Department of Mechanics

The Department of Building Mechanics deals with research into the static and dynamic behavior of building structures in terms of both theoretical calculations and practical measurements on real buildings. In addition, laboratory investigations and numerical modeling of the properties of fiber composites are carried out here which subsequently have their practical application. Research results are further used in solving practical problems or scientific tasks.

Activities of the Department of Mechanics

The tasks of the Department of Mechanics, namely in the fields of scientific research, inspection and expertise, include for example:

  • natural and technical seismicity, design of structural and other anti-seismic measures
  • static and dynamic calculations of building structures
  • calculation of wind effects on structures, modelling of wind loads, assessment of aerodynamic instabilities, model measurements in a wind tunnel
  • implementation of European standards (Eurocodes) in the area of wind, snow and traffic loads on bridges
  • vibration measurement of structures, evaluation of vibrations in terms of effect on the structure, installed equipment and people, proposal of measures to reduce vibrations
  • experimental verification of the mechanical properties of fibre composites under dynamic loading
  • damage and failure of polymer composites: numerical analysis and experimental verification
  • behavior of fiber composites exposed to the effects of corrosion
  • the use of fiber composites to strengthen structures
  • determining the effects of an explosion on structures, terrorist explosions, accidental explosions, analysis and assessment of the structure
  • analysis of the dynamic effects of machines and machinery, calculations of undation structures, design of flexible storage
  • assessment of static and dynamic damage to the structure and the static capacity of the structure with regard to the development of cracks.

Computer analysis of building structures and materials

The Department of Mechanics mainly uses the following software for computer analysis of real and currently emerging building structures and materials (e.g., concrete, reinforced concrete, steel, stone, glass, wood and composites):

ATENA

  • Simulates the real behaviour of concrete and reinforced concrete structures, including cracks, crushing and creep of reinforcement.
  • Allows you to model constructions with volumetric elements, including the exact position and shape of the reinforcement and the amount of prestress in the reinforcement.
  • Contains modules for calculating concrete creep and shrinkage, transport problems (heat and moisture transfer), and dynamics.

ANSYS

  • Allows you to calculate the static analysis,
  • Evaluates flow dynamics (wind, hydrodynamics),
  • Measures explicit dynamics (crashes, explosions),
  • Calculates electromagnetism.

SCIA Engineer

  • Integrated, calculation and dimensioning software for solving all kinds of structures from different materials.
  • A wide range of functions enables the design of office buildings, industrial plants, bridges or any other project, all within a unified, intuitive environment.

MIDAS

  • Static calculations of bridges and buildings.
  • Static calculations of existing structures.
  • Calculations of load capacities of bridge structures.
  • Geotechnical analyses and measurements.

IDEA StatiCa

  • Design and assessment of steel connections and structures.
  • Evaluation of buckling and loss of mobility of steel beams.
  • Assessment of reinforced concrete walls, cross-sections and prestressed beams.

Head of Department

Ing. Petr Tej, Ph.D.