Projects per year
Organisation profile
Introduction / mission
The Aluminium research area focuses on the general aspects of aluminium design as well as its integration with related building aspects.
Highlighted phrase
Contributing to structural use of aluminium in building and civil engineering
Organisational profile
Research at the chair of Aluminium Structures considers the structural properties of aluminium alloys as well as how it is integrated into a wide range of structures. The research contributes to better understanding of structural performance, for example when subjected to fatigue loading or when exposed to fire. The research carried out in this area contributes to an adequate structural application of aluminium in buildings and other structures. This research is intended to make a significant contribution to the structural use of aluminium in building and civil engineering applications.
By analyzing the structural performance of aluminium structures with regard to areas such as fatigue, fracturing, joining and structural fire resistance the research area is contributing to better understanding its properties and improving the position of this material in building, civil engineering and other applications.
Our research themes
1. Make structures safe
- ductile response
- response to repetitive load
- response to fire and blast
Structures should be safe in use. It implies that the probability of failure is sufficiently low and that the structure ideally has the possibility to redistribute forces in case of a local failure or overload.
- Structures need to have sufficient ductility. This implies requirements to the materials used but also the structural detailing, especially the joints. We build numerical models to determine the structural ductility.
- The fatigue resistance is an important area of research. Our research focusses on experimental and numerical prediction models and on reliability levels.
- Extreme load events, such as a fire, may damage a structure. We study the structural performance in case of fire exposure. Aim is to provide a safe escape possibility in case of a severe fire.
2. Enable / improve production
- bend / roll extruded sections
- (re)shape at various temperatures
- new applications
We model various production processes, such as cold bending of extruded sections. Our models provide predictions of the performance of the aluminium components during and after production. This enables or improves the production.
3. Reduce resources
- enhance existing structures
- re-use components
- optimize designs
Aluminium and its alloys are well known for their recycling possibilities. Aluminium can be melted and re-used, but it is also possible to demount old structures and reuse the components. Another possible application is the refurbishment and upgrading of existing structures, such as in case of bridge decks (see photos).
Our research relates to:
- Joining of different materials, in the construction phase but also during its use.
- The requirements and the determination of the performance of already used components, e.g. the acceptability of flaws in static or fatigue loaded structures.
In many cases, the research concerns the development of optimised models to predict the structural response of real structures. Numerical simulation models are developed that are dedicated to a certain type of structural shape and loading condition. Small or full-scale tests in our laboratory are used for calibration and/or validation of these simulation models. The knowledge gained is transferred to design models that practitioners can apply in developing a structural design. See the chain of figures for an example. The research enhances the application of aluminium structures.
Fingerprint
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Profiles
-
Denis Goto
- Built Environment, Aluminium Structures - Doctoral Candidate
Person: Prom. : doctoral candidate (PhD)
-
Sjoerd Hengeveld
- Built Environment, Aluminium Structures - Doctoral Candidate
Person: Prom. : doctoral candidate (PhD)
-
B.W.E.M. (Dianne) van Hove
- Built Environment, Aluminium Structures - University Lecturer
Person: OWP : University Teacher / Researcher
Projects
- 1 Finished
-
Innovative health monitoring for circular steel infrastructure
1/11/20 → 30/11/21
Project: Research direct
-
A pyrolysis model for steel-insulation sandwich building façade systems under fire
Xu, Q., Hofmeyer, H., Maljaars, J. & van Herpen, R. A. P., Sept 2023, In: CE/Papers. 6, 3-4, p. 2161-2166 6 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Conference article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Downloads (Pure) -
A two-scale method to include essential screw connection behaviour in two-way coupled fire-structure simulations
Xu, Q., Hofmeyer, H. & Maljaars, J., Aug 2023, (Accepted/In press) In: Journal of Structural Fire Engineering. xx, xxResearch output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Open Access1 Citation (Scopus) -
Changes to the lambda model for fatigue loads on steel railway bridges in Europe
Maljaars, J. & Verdenius, S., 1 Sept 2023, In: CE/Papers. 6, 3-4, p. 2534-2539 6 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Downloads (Pure)
Student theses
-
A design rule to include the effect of leaning columns in steel frame stability
Author: Broeks, W. M., 23 Feb 2021Supervisor: Snijder, H. H. (Supervisor 1), Teeuwen, P. A. (External coach), Leonetti, D. (Supervisor 2) & Hofmeyer, H. (Supervisor 2)
Student thesis: Master
File -
Analysis of plastic failure in case of a (fatigue) crack
Author: Hermus, J. K. M., 27 Mar 2018Supervisor: Maljaars, J. (Supervisor 1), Leonetti, D. (Supervisor 2) & Snijder, H. H. (Supervisor 2)
Student thesis: Master
File -
Automated two-way coupled CFD fire and thermomechanical FE analyses of a self-supporting sandwich panel façade system
Author: de Boer, J. G. G. M., 26 Jun 2018Supervisor: Hofmeyer, H. (Supervisor 1), Maljaars, J. (Supervisor 2) & van Herpen, R. (Supervisor 2)
Student thesis: Master
File