STRUCTURES AND GEOTECHNICS - CERIS – Civil Engineering Research and Innovation for Sustainability

Coordinator: Eduardo Júlio

This group is composed of 38 Ph.D. members, 13 Ph.D. collaborators, and 23 non-PhD collaborators covering a broad range of topics, which include different fundamental structures, geotechnics, and cross-cutting related issues, such as:

Mechanics, modeling, and analysis of structures. Dynamic instabilities and algorithms for the numerical analysis of the mechanical behavior of non-smooth structures with frictional or elastoplastic components. Modeling of moving loads on beams on non-linear foundations. Developing of hybrid-Trefftz stress plate elements. Numerical simulation of the wildfire effects in dwellings located in forest areas using computational fluid dynamics.
Earthquake Engineering and Seismology. History of construction, structural behavior, and construction techniques of traditional masonry tile vaults. Assessment of existing structures (e.g., dynamic characterization, seismic vulnerability, and seismic risk assessment). Seismic design of new masonry constructions.
Structural Concrete. Advanced cementitious materials. High-performance ordinary and prestress reinforcement. Enhanced durability. Sustainable and eco-efficient solutions. Modeling and designing models. Assessment of existing structures (e.g., reliability, structural robustness, monitoring, seismic vulnerability). Structural rehabilitation (e.g., repairing and strengthening techniques, seismic strengthening, passive protection). Prefabrication and innovation.
Steel and Composite Structures. GBT formulations to perform buckling, post-buckling, and vibration analyses of isolated members and structural systems prone to local, distortional, and global deformations. In-depth investigations on the non-linear behavior, ultimate strength, and design of cold-formed steel open-section and tubular members experiencing coupling phenomena involving local and/or distortional buckling.
Bridge Design. Buckling resistance of steel plated girders considering M-V interaction with high compression forces. Curved steel plates on bridge deck beams: post-buckling behavior and ultimate strength. Using high-strength steel in the bridge deck. Fatigue assessment of steel bridge decks. Analysis of substructures of offshore wind turbines.
Geotechnics. Dynamic characterization of soils from small to large strains, including liquefaction. Studies on the elastic response measured in resonant columns and using bender elements. Characterization of the chemo-hydro-mechanical behavior of clayey and treated soils considering their structure and degree of saturation. Characterization of soils treated with lime and cement, and bacteria. Numerical analysis of geotechnical structures involving strong soil structure interaction; studies on soil decontamination techniques. Studies on gas migration in soils.