R&D in Civil Engineering

Innovative or complex issues may require testing outside the known horizon. We offer you the conceptual design, implementation and scientific evaluation of examinations in our areas of expertise that expand the state of knowledge.

Current research projects

• Economic feasibility studies on construction methods with concrete slabs of the load class Bk100
• Betonfahrbahn 4.0 (BASt)
• Creep of SAP-modified concrete
• EU project SensMat
• KomZet-SHL

Completed research projects since 2015

• WALL-ACE - Novel Nanomaterials Efficient systems (EU Horizon 2020), https://www.wall-ace.eu/ 
• HOME Skin - Thinner Insulation Systems (EU Horizon 2020), https://homeskin.net/ 
• Low Embodied Energy Insulation Materials
• Creep of concrete under the influence of an alkali-silica reaction
• Diagnosis, demolition, processing and recycling of ASR-damaged road pavement concrete
• Bond between steel and concrete under the influence of fire

Room climate stabilisation for the preservation of the wall paintings in the church St. Georg (UNESCO - World Cultural Heritage Site Monastery Isle of Reichenau) - DBU AZ: 32712/01

An interdisciplinary team from the fields of monument preservation, conservation, natural sciences and engineering examined the potential dangers to early medieval wall paintings because of climate fluctuations. Measurements of the exposure to salts, microbial infestation and dust particles provided far-reaching insights into the damage mechanisms. Among other things, indoor air monitoring provided information on the relationship between dust pollution and visitor traffic. The main component of the project was a climate monitoring and a controlled conditioning of the indoor climate conditions in the crypt and nave based on this as a contribution to the long-term preservation of the wall paintings.

Further information: https://www.denkmalpflege-bw.de/denkmale/projekte/bau-und-kunstdenkmalpflege/restaurierung/st-georg-reichenau/st-george-reichenau/

Publication: https://www.baufachinformation.de/unesco-weltkulturerbe-reichenau/buecher/247360

EU Horizon 2020 Project: SensMat - Preventive solutions for Sensitive Materials of Cultural Heritage

Preventive conservation is an important approach to the long-term preservation of cultural heritage, in particular for artefacts currently exhibited under unsuitable environmental conditions in small and medium-sized EU museums. SensMat aims to develop and implement innovative, cost-effective and user-friendly monitoring tools, including a decision support tool for museum management and collection preservation staff. The international and interdisciplinary SensMat consortium comprises 18 partners from five European countries. The SensMat concept is based on new, cost-effective sensor systems and innovative data and communication networks (IoT) that monitor collection environments and continuously evaluate specific material degradation. The MPA is leading the multiscale modelling work package, which will provide the basis for the detection of degradation risks and validate the monitoring systems developed. Representative case studies in museums, historical buildings, depots and workshops (in Denmark, France and Austria) will be used for testing in a real museum context. Relevant actors from cultural institutions, regional associations, certification organisations, academies, museums and industrial enterprises will be involved.

Duration: 01.01.2019 to 28.02.2022.

Further information: https://www.sensmat.eu/

KomZet SHL BW - Development and operation of a (virtual) Competence Centre for Market and Business Processes Smart Home & Living Baden-Württemberg

The Smart Home & Living Competence Center is to cover the central aspects of opening up the Smart Home & Living market in Baden-Württemberg for the relevant market partners on the supply and demand side and to promote the introduction of Smart Home & Living solutions in all regions and among the important target groups. The following subprojects will contribute:

A business model incubator to generate business models

A central obstacle to the spread of SHL solutions lies in the lack of knowledge of suitable business models that partners from the housing industry, trades and social enterprises can use through cooperation. Here, a specially developed business model incubator will eliminate existing deficits.

A Smart-O-Mat as a consulting aid for providers and customers

A second sub-project has the task of developing the Smart-O-Mat, a tool that informs potential users of SHL solutions about their functionalities, whereby the customer is offered the solution that suits him according to his preferences. The well-known Wahl-O-Mat is the model for this.

A communication platform for information about SHL solutions

The sub-projects, Business Model Incubator and Smart-o-Mat provide insights and results that will be communicated to all relevant stakeholders in the Information and Communication sub-project. Target groups are both providers and users of SHL solutions. These include private individuals, but also institutions working in the field of assisted living or supporting people in need, as well as other users in the commercial sector and potential providers of SHL solutions such as artisans, planners, architects and social enterprises.

Training for employees in the crafts and housing industry

Since, due to previous experience, trained specialists are active on the market, but the employees in the crafts and housing industry do not have sufficient knowledge, the sub-project aims to qualifying these target groups.

Duration: 9.8.2019 bis 28.2.2022. The project is funded by the Ministry of Economics, Labour and Housing Baden-Württemberg.

Further information: https://www.etz-stuttgart.de/das+etz/Wir+%C3%BCber+uns/Projekte/KomZet+SHL+BW.html