Hennebique

François Hennebique was a French–Belgian structural engineer who played a decisive role in the development of reinforced concrete construction. Through his research and commercial efforts in the late 19th century, he helped establish reinforced concrete as a practical building material. The system that bears his name, the Hennebique system, became one of the first widely used reinforced concrete methods.

The Hennebique system integrated steel reinforcement within concrete elements to resist tensile stresses. It used steel bars placed in concrete with deliberate anchorage, end blocks, and tying details to ensure bond between the steel and concrete. The system was applied to beams, slabs, and other members, enabling better performance under bending, shear, and dynamic loads.

Hennebique patented the method and organized a business network to promote it. He founded a company that manufactured components and licensed construction practices, creating a franchise-like dissemination across Europe and the Americas. The approach influenced many early reinforced concrete projects.

The method helped accelerate the adoption of reinforced concrete in a range of structures, from industrial buildings to bridges, and laid groundwork for modern design approaches and standards. Although later systems refined detailing and codes, the Hennebique system is viewed as a foundational development in reinforced concrete engineering.