Method for the optimization of large structural elements.

New and innovative aspects

The fundamental advantage is economic, using less quantity of material from the new conceptual designs that the research group is capable of analyzing for different structural types. This is especially important in the industrial sector, which by its nature has a tendency to run a multitude of identical units.

Main advantages of its use

In the case of structural concrete, due to its nature, small-scale tests are insignificant, making it necessary to carry out full-scale tests.
The Large Structures Laboratory of the University of Burgos has suitable facilities to carry out 1:1 scale tests on concrete elements up to 30 meters long and weighing up to 40 tons.
Optimizing structural solutions is essential (especially in the industrial sector, in which the number of units to be executed can be very high), as this can provide the customer with a competitive advantage for their product compared to that of the competition.

Specifications

There are more and more structural situations in which concrete elements are subjected to load states of a dynamic nature. Noteworthy, for example, are the structures located on the High-Speed ​​Rail lines, as well as towers and foundations for wind turbines, foundation slabs for heavy machinery.
The optimization of the structural solutions to be used in these cases necessarily involves knowing, precisely, their structural response, both under static stresses and dynamic stresses.
For this last situation, it is important to know how the mechanical capacity (and, consequently, the structural safety factor) evolves with the number of cycles; and, from this, determine, in a more exact way, the useful life of our element.
Based on numerical models alone, it is currently not possible to know this data and it is necessary to support the necessary numerical calculations with experimental test campaigns.
In the case of structural concrete, due to its nature, small-scale tests are insignificant, making it necessary to carry out full-scale tests.
The Large Structures Laboratory of the University of Burgos has suitable facilities to carry out 1:1 scale tests on concrete elements up to 30 meters long and weighing up to 40 tons.

Applications

Companies in the Civil Engineering sector that work with large structures.
Companies in the energy sector, especially linked to wind generation, since especially the new prototypes include concrete elements (foundation and towers).

Desired business relationship

Commercial Agreement, License Agreement, Technical Cooperation: further development; Technical Cooperation: testing new applications; Technical Cooperation: adaptation to specific needs.