The aim of research and development is to create working machines and equipment with progressive technical and technological parameters with economic availability in practice, which correspond to current trends in the handling, disconnecting, crushing or sorting of building materials, recycled construction and demolition waste or materials in the logistics chain.

The development of new machines, additional working mechanisms and logistics systems for the material flow ranges from basic research on the material to be conveyed through the design of solutions to topological optimization of shape and geometry.

The experience gained from the whole process of research and development in the field of working machines and logistics is reflected in the improvement of further research objectives and the transfer of knowledge in teaching to students.

The research covers a wide range of applications in the field of working machines:

• Mobile working and transport construction machinery (excavators, loaders, dumpers, trailers, simulation and optimization of design and hydraulic drives)

• Mobile forest harvesting and transport machines (forest forwarders, skidders, harvesters, simulation and design optimization, dynamic ride analysis)

• Working machines for recycling and treatment of construction materials (classifiers, crushers, mills, simulation of bulk materials, design optimization)

• DEM analysis of bulk materials (simulation of bulk materials for mixing, screening, crushing applications)

• Material flow transport machines (conveyors and flow simulation, design optimization)

• Material flow logistics (material flow simulation for transport, handling, storage and supply strategy selection)

Contact:

Ing. Jaroslav Kašpárek, Ph.D.

Research topic:

• Mobile working machines

• Working machines for recycling and treatment of building materials

• DEM analysis of bulk materials

• Material flow logistics

 Key research partners:

The aim of research and development in the field of mobile working machines is to apply advanced methods in the design of construction machinery, forestry machinery and transport machinery and to design optimization requirements for the structural design and life cycle control of machine components and machinery.

Furthermore, the creation of digital twins for the requirement of Industry 4.0 and above in the field of data processing of the state and behavior of mobile working machines during handling or during the working process. Advanced methods are in numerical simulation, 3D scanning to define precise shapes (manufacturing tolerances, defining material behavior in plastic regions), DEM simulation as cosimulation prediction of machine behavior.

Another sub-objective of the research is the area of prediction of the behaviour of technical parameters of the machine during operation and wireless transmission via 5G networks to the control terminal, or the possibility of remote control of the machine without an operator. Autonomous machine function possibilities during cyclical work activities in a known defined area or in mapping traffic route points.

Research areas for mobile working machines:

• Construction, transport and earthmoving machines.

• Forwarders, skidders, harvesters for logging and transport equipment.

• Simulation of frame structures by numerical methods and topological optimization.

• Simulation of hydraulic drives and their control design.

• Simulation of dynamic ride analysis.

• Research results from this area are continuously used for curriculum upgrading in bachelor, master and doctoral studies.

Contact:

Ing. Jaroslav Kašpárek, Ph.D.

Ing. Lukáš Zeizinger, Ph.D.

Ing. Václav Mergl, Ph.D.

Projects:

Contract research - Mobile column slewing crane - client REMO CZ s.r.o. (2020)

Contract research - Increasing the operational reliability of the LVS 720 forest balancing rig - ordered by Strojírna Novotný s.r.o. (2019 - 2020)

TAČR - Development, optimization and production of a balancing tractor with regard to ecological cleanliness of work and economic processing of biomass in forestry - client Strojírna Novotný s.r.o. (07.2014 - 02.2017)

Results:

ŠKOPÁN, M.; KAŠPÁREK, J.; NOVOTNÝ, T.; Vysoké učení technické v Brně, Brno, CZ Strojírna Novotný, s.r.o., Hrabová, CZ: Nástavba vyvážecího lesního traktoru. 30293, užitný vzor. (2017)

ŠKOPÁN, M.; KAŠPÁREK, J.; NOVOTNÝ, T.; Vysoké učení technické v Brně, Brno, CZ Strojírna Novotný, s.r.o., Hrabová, CZ: Pásový podvozek vyvážecího traktoru. 30155, užitný vzor. (2016)

Publications:

MERGL, V.; PROCHÁZKA, P.; NAGY, M.; ZEIZINGER, L.; VÍTEK, O.; GULAN, L. Power Curve Determination and Electrification of Powertrain System of Harvester Crane Swinging. CROAT J FOR ENG, vol. 45, no. 2, ISSN: 1845-5719.

