Cewac - News

BUILDING PHYSICS

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 10:57:00 +0200

Building physics

CRM Group’s Construction Platform support modern building envelopes innovation and optimizations. Water protection, energy conservation, thermal and air tightness performance are part of energy transition optimizations. Thermal bridges and airflows in the building envelope can lead to problems related to the hygrothermal performance, health, energy consumption, noise.

CRM capabilities in building physics development

Two types of optimizations categories can be used:

• Building physics analytical and numerical calculations research into the performance of products and assemblies

• Building solution consulting where properly benchmarked simulations can efficiently shooing performance for a variety of potential combinations

Whatever the target, different analyses are carried out using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and experimental test. Building physics analysis are carried out on the basis of standards used in each field. For all projects goals, several iterations are performed to find the best compromise.

Tools & Applications

Analytical and numerical calculations

Dynamic thermal characteristics (CFD calculation): of a full building scenario and components; multi zonal transient heat transfer. Software used COMSOL and Capsol
Thermal bridge analysis: 2D and 3D thermal evaluation: software used COMSOL Trisco and Bisco
Hygrothermal analysis: 2D and 3D calculation of the transient coupled one- and two-dimensional heat and moisture transport. Software used COMSOL and WUFI

Field test & real experimental analysis

· 3D and 2D airtightness test rig: experimental test for technical recommendations on airtightness solutions.

o 2D test ring: to measure the airtightness of specific junctions between building components.

o 3D test ring: to measure the airtightness of defined scale building components.

· Water air tightness test rig (AEV): test of building components.

Fire Testing & Engineering @ CRM Group

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 13:17:00 +0200

Fire hazards are a major concern for the construction industry, but also for many other sectors, not least because of the material, environmental and economic damage they can cause, but above all because of the danger they represent for human lives.

The continuous emergence of new technologies over the last few years has constantly changed the nature and importance of these risks, requiring manufacturers to continually adapt and develop new, safer and more effective solutions in terms of fire behaviour.

With this in mind, CRM Group is here to help you meet these new challenges!

An expertise under constant development

With many years’ experience in the field of fire protection in buildings – reaction to fire and fire resistance of construction products and building elements – CRM Group has also recently developed new skills in external fire exposure to roofs tests, as well as expertise in the study of the collapse of structures subjected to fire. CRM Group also uses its knowledge to support customers in carrying out large-scale certification tests in external laboratories in Belgium and abroad.

In addition to these construction-related topics, CRM Group is also active in a number of other areas, such as fire testing of valves, and analysis of high-temperature behaviour of materials. CRM Group can also study the development of specific test benches on request.

Test facilities, tools and applications

· Full equipment for determination of reaction to fire: single-flame source (ISO 17025 accreditation), SBI and bomb calorimeter (orientation tests)

· Small-scale gas furnace (ca. 0,8 x 0,8 x 0,8 m) for fire resistance testing (orientation tests) according to ISO 834 heating curve (or other on request): vertical wall (e.g. sandwich panels, gypsum boards), column or beam section

· Mid-scale gas furnace (ca. 1,5 x 1,5 x 1,5 m) for fire testing of pressurized valves (max. 2 t) up to 500 bar (ISO 17025 accreditation)

· Adjustable test bench for external fire exposure to roofs tests: Broof(t1) (full-scale orientation tests) and Broof(t3)-like (reduced scale exploratory tests), e.g. roof panels equipped with PV modules

· Electrical furnace (ca. 0,5 x 0,5 x 0,5 m) for high-temperature behaviour of materials analysis

· Numerical simulation software for the study of fire spread, the calculation of temperature distributions and estimating the mode of rupture of structures, e.g. self-supporting warehouses

Structural optimizations

Wed, 07 May 2025 14:57:00 +0200

As part of the energy transition, structural optimizations are of importance to reduce the carbon footprint. CRM group can optimize several types of structure using high strength steels. These steel grades showing higher mechanical properties than the common steels allow thickness decrease leading to weight reduction. As steel quantities are minimized, the CO2 emissions decreased in the same way. Another benefits with these added-values products is the cost savings which may result.

What are the objectives ?

Two types of optimizations can be carried out:

• an iso-performance objective compared with the reference solution achieved with a mass reduction

• an iso-mass objective compared to the reference solution with a higher performance

Whatever the target, different analyses are carried out using finite element software :

• ULS – yielding

• ULS – buckling (LBA, MNA, GMNA, GMNIA)

• SLS

Which are the most common. Frequency analyses or fatigue analyses, depending on the structures and solicitations, can also be undertaken. Structural checks are carried out on the basis of standards used in each field. For all these projects, several iterations are performed to find the best compromise.

Tools & Applications

This kind of optimization is applied to all steel structures types. Among others, studies have been performed on solar structures (either fixed or tracker), carports, pylons, wind towers, silos, racking systems, …

Finite Elements (FE) software support those analyses. Global or local analyses can be carried. Sub-models can help to further analyze some details as for example connections (bolted or welded), openings, … All those FE results can be correlated with experimental test campaign carried out within CRM lab.

HANDHELD LASER WELDING

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 11:04:00 +0100

The CRM group has just acquired a handheld laser welding machine. Precision, welding speed and low deformation are the main advantages of this new welding technology. Additionally, they are combined with the flexibility of manual welding. The machine offers numerous application possibilities thanks to its power of 3kW, an automatic filler wire feed and its ergonomic torch.

Would you like to know more ? Do not hesitate to contact us.