Master dissertation by Elise Vander Linden
Robby Fivez’s PhD dissertation, A Concrete State: Constructing Materials and Building Ambitions in the (Belgian) Congo, critically examined the use of concrete in the Belgian Congo. Though presented as a tool of empire that ‘guided’ the Congolese to ‘progress’, the PhD sheds light on the limits and colonial continuities of such an interpretation. One of the ways in which the PhD challenged the simplistic understanding of concrete as an imperial tool, is through a close study of three key case studies, all three of which corresponded to one of the major technical innovations concrete underwent: the harbour of Ango-Ango (1925-1930) was an early reinforced concrete construction site in the Belgian Congo; in the CCC-building (1950) prestressed concrete was first applied in a building in central Africa; and, in the case of the Bata 300 factory in Kinshasa (1963-1966) the standardization and mass-production of concrete elements had to industrialize construction and relieve on-site difficulties. The close reading of the specific construction processes that resulted from this case-based approach, quickly revealed that building in concrete did not always go smooth. On the contrary, the building sites were troubled by all sorts of incidents, accidents and complications. These —quite literal— chapters of accidents, make it clear that understanding concrete as a fully mastered ‘tool’ was a far cry from reality —however keen the Concrete State was to present it as such.
In this master dissertation, Elise Vander Linden confronts the findings of this PhD with contemporary calculation methods and engineering software. The outcomes largely corroborate those of the archival study, even adding to the complexity of its interpretation. For instance, in the case of the CCC-building, reinforcement was very suddenly added to the columns in the last floors of the building, after a Belgian engineer raised alarm about the reinforcement scheme used. The conclusion, that the initial engineer had not fully understood the structural logic of the building, however, is challenged once we recalculate the building’s structural behavior with contemporary methods and software: it was rather the second engineer who seemed to have panicked without any clear reason, leading to the addition of reinforcement steel in a place where this was completely useless. Elise’s research focused on two key concrete projects in the heart of Kinshasa: the CCC-building and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, thereby making a case for structural analyses of buildings to become part of the toolbox of architectural history.
— Robby Fivez, Johan Lagae & Robby Caspeele
This dissertation explores the interplay between engineering and architectural innovation, emphasising engineers’ crucial role in shaping modern architecture since the Second Industrial Revolution. It delves into how engineers, without advanced computational tools, depended on practical experience, experimental data, and simplified calculations to create functional building designs. This era, characterised by significant advancements in building technology, highlights the depth of knowledge that engineers possessed and how they evolved their practices despite these limitations.
The study examines historical construction methods, structural understanding, and material knowledge. It also highlights the socio-economic dynamics at play, illustrating how Belgium’s use of concrete in Congo served as a symbol of “modernity” and control. It scrutinises the complexities and challenges encountered during colonial construction projects.
Two critical case studies are explored: the CCC building and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs auditorium hall roof in Kinshasa, built by the Compagnie Congolaise de Construction, a colonial branch of the building company Blaton-Aubert. The CCC building, Blaton-Aubert’s inaugural project in Congo, marks a significant early effort in the region and showcases innovative techniques like prestressed concrete. Despite its successful completion, the project faced challenges during construction, including inadequate reinforcement, which necessitated redesigns. The second case study, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs auditorium roof, showcases a complex folded plate design with a double trapezoidal floor plan. The initial design calculations were challenging due to the engineers’ unfamiliarity with non-prismatic roofs. However, external consultations led to successful adjustments, yet limited information about the building process leaves some questions about potential difficulties encountered during construction.
Archival research for the CCC building involved examining archival records —including sketches, correspondence, on-site photographs, and limited executive drawings— to reconstruct the building’s structure and understand its design. Critical information extracted from the archives includes the overall dimensions of the structures, the dimensions of individual structural elements, the structural composition, and the reinforcement used. Extensive archival research and synthesis of various documents were necessary to gather this required information. More comprehensive executive documents for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building allowed for a less intensive archival review, as they provided me with a clearer understanding of the roof’s structure.
Modern structural analysis techniques, including finite element analysis with SCIA software, are used to evaluate historical design practices. Preliminary calculations involve translating archival data, such as material properties, into contemporary classifications and simulating internal and external structural forces. Subsequently, the finite element method analyses stress distributions and determines reinforcement needs for structural elements. Additionally, for other specific structural elements of the CCC building, hand calculations using the strut-and-tie model address high-stress concentrations in the concrete caused by prestressing, evaluating reinforcement requirements for forces that the SCIA software cannot accurately capture. In the case of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs roof, simplified hand calculations are employed to validate the bending moment distributions and deformations obtained from the finite element analysis. Finally, the reinforcement placement within the concrete elements is evaluated using modern calculations and self made 3D models. This assessment underscores the complexity involved in executing reinforcement during construction.
The structural analysis of the CCC building demonstrates how engineers refined their methods through trial and error, particularly by improving reinforcement designs in response to initial challenges. Despite some uncertainties in the initial calculations, the engineers of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs seemingly mastered the applied technique for the auditorium roof. Engineers ultimately created a stable structure, overcoming initial failures with the original design. Together, these case studies underscore Blaton-Aubert’s pioneering role in (colonial) construction, highlighting the complexity and innovation of the buildings’ design and execution. They also demonstrate the engineers’ adaptability and problem-solving skills in addressing new construction challenges. The dissertation reveals that the engineers had more knowledge about the novel techniques they used, rather than being completely in the dark.
— Elise Vander Linden