MSUCE and Smart Engineering sign an agreement of cooperation to work together

MSUCE and Smart Engineering sign an agreement of cooperation to work together

by Smart Engineering Barcelona Uncategorized

Moscow State University of Civil Engineering (MSUCE) and Smart Engineering have signed an agreement of cooperation with the aim of jointly developing projects and research work. This agreement aims to ensure collaboration in methodological, analytical, project, and research work. Both MSUCE and Smart Engineering believe that the signing of the agreement is the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship of cooperation and are looking forward to their first joint projects.

MSUCE is one of the oldest technical institutes of higher education in the Russian Federation. Throughout 100 years of history, this institution has made a major contribution towards the development of research works in the field of Civil Engineering and its following application to the construction industry. By signing this agreement, MSUCE shows its interest in working together with Smart Engineering and recognizes its experience in the field of materials technology and structural engineering.

Nowadays, society demands advances in science and technology that can hardly be achieved without close collaboration between researchers and professionals in the field; therefore, the collaboration between companies, research institutes, and universities is of paramount importance.

Boost for the use of Barcelona test as a method to evaluate FRC post-cracking behaviour

Boost for the use of Barcelona test as a method to evaluate FRC post-cracking behaviour

by Smart Engineering Barcelona News Uncategorized

ASTM International (Americal Society for Testing and Materials) has recently posted that it is working towards the implementation of a new standard to evaluate the performance of fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC). This standard introduces a double-punch test on cylindrical specimens as a method for FRC characterization. Along the same line, UNE 83515 standardized the double-punch test known as Barcelona test  (developed at Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya) as a test to determine the toughness and residual strength of FRC.

ASTM’s concrete and concrete aggregates committee C09 is in charge of developing this standard. The organization itself emphasizes that the double-punch test allows the FRC characterization based on a method with less variability and more efficiency than beam-type testing. It is an indirect tensile test that only requires regular compression testing equipment and small specimens.

Thus, the standardization of the double-punch test by ASTM International will represent an important boost for the implementation of Barcelona test as a characterization method of the post-cracking behaviour and energy absorption of FRC. Barcelona test offers important advantages over other types of essays. On the one hand, it can be straightforwardly carried out in regular compressive testing equipment and it uses light and easy to handle specimens. On the other hand, its use reduces the dispersion of results, which is a substantial advantage in its application as a quality control system of the FRC.

For all this, the use of Barcelona test as a quality control system for FRC provides a more reliable and robust characterization and allows a reduction in the cost and time associated with other testing types. In this field, Smart Engineering has already successfully employed Barcelona test, along with the inductive method, for addressing the optimization of the quality control system for FRC in projects such as the Follo Line tunnel (Norway), developed by the Joint Venture AGJV, or the Bank Station Capacity Upgrade (UK). Furthermore, Barcelona test will be introduced by the Joint Venture SCS as a control method for one of the sections of a great European project, HS2 “High Speed Two” (UK). 

Smart Engineering works on the development of tools based on autonomous learning

Smart Engineering works on the development of tools based on autonomous learning

by Smart Engineering Barcelona News Uncategorized

Smart Engineering has started a new project at the beginning of the year for the development of tools based on autonomous learning and massive data analysis, with application in different areas of civil engineering ranging from the precast sector to construction. This project is part of a Torres Quevedo grant for the incorporation of doctors to private companies, from the Ministry of Science and Innovation (PTQ-18-90877). Thanks to the aforementioned help, Tai Ikumi PhD has joined Smart Engineering.

Nowadays, data is positioned as one of the most dynamic sources of economic benefit in many economic sectors. Data analysis has shown that it has the ability to improve the performance and productivity of any economic activity. However, its use in the civil engineering sector still remains marginal. In fact, it is often openly recognized that in many cases the registered data is not even analyzed. This is due to the difficulty of allocating highly qualified human technical resources to tasks that are still carried out very manually today in the field of civil engineering. These types of practices run counter to current trends, as they disregard the enormous potential of the data.

