IDEA StatiCa and Brno University of Technology join forces to advance structural design

This partnership, officially signed on November 28, 2024, marks the beginning of a joint initiative between the Faculty of Civil Engineering (FCE BUT) at Brno University of Technology and IDEA StatiCa. This agreement emphasizes the development of advanced numerical methods and their promotion in the global engineering community.

At the core of this collaboration are two powerful numerical methods:

• CBFEM (Component-Based Finite Element Method) – Applied to steel and timber structures, co-developed by IDEA StatiCa, FAST VUT, and the Czech Technical University in Prague.
• CSFM (Compatible Stress Field Method) – Applied to concrete structures, developed in collaboration with ETH Zurich.

These methods enable engineers to design complex structural elements with higher precision, improving both safety and efficiency in structural analysis​.

Key goals of the collaboration

The partnership between FAST VUT and IDEA StatiCa focuses on two main objectives:

Scientific research

The partnership will focus on the validation, verification, and testing of numerical methods, supported by physical experiments. It will also explore the integration of artificial intelligence in structural design to enhance accuracy and efficiency.

Knowledge sharing

Research outcomes will be actively shared with the international engineering community through scientific articles, lectures, conference presentations, and social media platforms. This ensures that the insights gained through this collaboration reach professionals, educators, and students worldwide.

Introducing the Laboratory for Numerical Structural Design

A key milestone of this partnership is the establishment of the Laboratory for Numerical Structural Design (LNSD) at FAST VUT, set to begin operations on January 1, 2025, within the Department of Steel and Timber Structures.

The laboratory will serve as a dedicated hub for scientific research, focusing on refining CBFEM and CSFM methodologies. Researchers will conduct validation, verification, and physical testing to push the boundaries of structural design accuracy.

The LNSD team, composed of experienced researchers and talented doctoral students, will work in close collaboration with IDEA StatiCa experts. This integration between academic research and industry expertise will ensure that the results of their work have a direct impact on engineering practices worldwide.

Ing. Martin Vild, PhD., Head of the LNSD Team

“The collaboration between FAST VUT and IDEA StatiCa represents a unique connection between academia and industry. This synergistic initiative will enable significant advancements, contributing to the development of structural engineering on an international level.”

As part of the agreement, we are committed to:

• Providing technical expertise gained from years of software development.
• Offering financial support for complex research projects.
• Ensuring practical application of research results through integration into our software.

Benefits for engineers and the global engineering community

This collaboration delivers clear, practical benefits to engineers in their daily work worldwide. The refinement of CBFEM and CSFM methodologies through ongoing research will continue to enhance their integration into IDEA StatiCa software, providing engineers with reliable tools for precise structural design and analysis. Research findings won’t remain confined to academic papers but will directly influence real-world industry practices, ensuring that innovative solutions are implemented in everyday engineering workflows.

Insights gained from this partnership will also be actively shared with the global engineering community through conferences, peer-reviewed journals, and educational initiatives, fostering knowledge exchange and advancing structural design standards on an international scale.

A long-term vision for structural engineering

The partnership between FAST VUT and IDEA StatiCa isn’t just about research – it’s about creating a sustainable future for structural engineering. With a shared focus on advancing numerical methods, nurturing academic talent, and delivering practical tools to engineers, this collaboration aims to:

• Strengthen the global reputation of Czech structural engineering research.
• Push boundaries in structural analysis and design technologies.
• Inspire the next generation of structural engineers.

As the Laboratory for Numerical Structural Design (LNSD) already began its operations in January 2025, you can expect regular updates on their pioneering research and innovations in structural engineering. At IDEA StatiCa, we don't see this partnership as just a milestone, but as our continuing commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in structural engineering.