MERGL, V.; ZEIZINGER, L.; KOMÁNEK, M. Advancing sustainability in forestry machinery: Electro-Hybrid drives for greenhouse gas reduction and enhanced energy efficiency. Central European Forestry Journal, 2024, vol. 70, no. 1, p. 41-50. ISSN: 2454-034X.

MERGL, V.; KAŠPÁREK, J. Verifying the Lifting and Slewing Dynamics of a Harvester Crane with Possible Levelling When Operating on Sloping Grounds. Forests, 2022, vol. 13, no. 2, p. 1-20. ISSN: 1999-4907.

MERGL, V.; KAŠPÁREK, J. Numerical Determination of the Accuracy of Gravity Center Coordinates and Stability of a Model Concept of Harvester with the Rigid Frame. Forests, 2022, vol. 13, no. 4, p. 1-18. ISSN: 1999-4907.

KAŠPÁREK, J.; ŠKOPÁN, M.; POKORNÝ, P.; HLOUŠEK, D. Reverse analysis of the frame destruction causes. In Transport Means 2019, Sustainability: Research and Solutions – Proceedings of the 23rd International Scientific Conference. Transport Means. Palanga, Lithuania: Kaunas university of technology, 2019. p. 1364-1369. ISSN: 1822-296X.

KAŠPÁREK, J.; POKORNÝ, P.; ZEIZINGER, L.; ŠKOPÁN, M. Problems of the central joint in an articulated frame. Transport Means, 2020, vol. Part I, no. 1, p. 481-484. ISSN: 1822-296X.

ZEIZINGER, L.; JONÁK, M. Weight and price optimization of truss construction with using genetic algorithm. Manufacturing TECHNOLOGY, 2020, vol. 20, no. 2, p. 270-275. ISSN: 1213-2489.

ŠKOPÁN, M.; SEDLÁČEK, M.; KAŠPÁREK, J. The experimental testing of the operational capabilities of the compression superstructure prototype. In Transport Means 2018 Proceedings. Transport Means. 1. Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas: Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas, LITHUANIA, 2018. p. 1156-1160. ISSN: 1822-296X.

KAŠPÁREK, J.; ŠKOPÁN, M.; SEDLÁCEK, M. The development of the modular forwarder superstructure for the dendromass transport. In Transport Means 2018 Proceedings. Transport Means. 1. Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas, LITHUANIA: Kaunas University of Technology, Kaunas, LITHUANIA, 2018. p. 537-541. ISSN: 1822-296X.

The aim of the research and development is to sort the defined bulk building material or construction and demolition waste, separate it into the required fraction intervals and, if necessary, crush or grind it for further construction use.

In research in this field of machines for the treatment of construction materials, current trends require the development of working machines with low energy use for treatment, with predicted knowledge of the output technical properties of the material by means of simulations of bulk materials.

Areas of research for working machines for recycling and treatment of building materials:

• Conceptual designs for the arrangement of machinery and plant for the treatment of mined or recycled material to achieve the desired output quality of bulk material.

• Energy calculations of drive systems that will use optimum parameters in material handling processes.

• Capacity and batching calculations for bulk material storage facilities that ensure material flow continuity at optimum parameters for material processing or SDO processes.

Research results from this area are continuously used to upgrade the curricula in master's and doctoral studies.

Contact:

Doc. Ing. Miroslav Škopán, CSc.

