Projects / Programmes
Bulding structures and materials
January 1, 2015
- December 31, 2018
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 2.01.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Civil engineering |
|
| 2.04.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Materials science and technology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| T220 |
Technological sciences |
Civil engineering, hydraulic engineering, offshore technology, soil mechanics |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 2.01 |
Engineering and Technology |
Civil engineering |
sustainable construction, energy efficiency, alternative energy sources, earthquake engineering, fire engineering, environmental impact, recycling, immobilization of toxic waste, durability, degradation processes, traffic infrastructure, dams, nuclear waste storage, nano-materials, cultural heritage
Researchers (61)
Organisations (1)
Abstract
Sustainable construction is one of the key components in the development of a sustainability-based society since it is aimed at ensuring that natural resources are preserved and that effects which are detrimental to the environment are reduced. Thus our research work is oriented not just to the materials, products, technologies, methodologies and processes which are to be found in the narrower field of the construction industry, but also to the efficient use of energy and of renewable sources of energy, the use of secondary raw materials, and the development of corresponding smart strategies and concepts. Our research will therefore remain focused on those fields which are important for the development and implementation of building materials and structures, and for the advancement of sustainable construction as a whole:
a) the safety and stability of structures
b) the durability of structures (including the characterization of degradation processes and the development of methods for their prevention),
c) the development and use of new materials (the use of new methods, including nano-technologies),
d) the use/immobilization of waste/secondary raw materials,
e) the energy efficiency of buildings (the appropriate use of new materials and technologies).
Individual fields of research will supplement one another, and through the closer co-operation of different groups of researchers synergic effects are expected in narrower fields, too. Most of the listed fields will be linked together in corresponding horizontal segments:
f) sustainable construction (from the points of view of energy, ecology, economics and sociology),
g) building structures of special significance (the traffic infrastructure, dam structures, nuclear waste storage and disposal facilities),
h) buildings and monuments belonging to the cultural heritage.
Most of the research performed by the Program Group is already included in international projects (mainly in the EU framework programs), which proves that this research work is important for the development of science in the broader sense. Within our research we will closely collaborate with our partners in ENBRI (the European Network of Building Research Institutes), Nanocem (the Industrial/Academic Research Network on Cement and Concrete), and FEHRL (the Forum of European National Highway Research Laboratories). In the future, too, we shall aim at implementing, as efficiently as possible, knowledge from other fundamental areas of research, thus making it possible, through their combination, to create successfully new scientific and technological findings.
In the case of wider sustainable construction we will co-operate closely with EOTA, the European Organisation for Technical Assessment, where we co-ordinate the work of the group which is in charge of the sustainability aspect of construction products, so that we help to create the future EU legislation in this field.
Significance for science
Most of the research performed by the Program Group is already included in international projects (mainly in the EU framework programs), which proves that this research work is important for the development of science in the broader sense, and it can be expected that the results obtained will be important at the international level. Thus it is quite logical that the orientation of our research is similar to approaches used in other countries: the development of new materials (including nano-materials) and technologies, increasing the durability of materials and structures, improving the efficient use of energy and the use of alternative sources of energy, the use of secondary raw materials and the reduction of detrimental effects to the environment, the solving of specific problems in connection with the renewal of older buildings and the preservation of the cultural heritage, and the development and/or modification of techniques and methodologies for assessing the condition of buildings and other structures. Certain specific aspects of our research are connected to the particular properties of buildings and other structures, as well as to the characteristics of natural resources and the environment (seismic loadings).
