Teaching

The Chair of Advanced Structures offers projects and thesis in English and German Language. Interested students can either choose from the list of predefined topics or come up with their own ideas. The professorship highly encourages new research ideas.

Offered Topics

The list of offered topics is frequently updated! 

Master Thesis:

Investigation of the capabilities of masonry infill macromodels to account for strengthening measures (L. Abrahamczyk)

Assessment of the degree of clamping of slabs in multi-story masonry structures (L. Abrahamczyk)

Earthquake performance assessment of a Cultural Heritage Building (A. Uzair)

Sensitivity analysis of internally voided concrete building elements to changes in void former configurations (K. Webber)

Evaluating nonlinear strength-ductility relationship in macro-modelling for the in-plane and out-of-plane response of unreinforced masonry panels (A. Uzair)

Sensitivity analysis on the mechanical parameters of continum models for simulating the in-plane response of unreinforced masonry panels (A. Uzair)

Bachelor Thesis:

Bewertung und Vergleich der Modelle zur Beschreibung des Trag- und Verformungsverhalten von Kellerwänden (L. Abrahamczyk)

2024

  • Comparison of international rapid screening, scoring and vulnerability assessment procedures for substandard RC buildings in Istanbul, Turkiye (Korkmaz, Ata Tenay)

2023

  • Assessment of the residual capacity of reinforced concrete frame structures considering nonlinear flexure and shear behaviour (Basnet, Nisha)
  • Seismic assessment of a 5-storey RC residential building hit by the Feburary 2023 Kahramanmaras earthquake sequence (Aryal, Shristi)
  • Impact of dynamic Soil-Structure Interaction (SSI) on the nonlinear behaviour of infill walls during earthquake events (Baral, Anusha)
  • Investigations on critical parameters that control the role of soil-structure interaction effects on the seismic response of RC buildings (Subedi, Prashanta)
  • Evacuation Routes / simulation for earthquakes supported by BIM-based assessment models (Bellot, Andreas - in cooperation with ITD)
  • Urban Scale Earthquake Risk Assessments of Old City of Dubrovnik, Croatia (Arastooye, Mahdi)
  • The earthquake performance of a cultural heritage building: Cathedral of St. James in Sibenk, Croatia (Shah, Muazzam)
  • Earthquake Performance Assessment of Cultural Heritage Building: Case study of Castle Trakošćan, Croatia (Qayyum, Ikramullah)

2022

  • Comparative study of RC buildings designed with and without viscous fluid dampers according to the Colombian code (Hidalgo, Victor A.)
  • Assessment of Eurocode 8 design provisions for reinforced concrete walls (Baina, Diego D.)
  • Benefits of performance-based design of multi-story RC frame buildings in Kabul, Afghanistan (Yousofi, Habibullah)
  • Quantification of opening’s irregularity for unreinforced masonry façades using finite element and equivalent frame method (Gomez, Daniel A.)
  • Assessment of the earthquake performance of a Cultural Heritage Building: Episcopal Seminary Building and Classical Gymnasium in Dubrovnik, Croatia (Bonilla, Dagoberto G.)
  • Assessment of the earthquake performance of a cultural heritage building applying the equivalent frame method in Dubrovnik, Croatia (Elias, Kinda)
  • Comparative assessment of the resilience of harbors and surrounding regions against water-related hazards. Case study: Durban & Bremerhaven (Torrell, Andres E. B.)
  • Effects of soil-structure interaction on seismic response of wall-frame and moment resisting frame structures on soft soil deposits (Afroz, Ayesha M.)

2021

  • Earth construction in Uzbekistan and Tajikistan – a study of current research on the topic, supplemented by suitability tests on building clays from Germany and abroad (Engelen, Brit)
  • Comparative study on the application of pushover, nonlinear time history and incremental dynamic analysis: case study RC frame structures with masonry infill walls (Rimal, Prashant)
  • Assessment and validation of existing methods for the determination of floor spectra using recorded response time histories (Siddique, Usman M.)
  • Reliability of equivalent frame method for URM facades with irregular opening layouts (Lamadrid, Lissethe F. G.)
  • Reviewing the influence of innovative connection systems on the seismic capacity of masonry infill walls in frame type structures (Berhe, Hiwot E.)
  • Adaptation of retrofitting measures workflow to the building information modelling concept (Ghattas, Mina A.F.M.)
  • Damage grade description for frame type structures:  a comparative study under extreme natural hazard impact (Shivamallapa, Kavya)

