CSZ at the 15th Conference on Structural Analysis – Building Practice in Hamburg

The 15th Conference on Structural Analysis – Building Practice took place for the first time in the Hanseatic city and offered a pioneering platform for leading minds from the construction industry and research institutions. Mr. Klipp, Managing Engineer, and Mr. Kose, Director (CSZ Hamburg), were of course also present.
With over 270 experts and 95 presentations, the event provided an inspiring forum for modern ideas and professional exchange. From innovative calculation methods to forward-looking design concepts, the presentations provided a fascinating insight into the latest developments and challenges in structural analysis and construction practice.

CSZ involved in LUNA: lunar mission center takes shape

On January 26, 2024, the topping-out ceremony marked a significant milestone for the European Astronaut Center LUNA, whose implementation is in full swing. In collaboration with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and the European Space Agency (ESA), a pioneering location for space research and training is being created south of Cologne.
The center will prepare astronauts for upcoming moon missions. Renowned personalities such as Daniel Neuenschwander (ESA Director for Human and Robotic Exploration), Frank de Winne (Head of the European Astronaut Center) and active ESA astronauts were present at the topping-out ceremony, which underlines the importance of the project.
The main attraction will be a 1000 square meter main hall, with a 700 square meter test field to simulate lunar surface conditions. The design of the hall is not only functional, but also aesthetically pleasing: the façade with a unique perforated pattern and the matt black surface help to minimize reflections and create optimal training conditions.
CSZ is proud to be part of this pioneering project that symbolizes progress and international cooperation in space. Our close cooperation with the #LUNA project emphasizes our commitment to innovative and pioneering ventures. We look forward to continuing to contribute to space exploration and preparing the next generation of astronauts for their missions.
Photos: VR Simulation EAC

Health center in sight: CSZ at the groundbreaking ceremony

On March first, a significant milestone was celebrated at the Böblingen airfield: the symbolic ground-breaking ceremony for the Center for Mental Health. With a budget of 100 million euros, this new building project is of enormous importance for the region. CSZ is responsible for the planning of technical equipment, structural design, building physics, as well as preventive fire protection, and was present on site directly at the groundbreaking ceremony. The Zentrum für Psychiatrie Calw (ZfP) – Klinikum Nordschwarzwald is planning the construction of this new centralized clinic building to provide psychiatric care for people in the Böblingen/Sindelfingen area. The planned location in the immediate vicinity of the Flugfeldklinikum represents a significant expansion of the healthcare infrastructure.
Particularly noteworthy is the ecological planning approach of the design, which enables harmonious integration into the surroundings. The building develops organically out of a large green area and creates spacious outdoor areas for various user groups through roof terraces.
CSZ is proud to be setting new standards with this pioneering project and is delighted to be working with renowned planning partners such as a+r Architekten GmbH, ERNST² Architekten AG, Glück Landschaftsarchitektur and ENDERA-Gruppe GmbH. Together, we are striving to make the Center for Mental Health a beacon project for the region.

Bridge renovation with foresight: CSZ focuses on sustainability (Bensheim)

The importance of sustainability in infrastructure construction is constantly increasing. The refurbishment of the bridge along Saarstrasse across the DB railway in Bensheim is an outstanding example of how the service life of a structure can be significantly extended through professional planning and implementation by CSZ.
The bridge structure from 1975, which spans a railroad line in three spans, showed signs of damage to abutments, supports, the bridge deck and the sidewalk caps over the course of time. The challenge was clear: a comprehensive renovation to ensure the safety and functionality of this important traffic artery.
CSZ took on the renovation planning, local construction supervision, structural inspection in accordance with DIN 1076 and bridge recalculation. Various measures were carried out, including the renewal of the waterproofing and bridge caps, the replacement of roadway transition structures and bearings as well as the repair of the chamber walls. Particular attention was paid to the renewal of the contact protection, which was demolished during night-time closures and replaced with vertical protection. Precise coordination with Deutsche Bahn meant that the measures could be implemented on schedule.
A particular highlight of the renovated bridge is the Bensheim graffiti, which now adorns the abutment on Lahnstraße and underlines the connection between the city and its infrastructure in a unique way.
The successful bridge renovation in Bensheim is not only an example of professional engineering work, but also a step towards sustainable infrastructure. With this project, CSZ is setting new standards and demonstrating how responsible planning and implementation can promote safety, efficiency and resource conservation.

Engineering meeting at CSZ (Darmstadt)

On January 17, despite the local black ice warning, we had the pleasure of welcoming esteemed guests to our office: Professor Dr. Mamdouh El-Badry from the Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary, as well as the managing partners Professor Dr.-Ing. Rolf Katzenbach and Matthias Seip from KATZENBACH INGENIEURE.
Professor El-Badry presented his many years of research work on an innovative hybrid truss girder that he has developed for bridge construction. He also explained the methods he helped to develop, which are already being used successfully in Canada to monitor the performance of infrastructure.
Professor Katzenbach then presented the Combined Pile-Raft Foundation (CPRF), which was significantly shaped by him. The CPRF which is used very successfully and cost-effectively, especially for the foundation of high-rise buildings worldwide, to transferring very high and excentric building loads into the subsoil.
The top-class presentations led to a lively exchange and even brought the former president of the Association of Consulting Engineers (VBI) and co-founder of CSZ, Dr.-Ing. Volker Cornelius, back to our office after a long time. This educated and interesting format showed once again how versatile, innovative and exciting our field of work is. It made it clear why our heart beats so passionately for civil engineering.

