Department Name: Building Structures and material: design, analysis and testing
           
About the Department:
The Building Structures and Materials Department emphasizes one of the most important  goals of the Institute which is earthquake resistant design of structures. The department deals with different types of building structures according to their function and construction materials. Special attention is paid to definition of different types of strengthening techniques to be used depending on  different structural systems.
This department is the focal point of research in several fields such as: engineering seismology, experimental mechanics, structural analysis, geotechnics, etc. All the results from the theoretical and field studies performed in the other departments of the Institute are practically applied in our department.
The educational level and the variety of specialized training of our technical and scientific staff as well as the great practical experience that has been gained during 42 years of existence trough realisation of many international and domestic projects are a guarantee for the quality of the products offered by our department.

Main Activities

  • Design and analysis of earthquake resistant building structures
  • Experimental in situ and laboratory investigation of building structures
  • Seismic performance evaluation of building structures
  • Consulting services in design and construction of building structures

Specific Activities

  • Design:


 

  • Design and Analysis of Earthquake Resistant Building Structures:

-    Reinforced Concrete, Masonry, Prefabricated, Steel

    • Residental, Administrative, Public, Industrial
  • Repair and Seismic Strengthening of Building Structures:

-    Reinforced Concrete, Masonry, Prefabricated

    • Historic Buildings and Monuments
  • Earthquake Protection of Building Structures and Historical Monuments using Innovative Techniques
  • Adaptation, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of Existing (damaged or non-damaged) Building Structures

 

      • Analysis:

  1. Dynamic (linear and non-linear) Analysis of Building Structures
  • Analysis and Verification of seismic stability of existing structures:

-   Damaged or Non-Damaged
-   Reinforced Concrete, Masonry, Prefabricated, Steel
-   Historic Buildings and Monuments

  1. Capacity Analysis Approach
  • Experts' evaluation of seismic stability of building structures
  • Development and improvement of technical regulations

 

      • Experimental Testing:

 

  1. Testing of mechanical characteristics of materials, structural elements and assemblages
  2. In situ forced and ambient vibration measurements of buildings, historical monuments and engineering structures
  3. Quasi-static tests of joints, elements and assemblages
  4. Shaking table tests of models of buildings, historical monuments and engineering structures to a reduced scale
  5. Evaluation of seismic stability of historical monuments based on experimental testing and numerical modeling
  6. Verification and upgrading of seismic strengthening systems based on experimental tests and numerical modeling
  7. Machinery and foundation vibrations of turbo-generators at power plants
  8. Dynamic testing of hydro, thermal and nuclear power plants facilities
  9. Evaluation of earthquake floor response spectra based on "in situ" dynamic tests
  10. Seismic effects of explosions and optimization of mining procedure
  11. Seismic qualification tests for mechanical and electro-mechanical equipment - "in situ" and in laboratory conditions
  12. Mechanical tests of stockbridge and spacer dampers for high voltage power transmission lines
  13. Seismic and vibration isolation of  buildings and engineering structures

 

      • Professional and Consulting services

 

  • Revision of technical documentation for newly designed building structures
  • Professional supervision during construction of building structures
  • Professional supervision during repair and strengthening  of building structures
  • Final approval of works done on the newly constructed structures
  • Consulting and supervision in the field of experimental mechanics
  • Assistance (to Governements) in post-earthquake damage surveys and recovery

 

  • Innovations and patents - development and verification
  • Development of innovative technologies and structural systems in earthquake resistant design of structures
  • Development of original methodologies for repair and strengthening of building structures
  • Implementation of advanced materials in seismic upgrading of building structures

 

  • Software in use

            Analysis of structures: SAP2000, ETABS, RADIMPEX
Signal post processing: ARTeMIS

            Development of own software in the following fields:
Analysis of bearing and deformability capacity of masonry structures
Analysis of bearing and deformability capacity of RC structures
Dimensioning of RC structures according to different codes
Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis
         

FIELDS OF INTEREST:

  • Development of new technologies and structural systems
  • Performance based design
  • Composite and advanced engineering materials
  • Health monitoring of buildings, historical monuments and engineering structures
  • Biomechanics and human reaction to vibrations
  • Building structures under shock and impact
  • Sustainability of building structures

 

Department Staff:

  1. Dr. Veronika Sendova, Associate Professor and Head of Department (veronika@pluto.iziis.ukim.edu.mk)
  2. Dr.Golubka Necevska Cvetanovska (Professor and currently deputy director of IZIIS) (golubka@pluto.iziis.ukim.edu.mk )
  3. Dr. Ljubomir Taskov, Professor(taskov@pluto.iziis.ukim.edu.mk)
  4. Dr. Zivko Bozinovski, Professor(zivko@pluto.iziis.ukim.edu.mk )
  5. Dr.Prof. Lidija Krstevska, Associate Professor(lidija@pluto.iziis.ukim.edu.mk )
  6. Dr.Roberta Apostolska, Assistant Professor( beti@pluto.iziis.ukim.edu.mk )
  7. M.Sc.Blagojce Stojanoski, Assistant Researcher( blagojce@pluto.iziis.ukim.edu.mk )
  8. Elena Gorgievska, graduated civil engineer( elena@pluto.iziis.ukim.edu.mk )

