Digitalization in construction, Computer-based design for structural elements – Analyses and Validation of compliance to EuroCodes Erasmus Project

Project Title

Digitalization in construction, Computer-based design for structural elements – Analyses and Validation of compliance to EuroCodes

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for higher education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses

Project Summary

Digitalization in construction, Computer-based design for structural elements – Analyses and Validation of compliance to EuroCodes
Cava EuroCodes
1. Introduction
The construction sector is crucial for the European economy, representing approximately 10% of the GDP and providing 20 million jobs. The education of qualified, competent engineers for this important market lies in the responsibility of the universities. The educational process has to be constantly adapted to the state-of-the-art and new technologies. This leads to attractive course programs fitting the needs from industry. The future of the construction sector is strongly affected by the upcoming digitalization process and industry 4.0. These new technologies also influence the design process for civil engineers by:
– The use of digital data models (Building information modelling – BIM)
> Geometry date available as 3D datamodel
> Additional data about materials can be included in model
– New opportunities in structural design based on big data model
> Transfer of spatial data into a structural model
> Design based on 3D – “reality model” possible, global analysis becomes more important
– Extended application of advanced design methods such as numerical methods (Finite Element Methods – FEM)
> More “exact” results are promised
2. Future Challenges
The future working place of structural civil engineers, occupied with the design and dimensioning of structural elements, will be dominated by computational engineering. Data will be transferred from the digital building model to design software and the final design will be provided based on linear or non-linear simulation by finite element methods. The business of those Engineers will change dramatically. Based on the digital data model computational engineering becomes more and more important.
The structural design in the 27 EU member states and the 4 EFTA countries has to be provided according the rules of the European Design Codes called “EuroCodes”. The EuroCodes (EC) represent harmonized European Standards (EN) for the structural design of construction works in the European Union, developed on behalf of the European Commission by the European Committee for Standardization CEN. Development of these EuroCodes was a tremendous achievement and represented the culmination of over 30 years of collaborative effort. Their impact has been considerable. It has been estimated that they daily affect the work of around 500 000 professional engineers across Europe. However, the EuroCodes do not give always comprehensive references for the application and evaluation of numerical simulation procedures. Therefore, the new possibilities with application and assessment of advanced design methods in accordance to EuroCodes are still to be transfered in the educational process. Above all, on level of higher education at universities these new challenges have to be considered. The students have to be prepared for this fast changing market, course programs have to be adapted. This leads to new changes and opportunities for graduated students.
3. Major Objective of the project
The target of the project “Cava EuroCodes” is focused on the development of a new curriculum to analyze the application of advanced numerical methods. This is not only based on the theory of Finite Element methods, rather an interdisciplinary approach to integrate the basics of structural engineering, material science, EuroCode design for concrete, steel and composite structures will be envisaged. The traditional design according to EuroCode will be analyzed, compared to computer-based advanced design methods and afterwards validated. Students will be lead in the interpretation of those results.
Outcomes of the project:
> Target 1: Development of interdisciplinary course curriculum fulfilling requirement of industry concluding
– Impact of digitalization in construction for structural design
– Possibilities of advanced design methods in structural engineering
– Assessment and interpretation of results
– Accordance of advanced design methods to EuroCodes
> Target 2: Preparing students for job market – increase of knowledge and qualification
– Integration of students of different educational levels
– Strengthen qualification, knowledge as well as development of skill for students
– increase motivation by integration of new technologies in educational process
> Target 3: Create Partnerships and strengthen exchange in study programs
– Cross-border collaboration of universities/institutes
– Development of long-term collaboration
– Promote exchange (mobility) of students.
> Target 4: Support lifelong learning + exchange with industry
– To offer seminars in continuing education for training of design engineers in new technologies
– Strengthen role of universities in process of lifelong learning

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 411197 Eur

Project Coordinator

UNIVERSITE DU LUXEMBOURG & Country: LU

Project Partners

• BERGISCHE UNIVERSITAET WUPPERTAL
• HOCHSCHULE TRIER
• POLITECHNIKA WROCLAWSKA