The Institute for Structural Mechanics led by Prof. Roger A. Sauer focuses in teaching and research in the development of computer-oriented methods for structural mechanics for the purpose of realistic prognoses of the system behaviour of engineering structures. The main focus is the development of realistic models for material and structures and their temporal variation as well as efficient numerical methods for non-linear static and dynamic structure analyses. The research profile is highly international oriented and is characterized by both fundamental and applied research in the field of numerical structural mechanics.

Current research focuses:

• modelling and numeral simulation of concrete and steel concrete engineering structures under consideration of damages, cracking and long-term structural degradation for the purpose of serviceability, ultimate loading and life-time prognoses
• development of finite element methods for non-linear static and dynamic structure analyses
• numeral simulation in tunnelling and underground construction with special focus on numerical simulation in mechanical tunnel construction
• development of numerical models and algorithms for brittle and ductile material (wood, partially-saturated soils, metallic material) under consideration of damage, non-elastic deformations, static fatigue and transport processes
• modelling of biologic structures on the basis of multi-scale simulations
• methods for optimization in structural mechanics

Within the scope of the courses of

• Civil Engineering
• Environmental Engineering
• Computational Engineering
• Subsurface Engineering

the institute is responsible for the topics structural analysis, linear and non-linear numerical methods in structural mechanics, computer-oriented methods in geotechnical and underground engineering.