CSZ is one of the main sponsors of the Canadian Steel Conference, taking place November 12-14, 2024 in Calgary, Alberta. This trade event offers the ideal opportunity to learn about the latest developments in steel construction and to exchange ideas with leading industry experts.

• Visit us at our booth!
  Take the opportunity to get to know our international reference projects and learn more about CSZ’s technical solutions. Our experts are ready to provide insights into our company and our engineering and sustainability work and to answer your questions.
• Network with us and the industry
  The Canadian Steel Conference not only offers informative presentations and talks, but also numerous networking opportunities with specialists and industry experts. Learn more about current best practices and innovative solutions in steel construction.
• Further information and appointments
  Visit the official website of the Canadian Steel Conference for details on the conference program, speakers and calendar of events.
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We look forward to meeting you in Calgary!

The Sparkasse in Bensheim is back in the city center: On October 31, the main branch was ceremoniously reopened. Among the guests were the Mayor of Bensheim, Christine Klein, and Chairman of the Management Board of Sparkasse Bensheim, Johannes Erich Schulz, who both emphasized the importance of this event for the town and the region.

CSZ is responsible for the entire structural design of the conversion and renovation project. We would like to thank everyone involved for their excellent cooperation and are delighted to have been part of this exciting project and to have contributed to the revitalization of Bensheim’s city centre!

Photo: Sparkasse Bensheim

State-of-the-art technology for innovative agricultural research
The new two-storey research greenhouse has been successfully handed over to its users. It offers optimal conditions for agricultural science and supports research into the material cycle between plants, insects and fish in the smallest of spaces. In this innovative approach, the previously separate three production systems are established in closed spatial units, the so-called CUBES.

Efficient use of resources in the CIRCLE
Plant production takes place in a transparent shell (film greenhouse) on the upper floor. Heat energy, water, liquid nutrients, gases, residual materials and information are exchanged between the units in closed energy and material cycles (CIRCLE). This enables the effective use of resources and promotes sustainable research approaches.

Planning and monitoring by CSZ
CSZ not only planned the sophisticated and modern building and greenhouse technology, but also developed the research-relevant process engineering and monitored its implementation. The building is heated and cooled by an efficient heat pump. If the heat storage tank is empty, the heating output can also be covered by district heating. The individual CUBES are heated and cooled as required using circulating air heating and cooling units, which are specially designed for rooms with high humidity levels.

Technical details at a glance:

• High-pressure spray system: Humidification and adiabatic cooling of the film greenhouse on the upper floor.
• Greenhouse control: Fault and operating messages are forwarded; the following areas are controlled and regulated:
  • finned tubes
  • Air circulation units (heating/cooling)
  • Mechanical cross ventilation via fans
  • High-pressure humidification
  • Actual values via sensors in the field (temperature, humidity, CO2, CH4, NH3, N2O, O2)
  • Window drives for roof ventilation
  • Assimilation lighting
  • Energy screens

Research with a future
CSZ wishes all employees of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin much joy and success in research and development in their new research greenhouse.

Further information is available at the following links:
https://www.hu-berlin.de/en/press-portal/nachrichten-en/september-2024/nr-24927

• Diversity in engineering education: a look at the current capstone project.
  The University of Calgary’s Civil Engineering Capstone Project, in which students develop real-world solutions to challenges in civil engineering, transportation, project management and environmental engineering, has been underway for over a month. The teams have already signed team contracts and developed project proposals, impressively demonstrating the diversity and creativity of the students. Interested parties can view an overview of last year’s projects here.
• CSZ and the engineers of tomorrow: focus on sustainable bridge solutions.
  This year, CSZ is supporting a group at the Schulich School of Engineering with their final project in bridge construction. Eight students are being supervised over two semesters by CSZ, which is acting as a technical partner. Under the supervision of Dr. Mamdouh El-Badry and CSZ experts Sascha Millich and Daniel Pister, they are developing alternative designs for a pedestrian bridge over the ICE line in Gernsheim, Hesse.
• CSZ in Calgary: New opportunities for intercultural engineering projects.
  With the opening of the new CSZ branch in Calgary, German Canadian cooperation is now also tangible in person. The students took the opportunity to present their interim results and gather valuable feedback for further project planning.
• Optimization in three dimensions: Construction costs, accessibility and sustainability.
  The focus of the project is on optimizing construction costs, accessibility and sustainability. The students are working on two alternative designs for a 24-metre-long wooden bridge that is economical, functional and environmentally friendly.
• CSZ: a tradition of support for budding engineers.
  This collaboration has a long tradition: CSZ already supported a similar project to design a pedestrian and cycle bridge in Bad Vilbel, Germany, in the 2023/2024 academic year. CSZ is pleased to offer practical expertise and continuous support in the service of engineering education.
• Theory meets practice: a milestone for the bridge engineers of tomorrow.
  This capstone project provides students with an excellent opportunity to tackle real-world bridge engineering challenges and experience the connection between theory and practice first-hand. CSZ wishes the Canadian students continued success and looks forward to the innovative designs that will emerge from this transatlantic collaboration.