Ing. Jiří Frühbauer

Projects:

TAČR - Projekt SS02030008  „Centrum environmentálního výzkumu: Odpadové a oběhové hospodářství a environmentální bezpečnost“ (2021 – 2026)

TAČR - Programu „Prostředí pro život“ – Projekt SS07010045  „Využití stavebních a demoličních odpadů pro výrobu cementových kompozitů se solidifikačním účinkem a sníženým dopadem na životní prostředí“ (2024 – 2026)

Results:

Projekt SS02030008  „Centrum environmentálního výzkumu: Odpadové a oběhové hospodářství a environmentální bezpečnost“ Solutions between 2021 and 2026

The aim of the project is to build a long-term, professional, interdisciplinary research base consisting of key research organisations with the expertise to conduct research on waste and circular economy in a broader context.

The Centre provides research results to the Ministry of the Environment, other ministries and professional platforms.

ÚADI at the FSI (Department of Transport and Construction Machinery) was the coordinator of WP 1.A Construction and Demolition Waste from 2021 to 2024 (the activity was planned only for the above mentioned period).

Subtask M1.A.1.1 "Identification of the current use of recycled inert mineral waste in the construction sector and conditions for increasing its share in relation to natural minerals" was addressed. On the basis of nationwide data, an analysis of the ways in which inert mineral construction and demolition waste is managed was carried out. It was shown that to support the development of circular economy in the construction sector there are some shortcomings in the current methods of SDW management (in particular, inefficient use of SDW for reclamation). At present, recycled inert mineral waste accounts for about 14% of the market for all inert mineral granules used in the construction industry (mainly building stone and gravel + recycled MSW). This is a more than threefold increase compared to the years before 2011.

Projekt TAČR - Využití stavebních a demoličních odpadů pro výrobu cementových kompozitů se solidifikačním účinkem a sníženým dopadem na životní prostředí

Projekt TAČR Programu „Prostředí pro život“ - SS07010045  „Využití stavebních a demoličních odpadů pro výrobu cementových kompozitů se solidifikačním účinkem a sníženým dopadem na životní prostředí“

Solutions between 2024 and 2026

The aim of the project is to determine the technological stages of the treatment of construction demolition waste (CDW) into recycled aggregates of stable properties for the production of cement composites with declared solidification effect.

The essence of the project solution is to determine the technological processes and modifications of construction and demolition waste (brick, concrete) into recycled aggregates of desired properties, which will be used as up to 100% replacement of natural aggregates in the production of cement composites with solidifying effect with the aim of saving natural resources of aggregates.

The IADI unit at FSI (Department of Transport and Construction Machinery) is dealing with the comprehensive design (including analysis and identification) of technological procedures for the treatment of construction and demolition waste from selective deconstruction of construction during crushing, sorting and separation into brick and concrete recyclates of desired and stable properties for their subsequent use in the production of cement composites. Furthermore, it also addresses the design (including analysis and identification) of technological procedures for the treatment (grinding, screening) of the fine fraction of brick and concrete recyclate to grains < 0.125 mm, as a partial replacement of cement. 

The aim of the research and development is to apply advanced methods in the design of machines and machinery for the treatment of materials for the purpose of construction production or transport and storage of bulk materials with specific material flow processes. Furthermore, the creation of digital twins for the Industry 4.0 requirement in the field of construction materials processing. Advanced methods in this case are numerical simulations of discrete element models - DEMs, which can simulate the behaviour of the processed material during the crushing process when designing machinery for the treatment of building materials (crushers, mills).

By simulating processes using DEMs, it is possible to find the optimal process parameters during the design of machines or during the implementation of machine upgrades. The material for the construction purpose will be recycled concrete or precast concrete material, natural mined materials or mixed bulk waste for screening. The research has the primary objective of energy calculation of the drive system, which will use optimal parameters in material processing processes and improve the use of crusher and mill type machinery or fraction sorter relative to conventionally designed machinery.

 Areas of research in the analysis of bulk materials:

• Simulation for finding optimal process parameters during machine design.

• Verification and validation of bulk material parameters in material handling and transport processes.

• Energy calculation of the drive system that will use optimal parameters in bulk material handling processes.

