Switch2Steel

The objective of the Switch2Steel project is to conceive and produce a platform that supports architecture and engineering offices in calculating and optimizing the cost of industrial and commercial pavilions built in metallic structures, in order to increase the competitiveness of the use of metallic structures in this type of buildings.

1. Conception of a base platform for the calculation of metallic structures, evolutionary, made available in a software-as-a-service logic and capable of offering the necessary functionalities to the target audiences, with the su- pport of several channels and parameterization that allows the combination of several design techniques – depending on the requirements defined for the pavilion and the legislation applicable to the place where it will be built.

2. Implementation of the aforementioned package of optimization strategies in the form of software modules, integrated into the base platform and ca- pable of being parameterized (for localization support) and flexibly combi- ned. Investigation and design of a package of optimization techniques for metallic constructions that can be incorporated into the design and construction processes, in order to generate cost savings. In the field of ci- vil construction, in addition to the prescriptive methodologies currently used, methodologies based on the performance of the structure will be adopted. For example will be used, (i) the curves proposed by EC1-1-2 to estimate in a simplified way the thermal action on metallic structures resulting from the fire and (ii) more complete models, using links to programs such as CFAST. The possible connection to the Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) will also be investigated, developed and maintained by NIST’s Building and Fire Research Laboratory (BFRL) in collaboration with several research institu- tions.

3. These construction domain-specific approaches will be combined with advanced multi-criteria optimization solutions, such as evolutionary computing, to maximize optimization potential in a real-life context.

4. Analysis of legislation and technical regulations, and subsequent detailed parameterization of the platform for the most significant markets in Europe, based on reusable modular elements that allow the rapid addition of new countries in the future.

5. Definition and execution of a strategy to promote and disseminate project results.