Oliver Voß, Head of Building Information Modeling at CSZ, attended the “Infrastructure Digital – Building and Planning 4.0” congress in Giessen on September 5 and 6.

What were the main topics? Which important trends for the future of construction were recognizable?

Oliver Voß was impressed by the high quality of the presentations, which were impressive in terms of both content and presentation. A key trend was the development of integrative platforms that link model and metadata with geographical and topographical information. This enables “real-time” work with dynamic data packages and improves efficiency in the planning process.

Which presentations were particularly relevant?

• Model-based approval process in road construction: This promising method can also be transferred to approval and inspection processes in structural and civil engineering.
• Autodesk data strategy: As CSZ uses Autodesk software on a broad scale, the presentation provided valuable impetus for the use of the Autodesk Construction Cloud.
• Model-based approval process in road construction: This promising method can also be transferred to approval and inspection procedures in structural and civil engineering.
• Autodesk’s data strategy: As CSZ uses Autodesk software on a broad scale, the presentation provided valuable impetus for the use of the Autodesk Construction Cloud.

What innovative ideas were presented for the construction industry?

• Model-based DIN standards: Insights into working with construction industry-based data sets.
• BIM model-based life cycle assessment: potential for sustainable building physics.
• Preservation of the Schwedler Bridge in Frankfurt: Innovative approaches in bridge re
• Digital twin at Deutsche Bahn: Central BIM strategies for the future.

Conclusion: The congress provided valuable impetus for the future of digital construction. Two of BIM’s core aspects – data management and process simulation – ran as an underlying theme through all lectures during the two congress days. Mr. Voss is looking forward to integrating these findings into the projects at CSZ and thus opening up new paths to greater efficiency and sustainability.

Kongress Infrastruktur digital planen und bauen 4.0 (thm.de)

On the sunny Friday afternoon of September 20th, a few CSZ team members from Darmstadt and Frankfurt set off for the Darmstadt climbing forest—an adventure that we will all remember fondly!

The day in the climbing forest was a complete success and the CSZ team had a lot of fun. With a good dose of adventure, a touch of humor and even a little fear of heights for some, the afternoon turned into a successful team event.

After a short safety briefing, we finally got started. Equipped with climbing harnesses, the CSZ members immediately felt like pros! While some mastered the course at a leisurely pace, others literally scurried through the treetops. What was particularly impressive was how confidently some of them mastered the highest courses – almost like a “Mission Impossible”.

The combination of adrenaline, fear of heights and the constant question “Will the rope really hold?” made for many hearty laughs and nerve-wracking moments. As engineers and draughtsmen, the CSZ’ers plan complex buildings and infrastructures every day, but balancing on swaying ropes at dizzying heights presented a whole new challenge – and above all a huge amount of fun!

A big thank you to everyone who made this afternoon an unforgettable team event. We are already looking forward to the next adventure!

The Darmstadtium, an impressive conference and science center in the heart of Darmstadt, combines futuristic design with technical precision. The architectural masterpiece with its striking geometry and glass facades was a real challenge – not only aesthetically, but also in terms of engineering.

Challenges in the heart of the old town
The Darmstadtium is located in the middle of the historic old town, surrounded by listed buildings such as the Residenzschloss. The planning of the structure was particularly challenging, as it was to be founded on the edge fault of the Upper Rhine Graben and archaeological finds from Roman times had to be taken into account. Parts of a medieval fortification that were discovered during the construction work are now open to the public and were integrated into the architecture.

Complex structural planning for modern architecture
The bold architecture of the Darmstadtium, with sloping walls and wide cantilevered structures, required sophisticated structural engineering. The CSZ engineers developed a steel structure that enables high stability and open, column-free spaces. In addition to the aesthetic and structural challenges, the focus was on sustainability. Thanks to an innovative energy concept based on geothermal energy and other renewable energy sources, the building’s energy consumption was significantly reduced.

CSZ Ingenieurconsult: structural engineering and more
CSZ’s services included structural design, building and room acoustics as well as thermal insulation. With innovative solutions, the engineers made an important contribution to the construction of this pioneering building.

*The photographs were taken by Claus Graubner, Holger Ullmann, Juergen Mai, Lothar Keuch, Roland Halbe, CSZ and Darmstadtium.