Interactive Panel Discussion

Early Reinforced Concrete: Comparative Development in Germany, Russia and India

The interactive panel discussion aims to contribute to improved understanding of the "global" history of reinforced concrete. The main focus will be on the process of introduction and early use in countries from three different geographical regions of the world – Germany, Russia and India – in late-19th to the early-20th century. 

With the objective of understanding the comparative development of "early" reinforced concrete in above-mentioned countries through identification of significant similarities and/or differences, the interactive panel discussion will be held in two sessions.

In Session 1, the panellists will give a short background presentation on the country of their research focus, highlighting the historical, economical and technical circumstances of the introduction of reinforced concrete in the country.

Thereafter, in Session 2, the panellists will exchange in-depth information on select aspects impacting on and resulting from the use of this "new" building material/technology in late 19th and early 20th centuries, before its standardisation, in Germany, Russia and India.

Moderator:  Smriti Pant, Research Associate, Chair of Architectural Conservation, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg

Panellists:
Stuart Tappin (Director, Stand Consulting Engineers, UK)
Sabine Kuban (Research Associate, Chair of Construction History and Structural Preservation, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, Germany)
Vladimir Korensky (Research Associate, Chair of Construction History and Structural Preservation, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, Germany)