Former members:

  1. Dr. Miodrag Velkov, Professor Emeritus
  2. Dr. Boris Simeonov, Professor Emeritus
  3. Dr. Predrag Gavrilovic, Professor Emeritus
  4. Dr. Nikola Nocevski, Scientific collaborators

 

CURRENT PROJECTS

  • Bilateral Scientific Project

Title:   “Reduction of Seismic Vulnerability of RC Building Structures Based on EC8-Application in Bulgaria and Macedonia”,
Period of realization:  (2006-2008)
Investors: Ministry of Education and Science of Republic of Macedonia, Ministry of Science of Bulgaria
Abstract: The primary goal of the project is reduction of seismic vulnerability of RC buildings in the territory of Republic of Macedonia and Bulgaria. The ultimate goal of the planned investigations is elaboration and definition of a procedure for design of seismically resistant RC buildings in  accordance with the recent performance based criteria pertaining to the European Technical Regulations, (Eurocodes). In more detail, the project objectives are:

  • Detailed investigation of the principles, the criteria and the rules of the European Standard for Seismic Design or EN1998: Design of Structures for Earthquake Resistance",  (EN 1998-1:2004).
  • Development of  procedures for as much as possible realistic definition of bearing and deformability capacity of structural elements for the defined performance levels incorporated in EC8, in order to perform realistic evaluation of seismic resistance of RC  buildings based on EC8.
  • Quantitative definition of engineering indicators as criteria for the performance of structural elements and integral structures.
  • Development of a handbook devoted to theoretical approaches used in EC-8 and numerical examples illustrating the application of the analytical methods.

 

Project 2:
Title: Repair, Strengthening, Revitalization and Adaptation of an Enlarged School Building into a House of Correction in Kumanovo
Period of realization:  (2007-2008)
Investor: Ministry of Justice of Republic of Macedonia
Abstract: The main project for repair, strengthening, revitalization and adaptation of a school building into a house of correction has been elaborated based on the required strength and deformability characteristics of the elements and the system as a whole, the Rulebook on Construction of Buildings in Seismic Areas, the special requirements considering the function of the structure as well as the possibilities for adding new elements in the structure. From among a number of variant solutions, the most appropriate solution has been selected from the economic aspect and from the aspect of satisfying the strength and deformability requirements from the valid technical regulations.

Project 3:
Title: Repair and Seismic Strengthening of Mustapha Pasha Mosque in Skopje
Period of realization: (2007-2008)
Investors: TIKA, Turkey and National Conservation Center of Republic of Macedonia
Abstract: The project task is elaboration of a main project on repair and seismic strengthening of Mustapha Pasha Mosque in Skopje. The main principles of seismic strengthening are (i) application of new technologies and materials, (ii) reversibility and (iii) invisibility of the applied technique. Based on the submitted architectonic data, the investigations of the soil conditions, the investigations of the characteristics of the built-in materials, visual inspection of the structure as well as previous experimental investigations of a mosque model, a solution for repair and strengthening of the existing structure is to be elaborated, followed by a detailed analysis and computation of the bearing system under gravity and seismic loads.

 

Project 4:
Title: Sixth Framework Programme: Earthquake Protection of Historical Buildings by Reversible Mixed Technologies (PROHITECH)

Investor: European Commission

Period of realization: 2004-2008
Abstract: The main objective of the project is to study the seismic stability of historical buildings and develop specific strengthening techniques by using of advanced materials and technology that is reversible (possibility to be replaced by a new one). The consortium consists of fifteen universities from 12 countries of the European and the Mediterranean region. IZIIS participates in WG7 together with the Civil Engineering Faculty within the "Ss. Cyril and Methodius" university. The main activities of IZIIS are related to experimental testing of three models on the shaking table (model of a mosque, a cathedral and a church) as well as ambient vibration testing of prototype structures: Fossa Nova Abbey- Italy, Belerbey Palace, Istanbul, Mustafa Pasha mosque- Skopje and St. Nicholas church- Psacha, Macedonia. The in situ tests as well as the model test of the mosque were realized, while the models of the cathedral and the churches are under construction (November 2007)

 

Project 5:

Title: Investigation of Seismic Stability of Brick Masonry Walls at Beauharnois Powerhouse, Montreal, Canada
Investor: Hydroquebec, Quebec, Canada
Period of realization: 2006-2008

Abstract: The main objective of the project is to investigate the seismic stability of the brick-masonry walls at Beauharnois powerhouse in Quebec, Canada. The length of the powerhouse is one kilometer, and the height of the external wall is about 20m and it is made of brick masonry. The power plant is built in the first half of the past century. The experimental investigation was performed by in situ ambient vibration test of the wall and shaking table test of segments of the wall to a scale of 1/3 and 1/1. Experimental results have been used to perform refined non-linear numerical analysis of the walls applying the strengthening solution by implementation of anchor-dampers at critical points of the wall. The last phase of the project will be implementation of these anchor-dampers on the walls of the powerhouse.

