Course detail

Experimental mechanics

FAST-VNC003Acad. year: 2025/2026

The course aims to acquaint students with the acceptable form of modern methods of experimental static and dynamic analysis of structures. Students are introduced to techniques of measurement and analysis of the measured data, as well as with different types of device sets and sensors.
Part of the content will be in addition theoretical methods as well as examples of practical measurements in the lab or in the field. The experience gained by students will be applied when processing these.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

2

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

prof. Ing. Jaroslav Smutný, Dr.

Department

Institute of Railway Structures and Constructions (ZEL)

Entry knowledge

Fundamentals of physics and mathematics

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

Extent and forms are specified by guarantor’s regulation updated for every academic year.

Aims

The course aims to familiarise students with selected problems of structural analysis. The course will also include practical measurements and analysis. Students will also become familiar with current legislation and selected standards. The course will also include practical measurements and analysis. It is worth noting that students can use the knowledge very well to improve the quality of their final theses.

Brief content of the course:

  • Physical principles of measurement, modern measuring technology, and mathematical apparatus
  • Basic principles and types of sensors for structural analysis
  • Basic principles of data analysis in the time, frequency and time-frequency domains
  • Principles and methods of artificial excitation of structures
  • Measurement and analysis of vibrations from various sources
  • Analysis of mechanical properties of building components and building structures under static and changing loads (measurement of displacements, deformations, measurement of temperature and temperature fields)
  • Measurement and analysis of fatigue properties of building components
  • Experimental determination of natural shapes and frequencies, use of various excitation techniques
  • Analysis of very fast processes
  • Comparison of experimental techniques and mathematical models, calibration of mathematical models
  • Modern methods of identification of building structures, the basics of application of artificial intelligence methods in the process of structural evaluation

 

The demonstrated tasks will always include a description of the problem, the setting of instruments, boundary conditions, actual measurements and a discussion of the results. Students will actively participate in the tasks. Alternatively, within the institute's facilities, students can design their own tasks.

Study aids

Železniční konstrukce II, MODUL 1, měřící metody a signálová analýza

Železniční konstrukce II, MODUL 3, Měření mechanických a únavových vlastností materiálů a konstrukcí, snímače a metody

Železniční konstrukce II, MODUL 4, Experimentální analýza dynamicko-akustických jevů ve vztahu k dopravě

SMUTNÝ, J. Časově frekvenční analýza stavebních konstrukcí a materiálů. VUT Brno. Brno, ČR: VUTIUM, 2002. ISBN: 80-214-2166- 5

SMUTNÝ, J.; PAZDERA, L. Časově frekvenční analýza reálných signálů Brno: Econ publishing, 2003. 195 s. ISBN: 80-86433-23- 4

SMUTNÝ, J.; PAZDERA, L. The experimental analysis of dynamic processes related to railway transport. 1. 1. Brno: AKADEMICKÉ NAKLADATELSTVÍ CERM, 2012. 156 s. ISBN: 978-80-7204-827- 4

SMUTNÝ, J. Časově frekvenční analýza stavebních konstrukcí a materiálů. VUT Brno. Brno, ČR: VUTIUM, 2002. ISBN: 80-214-2166- 5

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Not applicable.

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

13 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Ing. Jaroslav Smutný, Dr.

Syllabus

1. Physical principles of measurement, basic mathematical tools, sensors physical values 2. Basic principles of analysis of experimental data in the time and frequency domain 3. Basic principles of analysis of experimental data in the time-frequency domain 4. Methods of excitation structures 5. Measurement and analysis of mechanical properties of building components and building structures under static and dynamic load (stress and strain measurement, temperature measurement) 6. Measurement and analysis of the fatigue properties of building components 7. Measurement and analysis of vibration 8. Experimental modal analysis, using of different techniques excitations 9. Dynamic analysis of structures 10. Modern methods of identification of structures 11. Analysis of very fast processes 12. Comparison of experimental techniques and mathematical models, calibration of mathematical models

Exercise

13 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. Ing. Jaroslav Smutný, Dr.

Syllabus

1. Demonstration and application of excitation techniques, frequency response function 2. Experimental static and dynamic analysis of selected building elements 3. Measurement and analysis of static and dynamic parameters of selected structural components under load 4. Modal analysis of selected building and structural components 5. Diagnosis of horizontal and vertical structures 6. Analysis of very fast processes under dynamic loading 7. Measurement and analysis of vibration from stationary sources 8. Comparison of FEM techniques with experiments on the selected structural element