2020

  • Assessment of functionality of a hospital after an earthquake (Gohil, Roshan)
  • Comparative study of macro models for the seismic performance assessment of reinforced concrete (RC) structures (Haweyou, Melad)
  • Performance-based design of prefabricated reinforced concrete hall structures (Mittal, Ankush)
  • Assessment of in-plane behavior of URM infill walls with openings and confining elements (Sharma, Shashikant)
  • Assessment of the influence of “accidental” torsional behavior w.r.t. axial load ratio and capacity design principles (Ramadan, Fachri)
  • Assessment of climate change consequences for wind loads and design of multi-story structures (Othman, Reyad)
  • Comparative study on real-time algorithms for automated damage detection (Sharafi, Pedram)
  • Damage pattern in RC frame structures under extreme horizontal loading - analogy consideration for natural and human induced impacts (Haq, Rehanul)
  • Influence of soil-structure interaction effects to dynamic response of an existing reinforced-concrete frame building (Prša, Ivan Z.)

Here you will find an overview of the courses offered. Further information such as enrollment deadlines, examination dates and room plans can be found on the BISON portal and on the notice board of the professorship.

Primary Hazards and Risks

Lecturer: Dr.-Ing. J. Schwarz (EDAC) & contributions by Jun.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. L. Abrahamczyk

Primary hazards and risks deals with the definition of seismic and wind action while relating them to the design concepts and practical applications. The course emphasizes on the use of ground and wind recordings, building response data, practical realization and handling of data, different types of sensors and data acquisition instruments. Extensive training is provided in the interpretation of dynamic building response characteristics and the definition of input parameters for calculations.

ECTS / Credit Points: 6 ECTS / 4 SPW
Langauge: English

Earthquake Engineering and Structural Design

Lecturer: Dr.-Ing. J. Schwarz (EDAC) & Jun.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. L. Abrahamczyk

Earthquake Engineering and Structural Design focuses on the tasks of earthquake engineering, natural hazards and risk determining parameters. Emphasis is placed on processing input data; realization of design decision for structures of different building types and risk potential; application of modern building codes and design concepts; development of earthquake resistant structures and evaluation of structural design. Within the integrated course project, structural capacity and performance objectives for different levels of seismic action are evaluated using state of the art techniques and modern software. Different model assumptions (e.g. material parameters, geometry) and structural layouts (e.g. bare frame, infilled frame, soft-story) are considered. The influence of analysis assumptions on overall structural behavior is evaluated by considering linear, nonlinear, static and dynamic analysis procedures. 

ECTS / Credit Points: 6 ECTS / 4 SWS

Language: English

Structural Performance Assessment

Lecturer: Dr.-Ing. H. Maiwald (EDAC), Dr.-Ing. J. Schwarz (EDAC), Jun.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. L. Abrahamczyk

Structural performance assessment deals with the existing building typologies, methods of structural performance assessment and design rules for traditional and engineered building types. Examples of different small to large scale testing and the instrumentation requirements are elaborated to provide structure related parameters and characteristic force-displacement relationships in support of analytical studies and the re-interpretation of damage patterns. Students are trained to evaluate the quality of structural systems, to interpret the performance of masonry and steel structures under horizontal action, to derive appropriate models and to decide upon the applicability of equivalent or simplified procedures.

ECTS / Credit Points: 6 ECTS / 4 SPW
Langauge: English/German

Risk Projects and Evaluation of Structures

Risk Projects and Evaluation of Structures deals with the assessment of hazard phenomena; lessons from recent events and field missions; interpretation of observed response for different building types; recent developments in design and construction; regional seismic risk assessment projects; damage scenarios and loss prediction and results from global earthquake models. The project deals with advance modelling techniques for nonlinear analysis of unreinforced masonry (URM) structures. Emphasis is placed on the modelling techniques and applicability/reliability of numerical assessment procedures. The basics of Equivalent Frame Modelling are discussed with respect to structural capacity and damage observations. The building capacity and corresponding performance objectives are determined for different seismic acceleration levels. The results are summarized using building type specific fragility functions.

