Although the research of Assoc. Prof. Martina Eliášová and prof. Michal Jandera from the Faculty of Civil Engineering of CTU is carried out at the Department of Steel and Timber Structures, it focuses on glass and stainless steel. Both materials are known more from the interior, but in recent years they have also been used for load-bearing structures.
Stainless steel is generally associated with kitchen equipment rather than structural elements. However, in aggressive corrosive environments or in structures with high demands for durability and low maintenance costs, the use of stainless steel can be advantageous despite the higher material cost.
Glass, although known for thousands of years, has only been used as a material for load-bearing structural elements, e.g. in roof structures, facades, conservatories, walkways or canopies, in the last few decades. Despite its favourable properties, such as transparency and a smooth reflective surface, high compressive strength or durability, this material itself presents several complications when it is to be used for load-bearing structural elements.
How these challenges can be resolved and what potential both materials could offer for the future, the guests of the new episode of Srdcem stavařem find out in their research.