The general objective of the project is the development of data-based products for the optimization of construction processes. To meet this technological and scientific challenge, models based on machine learning are currently being developed capable of predicting the evolution of the mechanical properties of different concretes (conventional, ultra-high resistance, sprayed, fibre-reinforced) based on dosage and curing conditions. This line of activity encompasses the existing project with Chatu Tech for the development and commercialization of chips with RFID technology for use in concrete structures and elements.

The integrated sensor solution together with the intelligent algorithm allows real-time wireless monitoring of the resistance evolution in concrete elements. This is a critical piece of information that enables the optimization of a multitude of construction processes, such as the formwork stripping time, the opening pavement to traffic, the tensioning time of the prestressed cable, etc. Any reduction in construction / manufacturing times translates directly into a minimization of the environmental impact of the activities and the associated costs. Currently, the first tests on an industrial scale are already being carried out, both in the field of civil works, underground works and precast, resulting in very promising results.

Smart Engineering selected for the Ingenium Celsa acceleration program

Smart Engineering selected for the Ingenium Celsa acceleration program

by Smart Engineering Barcelona News Uncategorized

On February 28, 2017, Smart Engineering was selected for the Ingenium acceleration program organized by Celsa Group. The Ingenium program promoted by Celsa Group, is an initiative that seeks talents able to successfully solve the challenges the company is facing. Ingenium was created with the desire to revolutionise the model of the steel sector, to assume the transformation that the Industry 4.0 poses in order to lead the change and revolutionise the steel sector.

Ingenium arises to solve the challenges Celsa Group faces day by day in its production process, or to include new technologies in industrial processes which revolutionise the sector. These challenges, grouped into 5 large groups, are: 1 – Energy storage, 2 – Traceability in the supply chain, 3 – 3-D printing, 4 – Smart steel, and 5 – Use of byproducts

In this edition of the Ingenium program, 48 proposals were presented, with 20 being submitted to the final phase. Smart Engineering participated in the final selection phase with three different projects. Two of them sought to valorize blast furnace slags, transforming it into a product of high added value. The other project was to modify the steel reinforcements in such a way that they have intrinsic sensing capacity. In total 10 projects have been selected, with Smart Engineering being the only company with two finalist projects. Now a 6 to 8 month acceleration and mentoring program is being set up between Celsa Group Senior Managers and Smart Engineering to transform projects into pilots. In this way, Smart Engineering is consolidated as a leading innovation and development company in the Civil Engineering sector, clearly betting on the development of new materials with improved properties and contributing to sustainability.
Smart Engineering collaborates with the Diputación of Barcelona in the prioritization of the Zonal Plan

Smart Engineering collaborates with the Diputación of Barcelona in the prioritization of the Zonal Plan

by Smart Engineering Barcelona News Uncategorized

Smart Engineering has been developing since October 2016 a multi-criteria tool for the Diputación of Barcelona. This tool, based on the MIVES methodology, will improve the decision-making process and the prioritization of investments for the Zonal Plan of the local road network of the Diputación of Barcelona. The Zonal Plan planned to allocate 5.4 M € per year in the period 2011-2025 for the direct financing of actions to improve municipal roads and their incorporation into the local network of the Diputación de Barcelona.

The multi-criteria MIVES methodology developed at the UPC allows the development of tools and models for decision-making aid and value and sustainability analysis. This methodology incorporates the possibility of considering value functions, integrating different requirements (economic, social, environmental, technical, etc.), as well as considering homogeneous or heterogeneous alternatives and using hierarchical mathematics (AHP) for the assignment of weights of the indicators.

The tool that Smart Engineering is developing for the Diputación of Barcelona will allow to consider different aspects when making the decision to renew the municipal roads. In this sense, different economic, social and environmental aspects will be taken into account. In this way, a prioritization of investments can be made according to objective, transparent and public criteria. This results in increased sustainability of public investments, as well as transparency of institutions and decision-making processes. The project is expected to be completed by the end of March 2017