The Digital Building Kit

Simulation-based models and methods for the design of modular concrete structures


Project Support

The research project "The Digital Building Kit - Simulation-based models and methods for the design of modular concrete structures" is supported by  the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - project number 423935790


Motivation and Objectives

The aim of the project is to develop and implement an integrated digital model and appropriate methods for modular prefabricated concrete structures. The complete design chain from the first preliminary design to detailing, static-mechanical simulation and design to the statically correct support of the assembly process and the construction progress is included. The model is general, expandable at any time and applicable to any other modular structural system. A key feature is the use and further development of parametric methods for interactive, CAD-supported design, sensitivity analysis, optimization, robustness investigations and identification of uncertainties in the development or production process. The exemplary object of the project is a modular system for surface structures (slabs and flat shells).

The aim is to create a digital construction kit that can be used to interactively design, evaluate and optimize a patchwork of modular elements.As a methodological basis IGA (isogeometric analysis) is chosen, i.e. the integration of FEM and CAD. Standard surface descriptions using B-splines and NURBS are used to describe the individual module elements in the middle surface and trim them to the selected modular grid by means of trimming operations. The layout geometry of special boundary elements or of modules on distorted grids are included. The joining edges are described separately by curve splines, which are the basis for the formulation of the boundary and coupling conditions, such as, e.g. specifically for the modeling of jointing and tolerance compensation. The method of static condensation is developed further for the special needs.Methods and models are formulated in the self-developed IBRA data format, compiled in a way that is compatible with BIM and implemented in own software (TeDA, Kiwi! 3d, SiemensNX plug-in). Demonstrators will be developed together with Prof. Braml and other SPP groups.



Links to our research activities in the field of isogeometric analysis