The research results from this area are continuously used to modernize the curricula in master and doctoral studies.

Contact:

Doc.. Ing. Miroslav Škopán, CSc.

Doc. Ing. Jiří Malášek, Ph.D.

Ing. Jiří Frühbauer

Project:

TAČR - Programu „Prostředí pro život“ – Projekt SS07010045  „Využití stavebních a demoličních odpadů pro výrobu cementových kompozitů se solidifikačním účinkem a sníženým dopadem na životní prostředí“

 Results:

FRÜHBAUER, J. Použití Altair EDEM na ÚADI FSI. Praha: Advanced Enginnering s.r.o., 2023.

JONÁK, M.; HLOUŠEK, D.; ŘEHÁK, K. Experimental verification of the power required for the movement of the tracked vehicle. In Vibroengineering PROCEDIA. Vibroengineering Procedia. Kaunas, Lithuania: JVE Intenational Ltd., 2018. p. 123-127. ISSN: 2345-0533.

The aim of the research and development is the strategic research area Logistics 4.0, which represents an innovative approach to the management and optimization of logistics processes in the automotive industry using modern information and communication technologies. This area focuses on the integration of elements such as artificial intelligence, automation, robotics and the Internet of Things (IoT) to create intelligent, connected and flexible logistics systems that support production, handling, storage and distribution.

Automation and Robotics: Logistics 4.0 involves the wider deployment of robots to handle and shape products into material handling units (MUs) and the subsequent transport of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) in production lines and warehouses, increasing efficiency and reducing human labour in monotonous, cyclical and labor-intensive tasks.

Advanced information systems: central data platforms that collect and analyse large volumes of data from different parts of the logistics chain enable better planning and forecasting of production and distribution needs in advance of handling.

The Internet of Things (IoT): IoT technologies provide real-time monitoring of inventory, machine status and enable communication between assets, which helps to optimise the entire logistics chain.

Integrated logistics: logistics 4.0 systems support the integration of intra- and inter-company logistics and enable seamless collaboration between suppliers, production plants and distribution centres.

The aim of Logistics 4.0 in the automotive industry is to achieve a higher level of automation, increase the flexibility of production processes and improve their efficiency. To achieve this, logistics is interested in achieving the minimum energy input criterion function, i.e. optimising conveyor systems, their components and strategies in ensuring the continuity of material flow in production or storage

Areas of research in material flow logistics:

• Logistics strategy applicable to a given material flow area.

• Design of conveyor system concepts using numerical simulations of material flow logistics.

• Simulation of material flow in production, storage and data storage with monitored parameters.

• Designing conveyor systems for the layout parameters of a logistics facility.

• Logistic solution of transportation problems with respect to energy calculations in drive systems that will improve energy utilization for transportation.

Research results from this area are continuously used for curriculum upgrading in bachelor, master and doctoral studies.

Contact:

Ing. Jaroslav Kašpárek, Ph.D.

Ing. Michal Urbánek

Doc. Ing. Miroslav Škopán, CSc.

Projects:

Smluvní výzkum - Simulace a optimalizace výrobních toků ve výrobě osobních automobilů - objednatel ŠKODA AUTO a.s. (2022 - dosud)

Results:

URBÁNEK, M.; FRÜHBAUER, J.; BALÁŽ, A.; ZÁMECNÍK, L. Simulation model concept for the optimization of sorting systems of cross-dock warehouses. Transport & Logistics, 2023, vol. 23, no. 54, p. 77-85. ISSN: 2406-1069.

URBÁNEK, M.; KAŠPÁREK, J.; ZEIZINGER, L.; ŠKOPÁN, M. Využití chytrých parkovacích systému ke zvýšení bezpečnosti nákladní dopravy. 48. mezinárodní konference kateder dopravních, manipulačních, stavebních a zemědělských strojů. Studentská 1402/2, Liberec: Technická univerzita v Liberci, 2022. s. 160-166. ISBN: 978-80-7494-606-6.