Doctoral Thesis

Additive Technology as a Tool for the Design of Building Structures

Author of thesis: Ing. Vojtěch Vaněk, Ph.D.

Acad. year: 2025/2026

Supervisor: prof. Ing. Jan Pěnčík, Ph.D.

Reviewer: The opponent will be displayed after his opinion is published.

Abstract:

Dissertation thesis is introduced by a discussion of 3D Concrete Printing (3DCP) in the design of civil engineering structures. The first part of the thesis includes an extensive analysis of suitable civil engineering design, which is necessary to understand the possibilities and limitations of this technology in civil engineering. Furthermore, the thesis describes the experimental procedures tor testing the chosen test methods to determine the material model for numerical analysis using the Finite Element Analysis (FEA). These test methods include a detailed description to determine material constants such as flexural tensile strength, compressive strength, shear strength and fracture mechanical parameters. The thesis also includes a description of the testing of the reinforced specimens and stair stringer structure that were developed, experimentally tested, and analysed. The results obtained from experimental testing are then compared with numerical analysis.

Keywords:

3D Concrete Printing (3DCP); Additive Manufacturing (AM); material model; reinforcing; staircase structures; stair stringers; Finite Element Method (FEA)

Date of defence

15.05.2026

Date of publish

14.05.2029

Result of the defence

Defended (thesis was successfully defended)

znamkaPznamka

Process of defence

Obhajoba disertační práce proběhla na vysoké odborné úrovni. Doktorand vystoupil s jasně strukturovanou prezentací, která srozumitelně a systematicky představila hlavní výstupy jeho práce. Na dotazy členů komise odpovídal věcně, pohotově a v souladu s obsahem předložené práce. Komise rovněž ocenila multidisciplinárnost, zvídavost a samostatnost doktoranda a rovněž jeho výborné předpoklady pro vědeckou práci.

Language of thesis

Czech

Faculty

Fakulta stavební

Department

Institute of Building Structures

Study programme

Building Construction (DPC-S)

Composition of Committee

prof. Ing. Miloslav Novotný, CSc. (předseda)
prof. Ing. Miroslav Bajer, CSc. (člen)
doc. Ing. arch. Juraj Dulenčín, Ph.D. (člen)
prof. Ing. Jitka Mohelníková, Ph.D. (člen)
Ing. et Ing. Václav Venkrbec, Ph.D. (člen)
doc. Ing. Miloš Zich, Ph.D. (člen)
Ing. Martin Deutsch, Ph.D. (člen)
doc. Ing. arch. Milan Palko, Ph.D. (člen)
Ing. Petr Sedlák, Ph.D. (člen)
prof. Ing. Karel Tuza, CSc. (člen)
prof. Ing. Jiří Kala, Ph.D. (člen)
doc. Ing. Nikol Žižková, Ph.D. (člen)
prof. Ing. Jan Pěnčík, Ph.D. (člen)
doc. Ing. David Bečkovský, Ph.D. (člen)
prof. Ing. Bc. Radoslav Sovják, Ph.D., LL.M. (člen)

Supervisor’s report
prof. Ing. Jan Pěnčík, Ph.D.

Grade proposed by supervisor: A

File inserted by supervisor Size
stanovisko_Vaněk.pdf 98,25 kB

Reasons for publication postponement

Publication of the final thesis has been postponed in compliance with the provisions of Section 47b (4) of Act No. 111/1998 Coll., on the Higher Education Institutions and on amendments and supplements to other acts, as amended.

The dissertation contains current and unique outputs in the rapidly developing field of 3D printing and additive technologies in construction. The postponement of the publication of the thesis is necessary for two main reasons:

1. Preparation of publications for prestigious scientific journals: A significant part of the experimental data and innovative procedures described in the dissertation are currently being processed into scientific articles. These articles are intended for publication in selected impact journals [Elsevier, Springer]. Given the strict rules of these publishers regarding originality and so-called prior publication, freely making the text of the dissertation available in a university repository or website would make it impossible or seriously jeopardize the acceptance of these articles for review and subsequent publication.

2. Protection of intellectual property and know-how: The achieved results have innovative and application potential in practice. The thesis contains specific technological and design solutions. The disclosure of this detailed information would pose a risk of uncontrolled acquisition and commercial exploitation by third parties – be it competing research institutions or manufacturing companies operating in the construction and additive manufacturing sectors. Confidentiality of the work is therefore crucial until this know-how is adequately protected (in the form of a scientific publication protected by copyright or by filing an IP application).

Responsibility: Mgr. et Mgr. Hana Odstrčilová