The Reinforced Concrete and the Hapsburg Fortresses: Experimentation and Innovation

During the last decades of the 19th century, the volatile geopolitical configuration of Europe and changes in war tactics and weapons led to the construction of a new defence system. Forts, fortified roadblocks, infrastructure, trenches etc. were constructed in just a few years. To abbreviate construction times, design and construction were standardised, in line with the concept of industrialisation gaining ground during the 19th century The need to rapidly build strong new military structures led to heavy use of concrete. This stimulated experimentation to improve its composition by including siliceous, basaltic or granitic aggregate, accelerators, setting additives etc.. Systems were then studied to improve steel/concrete adherence, for example, by introducing hooks at the ends of the smooth bars. Through reading military manuals and technical design documents for the construction of fortifications it means deduce the evolution process of the concrete and construction elements made of this material.