Abstract

The construction of dams and their constructive phasing are extremely complex activities, which lead to very high costs and thus require optimization. However, this type of optimization is only assessed by the constructor trying to evaluate alternative scenarios compared to reference scenarios proposed by the designer himself. In this sense it must be increasingly an attempt to approach the integrated project delivery (IPD) approaches advocated by BIM philosophies. The developed framework intends to integrate several valences in an automated way and supported in software tools combine various capacities both in terms of modeling BIM models, but also of thermal calculations and also defining construction phasing. It is precisely in this line that is intended this dissertation.

Therefore, in this study the main objective was the establishment of an integrated framework that would connect the modeling, the thermal calculation and dams constructive phasing according to an IPD. The developed framework will allow that an engineer in the design phase can already take into account a consequence weighted of alternatives and reference scenarios that are quickly investigated and let quickly combine the enormous impact that exists on decisions taken in very preliminary stages of the project.

In the dissertation are presented the three developed computational tools related to the dam’s modelling, the thermal calculation and the constructive phasing.

The dam was modelled through visual programming resorting to Dynamo, that in turn is interoperable with the others developed tools. The thermal analysis preconized by 2D finite difference with a non-linear heat generation and division between layers was implemented in MATLAB. The developed tool for the constructive phasing, equally implemented in MATLAB, is based in a cellular automata algorithm. Finally, is presented a proposed integrated framework containing all of these aspects and where are demonstrated its feasibility and utility.

See the Master thesis here -> http://repositorium.sdum.uminho.pt/handle/1822/40572