News Production & Lab
Non-destructive testing to extend the life of concrete structures
Germany’s Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) is developing innovative non-destructive testing methods to evaluate used concrete components for reuse in new buildings. The research is part of a new collaborative project funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), aiming to advance circular construction.
Concrete remains the most widely used construction material globally – but also one of the most environmentally damaging. Once a structure reaches the end of its life, its concrete elements are typically crushed and used as filler. The new Collaborative Research Centre (CRC) 1683 challenges this approach by exploring how load-bearing elements such as slabs, walls and columns can be dismantled, assessed and reused in new structures.
BAM contributes its long-standing expertise in non-destructive testing. The goal is to develop methods that allow quick, reliable and economical assessment of used reinforced concrete components – without cutting or drilling. These techniques will support safe and efficient reuse and promote a shift towards circularity in the construction sector.
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From demolition to classification
Traditional testing methods are often invasive, time-consuming and costly. To make reuse viable, BAM’s subproject focuses on non-invasive approaches to classify and evaluate the internal condition of concrete. This enables reliable predictions of safety and remaining service life, giving structural elements a second chance in new builds.
CRC 1683, titled Interaction-based Methods for Modular Reuse of Load-bearing Structures, is based at Ruhr University Bochum, which also coordinates the consortium. Partners include the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and the University of Stuttgart. More than 50 researchers from civil engineering, architecture, mechanical engineering and computer science are involved. BAM leads the subproject Assessment Methods and Classification Models for the Reuse of Reinforced Concrete Components.
Source: Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), press release from 5 June 2025