         

 

 

Project 6:

Title: Ambient and Forced Vibration Testing of Historical Building-President Palace in Baku, Azerbaijan Strengthened by DC-90 System
Investor: SERBAS- Azerbaijan
Period of realization: 2007-2008

Abstract: The main objective of the project is to upgrade the seismic stability of this masonry structure by a DC-90 strengthening system. This system is developed by the DC-90 Company from Belgrade, Serbia. It consists of vertical, horizontal and diagonal steel ties for increasing the integrity of the masonry walls. All the works are performed from the outside, on the facades. Additionally, the dampers for dissipation of the seismic energy are implemented on diagonal braces. In order to design the required strengthening solution, in the first phase of the project, dynamic tests of the building have been performed to define the natural frequencies and stiffness characteristics of the building. After accomplishment of the strengthening, in the second phase, another dynamic test will be performed to check the effectiveness of the strengthening solution. IZIIS performed the ambient vibration tests in August 2007. After accomplishment of the strengthening works, the second test will be performed by forced vibrations to the structure simulating a moderate earthquake.

Project 7:

Title: Seismic Qualification of High Voltage Circuit Breakers Based on Shaking Table Testing

Investor: Energomex, Mexico
Period of realization: 2007-2008
Abstract: This project is related to seismic qualification of a high voltage circuit breaker according to IEC and IEEE international standards. The original sample is fixed to the shaking table and is tested separately in each of three orthogonal directions. The seismic input is usually sine-beat and/or some selected earthquake in real scale. The sample is instrumented by strain gages, LVDT's, accelerometers and linear potentiometers at different points to define the response of the test specimen in respect to acceleration, displacement and strain/stress. In this project, in the first phase, the circuit breaker type SDFL 11,12 single pole with six porcelains has been tested. In the second phase, the circuit breaker type SFEL 14, single pole with one porcelain, will be tested.

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Project 8: link…..

Title: Evaluation of Seismic Stability of Old Bridge in Mostar
Investor: University of Mostar
Period of realization: 2007-2008
Abstract:

The project is being realized within the frames of the cooperation between IZIIS and the Civil Engineering Faculty at the University of Mostar. The bridge was completely destroyed during the war in1993 and rebuilt in 2003. The bridge is built by use of stone and represents a symbol of the City of Mostar.
The main objective of this on-going project is to evaluate the seismic stability of the bridge. In the first phase of the project, ambient vibration test has been performed in order to define the dynamic characteristics of the bridge: resonant frequencies, mode shapes and damping coefficients. In the second phase, numerical modeling based on experimental results will be performed in order to predict the seismic behaviour of the bridge.

Project 9:

Title: Testing of Mechanical Characteristics of Fibber Concrete Samples
Investor: Bechtel, USA
Period of realization: 2007-2008
Abstract:

This project is in its initial stage. The testing of the mechanical characteristics of the fibber concrete samples is related to a construction of a tunnel in Albania. The construction is under the supervision of Bechtel Company, USA. The first phase of the testing is related to testing of fibber concrete slab samples to bending, according to the international standards. It is a beginning of a long term cooperation between IZIIS and Bechtel that are to perform a variety of tests at the IZIIS laboratory to check the quality of the material used for construction of the tunnels and the bridges.

 

Project 10:

Title: Evaluation of Floor Response Spectra of Nuclear Power Plant "Gentilly2", Quebec, Canada, based on ambient and forced vibration testing methods
Investor:Hydroquebec, Quebec, Canada
Period of realization: 2007-2008

Abstract:

The main objective of this project is to evaluate the floor response spectra of the reactor building as well as the auxiliary buildings at the NPP Gentilly2, Quebec, Canada. The methodology represents a combination of experimental and numerical analysis which is new approach in the field of nuclear engineering. The new approach is related to experimental definition of transfer functions between particular floor  and base level by performing ambient and/or forced vibration tests. The classical approach is based on analytical definition of transfer functions, which in some cases, could be non-realistic, if the mathematical model of the structure is not properly formulated. For this purpose, experimental measurements by special advanced equipment will be performed. The measurements will be performed in two parts: on the inside frame structure and on the outside containment. The testing started at the end of 2007.

IZIIS