Merlion project

R&D initiative that linked academia and engineers.

CBFEM was created as a result of an R&D project of Czech Technical University in Prague, Brno Technology University and software company IDEA StatiCa.
Its aim was to create a general method that can be used for connection design of various types rather than just specific templates. After years of primary research, the first CBFEM-powered calculation software was launched in 2014.
Since then, the majority of the R&D capacity has gradually shifted towards validation and verification of CBFEM results according to various building codes around the world.

Frantisek Wald

Professor, CTU Prague

Professor and Head of the Department of Steel and Timber Structures at the Czech Technical University in Prague. During his rich professional career, he has participated in ten European projects in connection design and several other projects focused on component method, column bases, steel and concrete connections, fire design and the advanced finite element analysis. He has been working in ECCS TC 10 Structural joints and in WG8 and Project team for preparation of prEN 1993-1-8 version 2018. He is also a member of CEN Working Groups for EN1993-1-2 and EN1993-1-13. Prof Wald received two awards for the development of Component-based Finite Element Method (CBFEM) – the CKAIT Pavel Juchelka Czech Award and the ECCS Charles Massonet European Award.

Miroslav Bajer

Professor, Brno University of Technology

Professor and Dean at the Faculty of Civil Engineering at BUT, and a member of the Institute of Metal and Timber Structures. During his professional career, he has contributed to several projects focused on the theoretical and real behavior of elements, components and load-bearing systems combining concrete and steel. In the area of research and development, he is particularly interested in the real behavior of anchorages for steel structures, thin-walled steel sheets, and structures strengthened under load.
Worked as the Head of the research program Development of Advanced Structures and Technologies at the AdMaS Research Centre. Prof. Bajer won 1st place in the public competition GRAND PRIX of the Society of Czech Architects with the project of the Reconstruction of the Castle Greenhouse in Lednice.

Lubomir Sabatka

CEO, IDEA StatiCa

Lubomir Sabatka is one of the pioneers of using CAE methods in structural analysis worldwide. With his team, he has been developing tools for this industry for over 20 years – Esa Prima Win, SCIA Engineer etc. In 2009, he shifted his focus to design of structural members, use of cloud technology and BIM adoption. He aims to fill in missing pieces in the global workflow of structural engineers and fabricators. In 2018, he was awarded the “Czech Mind” prize, a highest national R&D recognition for scientist and innovators in the Czech Republic. He currently works as CEO of IDEA StatiCa.

Jaromir Kabelac

Project Leader, IDEA StatiCa

Jaromir leads the solver team at IDEA StatiCa. He has rich experience with CAE modeling in construction as well as the automotive and aviation industry. Working on various positions in the last decade, he has created models for Boeing, Porsche, Airbus or VW. Jaromir created various innovative CAE approaches used by engineers around the world. Jaromir applies his rich knowledge of calculations and modeling to creating innovative ways to model and design structural members. Simulating the behavior of various mechanical and structural objects is not just a job to him, it is an art and personal passion.