Welcome to the Chair of Advanced Structures!
Our research and teaching focuses on the system analysis of structures including derivation of suitable partial models, engineering consideration of coupling and interactions, recording and consideration of extreme and changing load conditions as well as avoidance or evaluation of collapse potential using latest technologies (tools of digital engineering). Advanced Structures not only include the structures with high risk potential, lightweight and tent constructions, but also includes the use of damping elements and the interaction phenomena in standard construction methods.
Field Trip »Kalocsa-Paks Danube Bridge«
The Kalocsa-Paks Danube Bridge undergoes intensive static and dynamic testing on the 4th of May 2024. It is the 20th bridge on the Hungarian stretch of the Danube. Spanning an impressive 946 metres, the bridge is accompanied by an extensive road network and is constructed by Duna Aszfalt at a total cost of EUR 238.8 million.
The new bridge crossing the Danube in the region of Paks and Kalocsa boasts a consistent, artistic appearance despite incorporating various types of structural elements. Spanning approximately 946 meters in total length, the bridge features a public road with one lane in each direction, accompanied by bidirectional bicycle paths on both sides. Comprising nine spans, the bridge consists of three distinct structural components: the flood-zone bridge on the left bank, the river bridge, and the flood-zone bridge on the right bank.
The superstructure of the 440-meter-long extradosed (prestressed and cable-stayed) river bridge comprises three spans with parabolic arches above the river piers. The primary load-bearing element is a twin-cell box girder, characterized by sloped and middle walls made of trapezoidal steel sheets, while the upper portion comprises a cantilever floor slab constructed of reinforced concrete. In terms of construction and structural loads, the superstructure incorporates a reinforced concrete floor slab with prestressed longitudinal cables and fixed inserts, alongside tensioned sliding cables within the box girder to mitigate the effects of the payload.
The load testing of the bridge was conducted under the supervision of Prof. László Dunai, and Assist. Prof. Balázs Kövesdi along with their teams from the Department of Structural Engineering at Budapest University of Technology and Economics (BME) who carefully planned the testing mechanism and load case scenarios for the bridge. Strain Guages were strategically employed at critical locations on the bridge to monitor local deformation during various load cases. In addition, the measurement data was compared to an advanced numerical finite element (FE) model to facilitate verfication of the field test. Prof. Szabolcs Rózsa (incoming dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering) took charge of the on-field measurements, supported by expert surveyors from the Department of Geodesy and Surveying at BME.
