Innovation of intelligent infrastructure with 4D technology

Today, it makes its mark through multiple megaprojects. As a civil engineer at Salum Construções, in Belo Horizonte, in Brazil, she directs developments in high impact infrastructure.

Salum specializes in the construction of roads and railways, drainage systems, containment structures and the unleashedness of iron residue dams – the process of overhaul of massive earth structures designed to store huge quantities of waste that remains after the treatment of iron ore. His projects involve complex challenges that require precision, agility and foresight.

As Delci sees, it does not only build infrastructure; It builds a more intelligent and safer future.

This year, it was raised to the senior member of the IEEE, a professional stage which recognizes the impact it has had on its field.

“Becoming a senior member,” she says, “reaffirmed that the path I have chosen – to mix technology with infrastructure – can really lead a significant change.”

A childhood dream takes shape

Delci was born in Itabirito, a small Brazilian town nestled in the mountains. His father, a furniture store owner, and his mother, a craftsman, instilled in him a love for learning and allowed him to dream big.

In 2012, she signed up for Centro University of Belo Horizonte (Unibh) to study civil engineering. Delci has chosen what she calls a “sandwich baccalaureate program” – an arrangement in which students start their studies at their chosen local university, a full part of their courses at a university abroad, then return to their original establishment to finish the diploma.

In 2014, she received a full scholarship by the federal program Brazil Science Sans Frontières. He covered tuition fees, housing, health insurance, learning equipment and the plane ticket.

“I thought that international academic experience would extend my perspective and considerably improve my studies,” explains Delci. But, she adds, she had to learn a new language to continue her studies. She first took intensive English lessons at the Eötvös József College, in Baja, Hungary. She then followed two semesters of civil engineering courses, taught in English, at the University of Technology and Economics in Budapest. From May to July 2015, she did an internship at Budapest Waterworks, a public service in the city. She worked in the three main company departments: engineering, project management and water treatment.

Delci returned to UNIBH in the second half of 2015 and obtained a baccalaureate in civil engine in 2017. That same year, she obtained a technical diploma in civil construction process operations of the Federation of Industries of the State of Minas Gerais, the Regional Regional Industry based in Belo Horizonte. In 2021, she obtained a third cycle diploma in project management from the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, also in Belo Horizonte.

Technology behind the earth movers

His ambition led him to obtain practical technical training early. In 2012, during her first visit to Unibh, she was an intern at Delphi Automotive Systems Do Brasil, in Itabirito, Minas Gerais. The role gave its practical experience in maintaining the infrastructure of the industrial factory, in particular the preparation of purchase requisitions and working vouchers, as well as in monitoring the modifications of the factory’s provision, she says.

She joined Salum Constable in 2020 as an intern engineer. She worked on the correction of rock batteries of waste at the Vale Vargem Grande complex in Minas Gerais, which is part of the “iron quadrilateral” in Brazil. The site is one of the many belonging to Vale, the world’s leading producer of iron ore.

“I want to continue working on lasting solutions, supervising young engineers and influencing policy to make industry more respectful of the environment.”

The initiative was one of the wider efforts of Vale to minimize the dependence on residue dams – powerful structures built to contain sub -products of ore transformation – in particular after the death of the Brumadinho dam in 2019. More than 200 employees of Vale and entrepreneurs more than 11 million cubic meters of toxic ore.

Assigned to the Waste Rock sanitation project, Delci began to ensure that the Heap de Roche was in accordance with the new government standards and government security after the Brumadinho disaster. Among the methods she and her team tried, there was a dry stack, which is fine, the rocked rock is filtered with residues and deposited in heaps rather than left in the form of sludge.

“Other studies and environmental licenses are still necessary for a large-scale implementation” of dry stack, she says.

Today, she is a civil engineer at Salum. As part of her corporate engineering team, she oversees several large -scale projects.

It uses cutting -edge technology, including artificial intelligence and modeling 4D information in the building. BIM, a digital construction planning method, uses 3D modeling to connect each construction component, including earthworks, drainage systems and road layers – with the construction calendar, time being the fourth dimension. Such modeling makes the entire project more predictable by allowing teams to anticipate and mitigate risks before having an impact on the calendar. His work also focuses on construction principles borrowed from Lean manufacturing which emphasizes waste reduction.

Her approach and knowledge drew the attention of her salum peers and the construction industry as a whole, she said.

“I have always been passionate about digital engineering and how it can help reduce costs, save time and improve security,” she said. “It’s not just about doing the job. It is a question of doing it smarter and more permanently. ”

It also helps to reshape an area traditionally dominated by men.

“A strong civil construction did not intimidate me; It motivated me, ”she said. “I wanted to show that engineering talent has no sex. There is space for women to decrease here, and we claim it. ”

His research was published in Scientific magazine SystematicTHE Brazilian Development Journaland other journals. It has been recognized for the main initiatives that use digital technology to improve large -scale construction. A key indicator of this recognition is the generalized quotation of his research by experts. For example, its items “digital monitoring of heavy equipment …” and “the effectiveness of the latest planner system …” were cited 66 and 56 times, according to Google Scholar. In the academic world, this level of citation is an exceptionally high honor, demonstrating that his work is a fundamental and influential contribution to the progress of knowledge in his field.

The advantage of the IEEE

Delci has heard of the IEEE through colleagues who have rented its global network of members and technical resources. She joined, she says, to extend her knowledge, collaborate with innovators and stay ahead of technological trends.

Today, it serves as a volunteer criticism for several IEEE technical committees and applications of higher members, restoring the organization that has helped to raise its career.

“The IEEE showed me that engineering is not only local – it’s global,” she says. “It is a community of people who believe in the construction of something better, together.”

An emphasis on sustainable solutions

Asked about his long -term objectives, Moreira does not hesitate. “I want to continue working on lasting solutions, the mentoring of young engineers and influencing politics,” she says, “to make industry more respectful of the environment”.

His advice to students considering engineering? “If you are curious and want to solve real problems, engineering is for you,” she said. “Do not let stereotypes define your path. We need all kinds of mind to build a better world. ”

“Engineering is the way we leave our brand on the world,” she says. “I intend to make mine count.”