The laboratory’s activities encompass teaching and research in the fields of design, structural engineering and the reinforcement of reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete structures in building construction, as well as in the field of structural engineering.

We do not view the field of structural engineering as being limited solely to the design of masonry and reinforced concrete structures. The social responsibility of a design engineer is much broader than that.

In addition to design standards, the issue of sustainability in the planned buildings is a key consideration. Our buildings must be durable, cost-effective and flexible in their use so that they can continue to meet the requirements and fulfil the functions expected of them in the future.

Digital planning and construction methods (including BIM and 3D concrete printing) can optimise planning and construction times and make them more cost-effective, thereby maximising the benefits for society whilst making the best use of the limited resources available, such as time and building materials.

Teaching

The training of young engineers is a key task and objective of the laboratory. The focus here is on practice-oriented teaching, using seminar-based methods and digital media, as well as practical examples and experimental investigations.

bachelor's degree:

• Solid Construction 1
• Solid Construction 2
• Structural systems in building construction
• Structural systems in civil engineering
• Interdisciplinary project work

master's degree:

• Structural reinforced concrete construction
• Prestressed concrete construction
• Bridges and civil engineering structures
• Renovation, repair and reinforcement of reinforced concrete structures
• Non-linear structural analysis
• Interdisciplinary project work / BIM project

Practical relevance/activities

The laboratory managers are also involved in practical work outside the university in the fields of structural design and structural analysis, in the preparation of expert reports, in standardisation and in advanced continuing professional development.

Research & Development

The laboratory carries out application-oriented research projects. The research is funded by external grants or takes the form of development projects commissioned directly by industry and the business sector.

We aim to work closely with public and private developers, public authorities, planning stakeholders and construction companies, and offer support to firms and associations with their projects.

The research group on Solid Construction and Structural Engineering focuses on the following key research areas:

• Design and structural engineering of solid-construction buildings
• Transport infrastructure structures (bridges, open-cut tunnels, underground stations)
• Numerical modelling of the load-bearing behaviour of solid structural members, e.g. using the FEM method
• Digital design processes using the BIM method
• Modular construction systems and digital building methods (including 3D concrete printing)
• Renovation of existing buildings
• Structural reinforcement: reinforcement against bending, shear and axial forces using concrete overlay (including shotcrete) and laminates (steel, carbon, etc.)
• Use of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) to reinforce structures
• Design and structural analysis of structures made of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), particularly bridges
• Sustainability assessment and sustainable planning of transport infrastructure (bridges, roads, tunnels)
• Optimising the use of resources and the environmental footprint of solid-construction buildings
• Solid-structure transport routes for rail, road and underground; e.g. ballastless track
• The impact of natural hazards on structures and adapted design: earthquakes, avalanches, etc.
• Research activities are carried out in collaboration with the Institute for Material and Building Research (IMB).

Final assignments

Structural engineering and civil engineering offer a wide range of potential topics for final assignments. In addition to structural design tasks, topics relating to the renovation and reinforcement of existing buildings, as well as research projects linked to specific research initiatives, are also possible.

Detailed information on possible topics, guidance on how to approach the work, and details of previous projects can be found on the profile pages of the Solid Construction Professors.

events

The laboratory supports and regularly organises events and specialist symposia.

• Symposium on Railway Bridges and Structural Engineering, organised in collaboration with the VDEI Academy and TUM
• EC2 Seminar
• School competition in partnership with the Bavarian Chamber of Civil Engineers
• Munich Traffic Noise Protection Days, in collaboration with DVLV, VSVI, the VDEI Academy and the VDEI KIB Technical Committee