Geschichtliche Entwicklung und aktuelle Praxis der Probebelastung [Teil 1]

Historical development and current practise of load tests in situ — part 1: historical development in the 19th and at the begin of the 20th century.

Since prehistoric times people are striving to achieve the largest possible range of safety in all areas of their lives. For the construction industry this is important in a very special way, because the failure of structures is much less accepted in society, as for example the failure of motor vehicles or electronic devices. We especially feel a sense of security if we really "know" or "see" that components can withstand the appropriate loads. Therefore, load tests represented the ultimate proof of the safety of components and structures during the 19th and 20th Century. Especially, reinforced concrete could prevail in its early years only because its performance has been proven effective by a multitude of load tests to a wide public.