Within the framework of the Erasmus+ project IM4STEM – Intelligent Methods for Structures, Elements and Materials, a Master’s thesis by Ivan Bandalo was successfully defended on September 26, 2025, entitled:
“Comparative Analysis of Mathematical Formulations for Estimating the Fundamental Period of Reinforced Concrete Structures”
The thesis was supervised by Professor Marijana Hadzima-Nyarko.
In modern society, characterised by increasing urbanisation and growing demands for safe construction solutions, the seismic resistance of structures has become one of the key challenges in engineering practice. Due to their unpredictable nature, earthquakes can cause severe human and material losses, underscoring the need for reliable methods and tools to accurately design and assess the safety of buildings.
One of the fundamental steps in seismic design is determining the fundamental vibration period of a structure, which represents one of the most important dynamic parameters. The fundamental period directly affects the calculation of seismic loads and the selection of appropriate spectral acceleration from the response spectrum. Its accurate estimation is crucial not only for structural safety, but also for economic efficiency and proper dynamic behaviour during earthquakes. In particular, the fundamental period largely depends on the height of the structure, as well as the characteristics of the structural system, making it a key indicator of seismic response.
The Master’s thesis was developed within the project IM4StEM – Intelligent Methods for Structures, Elements and Materials (2023-1-HR01-KA220-HED-000165929), implemented under the Erasmus+ programme.
By integrating theoretical knowledge with practical engineering calculations, the thesis contributes to a deeper understanding of the dynamic behaviour of reinforced concrete structures and represents a valuable step towards safer and more sustainable structural design, fully aligned with the objectives of the IM4STEM project.
