Projects / Programmes
Development, modelling and optimization of structures and processes in civil engineering and traffic
January 1, 2017
- December 31, 2021
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.01.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Civil engineering |
|
| 2.19.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Traffic systems |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T220 |
Technological sciences |
Civil engineering, hydraulic engineering, offshore technology, soil mechanics |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.01 |
Engineering and Technology |
Civil engineering |
Civil engineering, Traffic, Energy efficiency, Wood, Glass, Steel, Concrete, Composites, Planar structures, Halls, Modelling, Optimization, Structural optimization, Project scheduling, MINLP, Automation in AEC, Building Information Modelling, BIM, Alternative types of roundabouts
Researchers (15)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
The purpose of the proposed research program is the development, modelling and optimization of structures and processes in civil engineering and transport.
Research in the field of timber buildings will present an extension of studies regarding the optimum shape of timber-glass housing units with optimal proportion of glazing and a maximal living comfort, which can be used as new buildings or structural upgrade modulus. Recent studies will be expanded in the analysis of multi-storey timber-glass buildings for deliberately chosen different climate areas. Since the buildings are designed according to the principle of passive strategies, innovative ceiling elements with a concrete slab in compression, glass web and timber flange have to be developed that will allow maximum possible accumulation of passive solar energy and additionally a possibility of using larger spans of timber ceiling elements in the praxis.
In the field of structural optimization we will optimize different planar structures (RC slabs, ribbed RC slabs, timber-concrete composite floors and composite steel-concrete floors) as well as three different types of single-storey steel hall structures (with I sections only, with truss beams and with truss columns and beams). The first objective of the research will be to determine which planar structure is optimal for the input span and load. The second objective will be to determine which the main frame type is optimal for the defined span and load. The NLP and MINLP optimization models will be modelled for all the mentioned structures. Accurate cost objective functions for the structures will be defined. The multi-parametric MINLP optimizations will be carried out in the direction of the minimization the mentioned structures' costs. The optimal designs and the comparative diagrams of the structures will also be obtained.
In field of construction management, we intend to continue research work from the viewpoint of optimal project scheduling. Our focus will be on development of MINLP models for discrete optimization of resource-constrained project schedules (Gantt charts, histograms, S-curves) under restricted costs. We will focus on automated elaboration of construction plans, especially on useful time schedules, based on Building Information Models and on construction technologies, as well as on automated construction progress monitoring, which shall enable tracking of all activities outside and inside of the building.
Our research will deals also with the modelling of new types of roundabouts, i.e. alternative types of roundabouts and their comparison from capacity, traffic safety and environment impact point of view.
Significance for science
Work on the research programme would present a systematically upgrade of the previously carried out research for single-storey timber-glass upgrade module. The proposed project extends the research to adaptation of upgrade module to different climatic conditions, typologies of the existing buildings and to determination of alternative module as a two-story structure. This would significantly expand the current knowledge of the behaviour of timber-glass buildings of different shapes in different climatic areas. With the development of innovative composite wood-glass ceiling elements with the concrete slab and developed mathematical calculation models would significantly contribute to the development of fundamental assumptions in the field of composite timber structures and the use of different adhesives.
In the past, we already made the multi-parametric optimization of the concrete-steel composite structures as well as of the steel hall structures from standard I sections. We would like to proceed with that research. Competitive spans of the different planar structures and of the different types of a single-storey steel hall structures are not determined yet on the basis of the performed multi-parametric MINLP cost optimization and Eurocode specifications. The MINLP optimization models and the accurate objective costs functions for the mentioned different structures were not yet be modelled.
Proposed research will contribute to development of science in the field of project scheduling. The subject of research will be the MINLP model, which enables exact optimal scheduling of project activities, at selected production process, simultaneously with scheduling of (non)linearly constrained resources and total project cost, at each discrete working time unit, and has not yet been developed. MINLP model will provide the exact optimal output data for efficient construction project management, such as a Gantt charts, histograms and S-curves, which are most often used in practice.
The expected results will represent an important contribution to the research and development of automated planning and monitoring of construction and thereby influenced the development of construction informatics and the AEC sector. In the past we have, with new concepts, already demonstrated the originality of ideas in the field of construction informatics. These will be developed further (virtual product model, automated construction progress monitoring by using 4D model, automation of production) and new will be created (linking the building information model with computer-readable knowledge of building technologies, new methods for automating and optimizing construction plans, new methods of construction automation).
Development of the new efficient finite element will be a systematic update of already developed finite element of transversely cracked beams subjected to axial compressive loads. This would significantly expand the usefulness of the simplified computational model and, as a result, facilitate the analysis’s quality as well as offer new knowledge about the behaviour of cracked buildings structures during an earthquake. The new finite element or better computational model would also increase the options for effective implementation of inverse identification, which has been - although still relatively young scientific field - gaining its scientific importance.
Lately, we are, mainly due to the different influential factors, increasingly facing complex traffic problems which cannot be solved analytically. In such cases it is possible to approach the solving of problems with the use of microsimulations. In the present, microsimulations have become a necessity in transport engineering, since in the future we will be – for various reasons – forced to seek optimal solutions within the already existing road infrastructure. Alternative types of roundabouts are one of these optimal solutions. There are still gaps in understanding of processes of planning
Significance for the country
Apart from the improved energy efficiency of the building upgraded by the timber-glass module(s) the great advantage of such process lies in obtaining new usable areas, which can be offered to the real-estate market in this manner partially covering the costs of energy renovation of existing building. Co-financing energy efficient renovation of existing buildings can lead to decrease of partial energy renovations with lower quality and effect while on the other hand increasing the potential for complex energy renovation of buildings leading to significantly higher energy savings on an annual basis.
With the development of timber-glass modules, such as new construction or structural upgrade, could be reached in any case a significant increase in use of wood as an untapped natural wealth of Slovenia in-house production.
The development and application of various optimization techniques can significantly reduce costs and consumption of materials in the construction of buildings and at the same time increase the productivity and competitive capacity of the construction companies. The research programme will answer on new questions, which will appear at the optimal design process of different planar structures and single-storey steel halls. Determined will be comparative diagrams, by which engineer can find an optimal design (steel or timber or concrete or composite structure) for the defined span and load.
Proposed research is important for socio-economic development of Slovenia, Namely, optimization of project schedules is mostly done in practice by time-consuming analytical trial-and-error procedure, which generally leads to sub-optimal solutions with considerable spaces for organizational improvements (especially at engagement of resources) and cost savings. Proposed approach allows obtaining exact optimal results and thus contributes to improvement of practice, which currently dominates in construction industry. Optimal management of resources is also of general interest to society.
Civil engineering is extremely important for the quality of living (urban areas) and for the development of the society (e.g. infrastructure objects). With the proposed research programme of automation of elaboration of construction plans and of automated construction progress monitoring we expect to contribute significantly to the quality and effectiveness of building process and products in their whole life-cycle.
Basic characteristics of alternative types of roundabouts are small land-print, a high level of road safety, a large capacity and consequently low environmental impact.
The results of the research have already been and will be published in scientific literature abroad, which already did and will contribute to the promotion of Slovenia and the Slovenian science in the world.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2017,
2018,
2019
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2017,
2018,
2019