CSZ – Precise structural diagnostics with Hilti Ferroscan PS 300

CSZ is an official Hilti detection service provider and offers precise structural diagnostics for successful construction projects by integrating the Hilti Ferroscan PS 300.

Precise reinforcement analysis: The Hilti PS 300 enables us to carry out non-destructive reinforcement analyses of concrete structures. It uses five-coil technology and has an integrated touchscreen. The device is particularly suitable for larger structures such as tunnel or bridge renovations.
Efficient scanning of large concrete surfaces: We use the PS 300 Ferroscan detection system in combination with the PSA 71 measuring extension to scan large areas with high precision and efficiency. This enables precise localization of reinforcements and estimation of rebar diameters, even with cover measurements of up to 18 cm.
Versatile applications: The PS 300 Ferroscan system proves its worth in building inspections, checking changes of use and subsequent reinforcement connections. It plays a crucial role in checking the concrete cover for refurbishment measures, quality assurance and inspections to prevent damage during execution.

With the Hilti Ferroscan PS300, CSZ has sharpened the focus of building diagnostics in this area. Thanks to its wide range of applications, the device is used in every refurbishment project to contribute to the success of the project.

(Foto: Hilti Deutschland AG)

CSZ: Actively shaping digitalization in the construction industry (BIM 2024)

In the era of digital transformation, Building Information Modeling (BIM) is not only essential for the efficient planning and implementation of construction projects, but also promotes sustainability and optimizes operational processes in the construction industry.
The book “Hier steckt BIM drin!” presents 23 impressive construction projects, realized by members of buildingSMART, who successfully apply BIM and the open standards in practice. The renowned architectural firm Ackermann und Raff (a+r) is planning to publish the groundbreaking “Center for Mental Health” project in Böblingen, with CSZ responsible for the planning of preventive fire protection, technical equipment and structural design.
CSZ is very happy to support the book and the association to promote the BIM planning method in the construction industry. The active participation in the book project “Hier steckt BIM drin! 2024” underlines CSZ’s commitment to the digital transformation.

Donges Award for Niklas Brand’s Master’s thesis

The Donges Sponsorship Award, presented for the eleventh time at the end of October, honors young scientists in steel construction at TU Darmstadt. Mr. Niklas Brand, Project Engineer Construction Engineering at CSZ in Darmstadt, is one of this year’s prize winners. His award-winning master’s thesis “Investigations into the material process of butt-welded joints” was reviewed by a renowned jury, including Prof. Dr.-Ing. Jörg Lange and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Vormwald.
The Donges Promotion Prize, awarded by Donges SteelTec GmbH Darmstadt, honors special theses in steel construction. After a pandemic-related interruption, the prize was awarded again for the first time since 2017, highlighting the high quality of the work submitted.
We warmly congratulate Mr. Brand on this well-deserved award and are pleased that he has been an integral part of our team for a year now. The award reflects not only his achievements to date, but also his promising role in the practical development of steel construction. We wish Mr. Brand much joy and success in his new professional chapter at CSZ.

CSZ shapes the future of firefighting technology (Göttingen)

Proudly presenting its latest flagship project, CSZ showcases the Fire Technology Center (FTZ) in Ebergötzen, Göttingen. On behalf of the county, CSZ is responsible for the planning of structural design and building physics, including thermal insulation, building and room acoustics, as well as energy consulting. DGNB Gold certification is being sought for the new building.
The new FTZ, spanning approximately 4,100 sqm, will serve as the central hub for all fire departments in the county. The facility includes workshops for respiratory protection, hose, and vehicle maintenance, electrical, radio, and medical product areas, a respiratory protection training course, as well as training and administrative rooms and a vehicle hall. The FTZ will also house the command room for the civil protection staff with the associated telecommunication and telephone centers. The L-shaped construction harmoniously blends into the cityscape. Sustainable design in hybrid wood construction, especially with timber framework carriers in the vehicle hall, allows for material savings and flexible technology installation.
The impressive building combines high functionality, energetic efficiency with the Gold Label, optimized sound protection, and is scheduled to be completed by December 31, 2025. CSZ is proud to be part of this groundbreaking project and looks forward to keeping you informed about the progress!
** The model of the new Fire Technology Center (FTZ) in Ebergötzen is designed by the architectural firm Struhk from Braunschweig.

Expansion of the Bridge Construction Team

Since October 2023, Tahamtan Dastagir has been leading the Bridge Construction Team at CSZ Ingenieurconsult GmbH & Co. KG as Managing Engineer. With extensive professional experience in renowned bridge construction companies in the Rhein-Main area, he brings comprehensive expertise and impressive knowledge. We are confident that Mr. Dastagir will play a crucial role in the development of the bridge construction sector and in achieving our corporate goals. We look forward to a successful collaboration. Welcome aboard, Mr. Dastagir!