Linus Schmitz, a Civil Engineering graduate from the Technical University of Braunschweig, has been recognized with the German Steel Construction Award for his pioneering work in employing additive manufacturing to reinforce steel beams subjected to stress.
Schmitz’s research, conducted at the Institute of Structural Design (ITE) at TU Braunschweig, focused on utilizing Directed Energy Deposition (DED) AM to selectively reinforce areas of steel profiles experiencing the highest stresses. By applying metal precisely where needed, this approach enables the creation of slimmer profiles, leading to resource savings and reduced CO2 emissions in steel construction.
The innovative method allows for the production of intricate, free-form elements, offering superior adaptation to local loads compared to mass-produced components like rolled profiles. By combining serial production of rolled profiles with localized reinforcement using DED, the technique harnesses the benefits of both manufacturing methods.
Schmitz’s work, which produced five demonstrators using robotic DED AM machines, systematically investigates reinforcing rolled profiles for various stress types. This approach enables the selection of smaller profile dimensions, with localized reinforcement applied to areas of maximum stress using the Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) process.
Recognized for its potential to enhance circular construction practices and optimize material efficiency, Schmitz’s research opens new avenues for design quality and structural integrity in steel construction. The integration of mobile robots in ongoing research further explores the practical applications of this innovative approach.
Source: magazin.tu-braunschweig.de
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