Projects 2025
Project 1: Use of Polymer-Modified Concretes (PCC) for Innovative Refurbishment Solutions
Dr.-Ing. Alexander Flohr (Chair of Construction Chemistry and Polymer Materials) & Jun.-Prof. Luise Göbel (Chair of Mechanics of Engineering)
Concretes are modified by the addition of polymers in order to improve the durability and the adhesive strength and due to that measure, they suit optimal for refurbishment applications. The microstructural changes in the binder matrix, which consists of both cementitious and polymer components, will be studied. Afterwards it will be analyzed how they influence the macroscopic properties. The students will perform and analyze laboratory tests on different pure polymer specimens and selected concrete specimens in order to better understand the microscopic origin of the macroscopic behavior. The link between the micromechanical and macroscopic properties is briefly established using a continuum micromechanics approach. Different innovative restoration applications are addressed, in addition some examples will be shown for the use of PCC for constructional purposes.
Project 2: Performance-Based Façade Design: Safety, Serviceability, Sustainability
Angela Mejorin, Ph.D., Mejorin A. Consulting & Eda Özaltay (Chair of Computer Science in Architecture and Urbanism, BUW)
The project will incorporate Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and specifically focus on calculating embodied carbon for both the façade and structural elements, based on materials’ Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)
Cutting-edge facade design strategies and innovations
Major safety and resiliency strategies
Serviceability considerations in façade design
Guidelines for sustainable façade solutions
Application of BIM-Tools
Project 3: Seismic resilience in structural design: advanced methods and applications
Jun.-Prof. Lars Abrahamczyk (Chair of Advanced Structures) & Dr. Carlos Emiliano González Calva (UNAM, Mexico)
The project will explore earthquake resistant design strategies that go beyond traditional performance-based approaches by incorporating resilience metrics. Topics will comprise structural modeling, damage and recovery assessment and life-cycle deterioration analysis.
- Introduction to Seismic Resilience and Performance-Based Design
- Structural Modeling and Advanced Seismic Design Strategies
- Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis for Resilience-Based Design
- Resilience quantification: Functionality loss estimation and recovery functions
- Resilience enhancement with seismic protection technologies
Project 4: Computational and Experimental Wind Engineering for Long-span Bridges
Dr. Samir Chawdhury & Prof. Dr. Guido Morgenthal (Chair of Modelling and Simulation of Structures)
- Introduction to Wind Engineering: Fundamentals and advanced methods related to long-span cable-supported bridges.
- Aerodynamic phenomena: Understanding key wind effects on bridges, including aerodynamic and aeroelastic responses.
- Aerodynamic parameters: Identifying key aerodynamic parameters to investigate given reference bridges for relevant aerodynamic phenomena.
- Methodology: Exploring analytical methods, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, and experimental wind tunnel tests, along with their advantages and limitations.
- Structural safety and performance: Assessing serviceability concerns and ultimate limit state scenarios.
Project 5: Innovation Challenge: Transformation through Sustainable Innovations
Jun.-Prof. Dr. Nikolaus Seitz (Chair of Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer)
Are you ready to shape the future as an impact entrepreneur? In this hands-on Innovation Sprint Challenge, international teams with diverse backgrounds will develop their own ideas to make the construction and built environment sector more sustainable. Whether it's launching an app, rethinking resource use, or tackling social and urban challenges – the focus is on agile, fast, and solution-oriented innovation.
Guided by startup mentors, experts, and entrepreneurs, you’ll gain practical skills through bootcamps, design thinking workshops, and inspiring talks. Apply Lean Startup principles to turn your ideas into tangible actionable strategies.