Thilo Schmidt

Professional Overview

Thilo Schmidt is a Researcher at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Bochum University of Applied Sciences, specializing in structural optimization, sustainable construction, and concrete technology. He leads the interdisciplinary 'air-Kon-Matrices' project, focused on developing inflatable hollow-chamber formers to reduce concrete usage in foundations by up to 40%, aligning with climate protection goals. Previously, he worked as a Project Engineer and Project Manager at Pühl und Becker Beratende Ingenieure PartmbB in Essen, where he gained industry experience in constructive engineering.

Education

• M.Sc. in Civil Engineering (Specialization: Constructive Engineering) from Bochum University of Applied Sciences (2012–2017)

Research Interests

Drives innovation in concrete construction through genetic algorithms, BIM integration, and resource-efficient design. His work emphasizes:
- Sustainable foundation optimization via hollow formers
- Numerical simulation of structural behavior under combined loading
- Interdisciplinary collaboration between construction disciplines
- Reducing environmental impact through material efficiency

Publications & Projects

Recent work includes studies on genetic optimization of void formers, sensitivity analysis of concrete slabs, and BIM-based project planning. The 'air-Kon-Matrices' project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, demonstrates his commitment to bridging academic research and industrial application.

Awards & Memberships

• buildingSMART Professional Certification (Foundation Basic)
• Voluntary Member of the Chamber of Engineers Construction NRW
• Member of fib International (Young Members Group)

Advising & Grants

Supervised over 10 Master/Master theses since 2022, focusing on topics like:
- Void former optimization under biaxial loading
- Numerical simulations of concrete slab behavior
- Resource conservation in foundation design
Collaborates with RWTH Aachen University, fischerwerke GmbH, and Unidome GmbH on funded research initiatives.

Labs & Teams

Prominent member of the Department of Concrete Construction at Bochum, leading experimental and computational studies. Active in cross-disciplinary teams involving architects and industry partners to advance lightweight construction technologies.