The Program Group has, though the results which it has achieved, become well-affirmed at the international level, which is demonstrated by the papers which have been published in scientific journals with the highest ratings in all fields of the Group's work, as well as numerous citations of these publications, the inclusion of ZAG's researchers as regularly requested reviewers, and memberships in international associations. In spite of the fact that our research projects are predominantly applicatively oriented, in some fields we maintain direct contacts with the latest scientific achievements. This is proved by publications in prestigious international journals of the highest rank in their own fields. The following can be particularly mentioned in this segment:
research in the field of earthquake engineering,
studies of the dynamic behaviour of soils,
modelling of fire scenarios,
the development of nano-materials for use in the building industry,
the development of composites with the use of secondary raw materials, including the immobilization of toxic components,
research and development into different procedures for the remediation of soils polluted by metals,
research into complex degradation processes (alkali-silica reaction, the corrosion of steel in concrete, stress corrosion cracking, tribo-corrosion processes),
characterization of degradation processes affecting historic materials, and the development of alternative materials,
the development of materials and technologies for the improvement of the durability of individual materials and types of structures,
the modelling of thermal flows and humidity in buildings under defined environmental conditions,
the development and implementation of various measuring techniques and of methodologies for the evaluation of the condition of materials and structures
the evaluation of different methods for life cycle assessments.
It can be expected that the scientific level, not only in the above-mentioned fields but also in others, will continue to rise further in the future. This is ensured by the fact that, within the Program Group, co-operation with top scientists and research groups both at home and internationally continues to expand, and that individual fields are supported by the involvement of new researchers. The proposed research program will also be important from the point of view of the training of new researchers through co-operation in the pedagogical process at faculties of different sciences at the University of Ljubljana, the University of Maribor, the University of Nova Gorica, and several other universities in other countries.
In the future, too, we shall aim at implementing, as efficiently as possible, knowledge from other fund
Significance for the country
In all developed countries the fields of building and civil engineering form a strong branch of industry, which has an indirect effect on a large number of other industrial fields, and is especially well connected to the traffic infrastructure, the energy-producing industry, and various communal activities. At the same time sustainable construction is one of the key components of the development of a sustainable society. For this reason our research is not limited to just the narrower fields of building and civil engineering, but also involves the efficient use of resources, the reduction of detrimental effects to the environment, and the sociological aspects of dwelling and settlements. Research within the scope of the proposed program will ensure direct contact with the latest technologies and developmental trends. Through co-operation in numerous international projects and associations we can act as an effective link between technological advance at the world level, and our industrial partners, since knowledge and experience can thus be transferred into industrial practice.
The stability and safety of building and civil engineering structures are, by definition, important for sustainable socio-economic development. The collapse or high degree of damage to buildings, the infrastructure, and industrial plants, during an earthquake (most of Slovenia lies within a tectonically active region), or due to flooding, landslides or fire, could cause not only loss of life and other casualties but also interruptions in the economic life of the country. It should be mentioned that pollution is relatively likely to occur in such cases, and ecological disasters are also possible. For this reason research in the segment of earthquake and fire engineering, as well as into the hazards caused by flooding and landslides, are exceptionally important for the socio-economic development of Slovenia.
With their special requirements (the traffic infrastructure, energy-producing plants, waste deposition sites) civil engineering structures must, as well as fulfilling general requirements, also satisfy the additional requirements which are prescribed with respect to their operation and environmental effects. For this reason, in the case of such structures specific requirements for their planning, construction, maintenance and repair have to be met. Our research work will ensure the optimal fulfilment of these requirements, as they are linked to safety, durability, and reduction of effects on the environment, as well as to the economic aspects of individual operations (management of structures). The correct performance of such work in the case of nuclear structures (including the depository for nuclear waste) is particularly vital since any mistakes made could cause not only direct human casualties and exceptional economic losses, but also, potentially, a long-term ecological disaster on a large scale.
Through research in the fields of the use of secondary raw materials, the energy efficiency of buildings, and the use of alternative sources of energy (solar and geothermal) we will continue to co-operate in efforts to reduce environmental burdens, as well as the consumption of raw materials and energy. The construction industry is, in fact, an ideal field for the re-use of various types of waste, as good-quality alternative materials. This is mainly for two reasons: firstly, it is possible to make use of very large quantities of these; and, secondly, by using different binders and procedures their toxic components can be immobilized. Through our research we will continue to optimize the re-use of different types of industrial and communal waste, as well as processes for the remediation of polluted water and soils. Together with innovative technological solutions we will develop LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) and LCC (Life Cycle Cost Analysis) methods. The efficient use of these technologies and methodologies will be a condition for the successful sus
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2015,
2016,
2017,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2015,
2016,
2017,
final report
