Prof. Dr-Ing. Matthias Kraus, Prof. Dr. Dipl.-Ing. Guido Morgenthal , M.Sc. Maria Caridad Moscoso Avila and Alexander Stanic (all Bauhaus-Universität Weimar)

To ensure the safety and serviceability of existing structures, the representation of these structures in numerical analysis models must accurately reflect their current condition. Recalculations are often based on original plan data, which merely reflect a desired state and may not be representative of reality. If original plans are not available, the structure may be surveyed by classic manual or digital measurements.

The most common techniques of digital measurements are 3D laser scanning and photogrammetry. Digital measurements are not only very fast and effective, they also yield digital models directly, which eliminates the step of a manual data treatment and thus avoids errors and inaccuracies. Photogrammetry becomes increasingly popular, especially for the structural surveying of large structures such as bridges. By means of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) equipped with a high-resolution camera, it is easy to survey areas that are difficult to access. A 3D geometry model can be generated from the images through photogrammetric reconstruction. It can subsequently be used for visualisation purposes but may also form the basis of structural static or dynamic simulations through the generation of a numerical model. This modern workflow facilitates the determination of real structural capacity based on as-built and even as-damaged structures.

The aim of the project is to develop an algorithmic workflow that transfers a 3D geometry model into a numerical model for simulations, based on the acquired knowledge on 3D data recordings. Participants should develop an approach to transfer the 3D geometry model of a steel beam into a numerical model, apply the procedure to a sample structure and present their approach. The numerical analysis of the structure in a 3D FEM based software should be carried out and its behaviour regarding flexural buckling evaluated. The results of the ultimate load capacity and other effects should be then compared with those reached in an experimental Examination.