ECTS / Credit Points: 6 ECTS / 4 SPW

Langauge: English

Einführung in die Bauweisen des konstruktiven Ingenierbaus - Teil Holz- und Mauerwerksbau

Lehrer: Jun.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. L. Abrahamczyk, Dr.-Ing. Martin Kästner

ECTS / Credit Points: 4 ECTS / 4 SWS
Sprache: Deutsch 

Bauweisen des konstruktiven Ingenieurbaus I - Teil Nachhaltiges Bauen

Lehrer: Jun.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. L. Abrahamczyk, Dr.-Ing. Martin Kästner

ECTS / Credit Points: 4 ECTS / 4 SWS

Sprache: Deutsch

© Chair of Advanced Structures
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"NextGen Engineers" will immerse you in cutting-edge topics within civil engineering, where you will explore the latest advancements in the use of polymer-modified concrete, as well as simulation, advanced modeling and optimization design for reliability and efficiency in civil engineering structures, assessing their robustness in relation to increased abstraction and reduced dimensionality. Additionally, you will explore insights into the challenges and solutions related to wind forces on buildings and structures, an essential consideration for sustainable and resilient design. You will tackle the complexities of historical and existing masonry structures, applying advanced modeling techniques to assess and enhance their durability and safety under various load conditions, including seismic events. You will be trained in the use of state-of-the-art design, analysis, and simulation methods emphasizing the integration of sustainable practices in preserving and retrofitting existing structures, aligning with the goals of sustainable development by minimizing resource use and extending the utility of built assets. This year, our course takes a significant stride forward by integrating the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into our curriculum. Understanding the crucial role engineers play in building sustainable futures, we weave the principles of sustainability across our course modules. Through this integration, you will learn not only to approach engineering challenges with advanced technical skills but also with a keen eye for their environmental impact, social equity, and economic viability.

more

In 2024, the course was attended by international students from Brazil, Portugal, United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Ghana, Iraq, Pakistan, and Turkey.

Projects

Keynote Lectures

  • Prof. P. Pavlov (UACG) | Lessons from the 2023 Turkish Earthquakes for the Balkan countries and their readiness for a strong earthquake
  • Prof. P. Pavlov (UACG) | From the real construction to the experimental set
  • Dr. A. Mejorin (UWO) | Wind-borne Debris Impact Performance: Performance-Based Design Strategies for Facades
  • Dr. E. Harichian (BUW) | Practical Applications of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) in Sustainable Construction
  • Dr. B. Haidar (TIU) | Progressive Collapse of RC Structures
  • Dr. S. Usmanov (TTPU) | Digital Documentation of Building Structures
  • Prof. E. Kraft (BUW) | Source Separation and Decentralization for Wastewater and Waste Management

Student Presentations

Project Posters

  • Project 1Rhyndolf Owusu Hammond, Bernice Amponsah, Elif Ateş, Sevara Yusupova, Mediha Sevdeva, Osama Ismael
  • Project 2Lawend Alqassab, Gabriel Sugiyama, Verônica Ribeiro Brandão, Daniel Škrla, Ani Trendafilova, Nyaz Saber, Aso Abdalla, Eduart Recica
  • Project 3Romeo Otoo, Halmat Muslih, Amgad EL-Behery, Ala Mohsin, Brwa Hamah Saeed Hamah-ALI, Greta Kapetanović, Anela Erstić, Felix Thomas-Taylor
  • Project 4Antonija Ereš, Josip Radić, Teodor Todorov, Khalat Qadir, Mislav Drmić, Sana Ullah, Ondřej Holiš, Hassan Bilal

In 2023, the course was attended by international students from Iraq, Brazil, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Macedonia, Portugal, Serbia, and Slovenia. 

