Quantifying structural flexibility for performance based life cycle design of builidings

Abstract

When we try to specify minimum performance levels for the whole life cycle of a building we have to face the problem of how to deal with the uncertainties of future functional use. In stead of specifying minimum functional requirements we could opt to specify minimum levels of flexibility. To achieve this, it becomes necessary to quantify and compare "flexibility". To do this flexibility is defined more precise. Because the building structure is usually the longest lasting building layer the possibilities to quantify the flexibility of the building structure, "Structural Flexibility", is looked at in more detail. A definition of Structural Flexibility is given and a framework to measure and compare Structural Flexibility is discussed.