Projects / Programmes
Development, modelling and optimization of structures and processes in civil engineering and traffic
January 1, 2013
- December 31, 2016
| 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 |
Researchers (12)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
The research program is dealing with development, modelling and optimization of structures and processes in civil engineering and traffic. The optimization is performed with Non-linear Programming (NLP) and Mixed-Integer Non-linear Programming (MINLP). The research is applied in two different areas: civil engineering and traffic. Optimization methods, particularly different strategies, are under development for the optimization of large-scaled real systems. The optimization models for structures, buildings, traffic infrastructures and of traffic are modelled.
In the civil engineering area, the optimization models for some typically and most frequently used truss structures, frames and bridges from steel, concrete, timber and composite material are under development. The optimization is performed in the direction of the minimization of structure mass and production costs. The construction process is also taken in the consideration. The buildings are this in way fully optimized from roof to the foundation. In the calculation process are simultaneously calculated: a structural topology (an optimal number and a configuration of structural elements), optimal materials, shape as well as standard and rounded dimensions.
Research work in the field of timber structures is primarily directed towards the possibility of increased use of prefabricated timber structures. New computational models were thus developed for multi-storey prefabricated timber structures where with the help of models with fictive diagonals, flexibility of the connections between wall and ceiling elements, as well as the portion of openings in the wall elements, can be additionally accounted for. Great emphasis is given also to developing a new timber-glass wall element, where the glass-coating is treated as a structure in its plane.This way the different options of connections between glass coating and the timber frame with flexible and rigid adhesives are being experimentally tested in order to ensure a sufficiently large static stiffness and at the same time the maintenance of a sufficiently high degree of ductility. Great importance is also given to construction and energy rehabilitation in existing residential buildings where with upgrading on the described the timber-glass wall system, and with appropriate positioning of the enhanced glazed surface on the south façade, one can achieve a substantial increase in solar energy which significantly improves the energy balance of the building.
The information sciences in civil engineering demonstrate a high integration of all the above mentioned activities. Usage of computers in civil engineering has long tradition, but due to the use of computers in a nonchangeable or olf-fashioned organization schemes, the information technology in civil engineering can not bring the progress as expected. The researchers in the area of the information sciences thus develop new organization schemes from which it is possible to optimize structures, buildings, the construction process and the traffic infractructure such that the potentials of new informatic technologies are fully exploited.
The simulation of traffic flows is becoming an ever so popular in common practice in the field of traffic studies, and has become an indispensible constituent part of any project documentation. Our research deals with the problem of the simulation of traffic flows and the calculating the capacity of a turbo–roundabout and other different types of roundabouts.
Significance for science
The research results of the program group are useful in various scientific fields of civil engineering, architectural and traffic engineering. In the field of timber buildings optimization procedures for energy-efficient timber-glass buildings were developed, where the optimum proportion of glazing size for various floor design of the buildings was determined according to the energy demand for heating and cooling. The study was later expanded in developing of timber-glass upgrades modules, which can be optimally adapted to the floor-plan of the existing building. Studies have been carried out for different climatic areas across Europe, therefore the study results are directly useful for further development of the procedures for energy renovations with different possible approaches in various climatic areas. Timber-glass buildings, which were previously architecturally designed, were further analysed also from the structural point of view to assure structural stability of such constructions where glazing was considered as a load-bearing structural wall or floor element. The results of several experimental studies, which were later numerically validated by development of mathematical models based on finite element methods, may represent a significant contribution to science, particularly in new approaches in the field of composite load-bearing structural systems and the influence of adhesives. Simplified computational models of concrete beams enable faster analysis of cracked beams because detailed 2D or 3D finite element mesh are no longer necessary. This has been confirmed by numerous comparisons of the two models for different load cases and boundary conditions. Derived finite elements are fully compatible with standard finite elements and thus they can be easily incorporated into the existing software. Although developed models proved to be perfectly applicable in classical analysis, they have been also developed for the needs of inverse identification, where minimalist models - due to the limited data obtained from measurements – are absolutely necessary. Furthermore, it would be further possible to implement these models in earthquake engineering if a general engineering consensus regarding the number of cracks and their deployment is reached. The actual standard namely requires that the concrete construction are taken into account as being cracked but it allows for the implementation of significantly worse model. In the field of traffic engineering, the results demonstrate the benefits of alternative types of roundabouts from the standpoint of reducing the number of conflict points, conflict situations, better capacity and better level of traffic safety. Based on our results we could predict their further affirmation / implementation, as well the continuation of research in this area.
Significance for the country
The findings of the research in the field of timber buildings will undoubtedly contribute to raising the visibility of prefabricated timber construction in Slovenia, increase the use of wood in construction purposes and consequently also the strengthening of the timber chain, which would primarily finally also enable the sustainable exploitation of the Slovenian wood-based wealth. The developed prefabricated timber-glass module with certain modifications also for other climatic areas across Europe can become a recognizable export item of Slovenian manufacturers of prefabricated building, and thus contribute to the significant economic growth of many Slovenian companies from the field of timber construction and not the least to important contribution to the greater export potential of the whole country. Additionally, the results of the implemented studies in the field of energy-efficient timber constructions as new buildings or upgrade modules can have in the process of energy renovations also wider socio-beneficial effect, because they can significantly contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and to increase of a living comfort in such buildings. In the field of traffic engineering the results (calculations of turbo-roundabout’s capacities) showed a significant dispersion of the results of the calculations made by different methods, which demonstrates the need for the implementation of a concrete example in a real environment (pilot project). Today, the equation for capacity of turbo-roundabouts is already accomplished, because we already have 15 turbo-roundabouts in Slovenia. Here we wish to continue, to find parameters for capacity modelling also for other alternative types of roundabouts, which mean research contents and goals. There will be an innovative research with a great potential impact for the development of new research directions on the field of alternative types of intersections in urban area. The potential impact of the results can be seen in the usefulness of new alternative types of roundabouts. Feasibility of the research on the development of alternative types of roundabouts is large, and group has already demonstrated this. We see direct relevance of the research programme for the economy and social activities in the implementation of alternative types of roundabouts as a standard solution.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2013,
2014,
2015,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2013,
2014,
2015,
final report