Projects

Keynote Lectures

  • Prof. Dr. A. Athanasiou (BUW) | Performance based design of steel buildings in combined wind and earthquake enviroments
  • L. Moschen (EBNER-ZT), F. Falkner (MCI) & Ch. Meinhardt (GERB) | Tuned Mass Dampers in Highly Sensitive Environment – Theory and Practical Application
  • Prof. Dr. N. Saeed (TIU) | Stress and Deformation Control of Structures
  • Prof. Dr. D. Penava (UNIOS) | On the mechanical behavior of masonry infilled RC frames
  • Dr. L. Nguyen Tuan (BUW) | Structural Health Monitoring Using Inverse Analysis in Application to the Masonary Dams
  • A. Wakoya Gena (BUW) | Optical schlieren techniques for visualization of indoor airflows
  • Dr. Jan Machacek (TU Darmstadt) | Seismic hazard assessment of large opencast mine slopes in the Rhenish lignite mining area
  • Prof. Dr. C. Koch (BUW) | Building information modeling (BIM)

Student Presentations

Project Posters

  • Project 1 | Twana S. Zahawy, Luisa D. Araujo, Aram Sami, Parwar Ahmad, Hana Khalid Ahmed, Ahmad Salah Jamal, Shkar Mohammed Hayas, Junaid Ahmed, Twana Ahmed Hussein
  • Project 2 | Lucas Paiva, Luka Virovkic, Rafael Anjos, Szabolcs Szinvai
  • Project 3 | Nemanja Krtinić, Petra Prašnikar, Daniel Tomikj, Jovan Trajchevski, Chiara Patanè, Michele Milesi, Luca Danesi

In 2022, the course was attended by international students from Palestine, Egypt, Iraq, Turkey, Cyprus, Croatia, Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Italy. 

Projects

  • Numerical simulation of 3D-scanned structures
  • Simplified non-linear analysis of unreinforced masonry walls with irregular opening layouts
  • Use of Polymer-Modified Concretes (PCC) for Innovative Refurbishment Solutions
  • Reliability based design optimization in Civil Engineering

Keynote Lectures

  • Dr. N. Kovács (BME) | Ultimate behaviour of innovative composite structures
  • Prof. V. Rodehorst (BUW) | Imagebased 3D modelling and anomaly detection using Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
  • Dr. D. Duma (UPT) | Building Information Modeling (BIM) in civil engineering
  • Dr. C. Kalender (RUB) | Virtualization and validation of wind effects arround building structures
  • Dr. L. Moschen / Prof. A. Sextos | Evaluating the dynamic performance of buildings exposed to ground-borne vibrations: predictions, measure-ments and validation
  • A. Wakoya Gena & L. Becher (BUW) | Optical schlieren techniques for visualization of indoor airflows
  • Dr. V. Zabel (BUW) | Structural Dynamics and System Identification

Student Presentations

In 2021, the course was attended by international students from Italy, Portugal, Macedonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Egypt, Palestine, and Nigeria. 

Projects

  • Building information modeling (BIM) in Engineering Design
  • Assessment of unreinforced masonry structures under extra ordinary horizontal action

Keynote Lectures

  • Prof. T. Lahmer (BUW) | Introduction to a reliability based design optimization
  • Dr.-Ing. A. Flohr (BUW) | Use of polymer-modified concrete for innovative refurbishment solutions
  • Ch. Buschow (BUW) | How digitalization drives new organizational forms
  • Prof. R. Apostolska / Prof. V. Shendova (IZIIS) | Large scale shake table experiments of RC and masonry buildings
  • L. Becher (BUW) | Optical schlieren techniques for visualization of indoor airflows
  • Prof. V. Rodehorst (BUW) | Image-based 3D modelling and anomaly detection using unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)
  • Dr. L. Göbel (BUW) | Experimental and analytical multiscale modeling approaches of functionalized concrete
  • B.Somodi (BME) | FEM-based design of steel structures
  • Prof. M. Kraus (BUW) | Stability verifications of steel members based on numerical simulations

Student Presentations

  • Femi Oyetayo | Effective use of BIM in construction project management
  • Volkan Ozsarac | Probabilistic seismic assessment of RC bridges using simulated records
  • Inês Bourgeois | Assessment of vernacular construction structures under extraordinary horizontal action
  • Maja Gosheva | Experimental and numerical analysis of the behaviour of un-strengthened and strengthened masonry with re-grouting
  • Mohammed Safwat | Quality check of building information models