns, slabs, beams, walls, foundations, and bridges.

Common forms are reinforced concrete, where steel reinforcement provides tensile capacity; prestressed concrete, with pre-tensioned or post-tensioned tendons; and precast concrete, where elements are cast off-site and assembled later. Durable design also considers factors such as corrosion protection, freeze–thaw resistance, and shrinkage.

Construction methods include cast-in-place (site-cast) and precast systems, together with formwork, compaction, curing, and inspection. Modern practice also uses self-compacting concrete to improve fill in dense formwork and, increasingly, digital fabrication techniques such as 3D concrete printing.

Design follows national and international codes, such as Eurocode 2 (EN 1992) in Europe or ACI 318 in North America, plus project-specific requirements. The performance of Betonbau depends on concrete strength class, reinforcement detailing, concrete cover, and durability considerations.

History and contemporary role: Concrete has ancient roots, but modern reinforced concrete emerged in the 19th and early 20th centuries, with key developments in mixing, reinforcement, and casting methods. Today, Betonbau underpins most modern buildings, bridges, and infrastructure.

Sustainability: Cement production is energy-intensive and carbon-intensive. Ongoing research aims to reduce embodied carbon through lower cement content, supplementary cementitious materials, high-performance mixes, and more efficient design and construction methods.