Virtual Sessions:
mid-October / mid-November
Credits:
3 ECTS
BIP Type:
Discipline-specific
Fields of Study:
Civil Engineering / Structural Engineering — Structural Dynamics, Earthquake Engineering, Seismic Design; transversal skills in international collaboration, communication, and systems thinking
Level of Experience:
Bachelor / Master
Sending partners:
MTU, UdA (+ other INGENIUM Universities)
Available Places:
5-10 MTU students
5-10 UdA students
5-10 other INGENIUM Universities
BIP Coordinator
Ioana Olteanu
ioana.olteanu@academic.tuiasi.ro
BIP SeismicX: Engineering Structures for the Real World
About the programme
SeismicX: Engineering Structures for the Real World is a practical, interdisciplinary Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) focused on developing a scientifically grounded understanding of structural behaviour during seismic events, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world engineering practice.
The programme is designed for Bachelor’s and Master’s students in Civil Engineering and related fields and aims to strengthen their ability to analyse structural dynamic response, evaluate seismic design choices, and interpret experimental results by combining hands-on demonstrations, physical models, and laboratory experiments with fundamental theoretical foundations.
A key focus is to provide both conceptual grounding and experiential learning in areas such as structural dynamics, earthquake engineering, seismic protection strategies, numerical simulation, and systems thinking, exploring how seismic performance is shaped not only by individual structural components but also by the wider built environment.
How you will learn
Learning activities are based on experiential and project-based learning, combining virtual theoretical modules with intensive on-site hands-on activities. Students work in international and interdisciplinary teams throughout the programme:
- Designing, building and testing a 3D structural model on a shaking table
- Performing numerical simulations and comparing predictions with experimental seismic responses
- Applying iterative design refinement based on experimental feedback
Special emphasis is placed on systems thinking and critical analysis, supported by interactive demonstrations, live laboratory experiments, and poster presentations.
Competences you will develope
- Structural dynamics and earthquake engineering: degrees of freedom, stiffness, damping, equation of motion, natural frequencies, modal shapes
- Seismic design principles and modern structural protection strategies (ductile design, energy dissipation devices, adaptive systems — TLD, TMD — and base isolation)
- Experiential and hands-on learning: physical models, laboratory experiments and shaking-table tests
- Systems thinking and societal awareness: seismic performance in the wider built environment
- International and intercultural collaboration: knowledge exchange and professional networking across INGENIUM institutions
- Critical thinking: evaluating design choices, interpreting experimental results and comparing engineering strategies
- Transversal skills: communication, dissemination, and collaborative teamwork
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of the BIP, students will be able to:
- LO1. Explain the fundamental principles of structural dynamics and earthquake engineering, including degrees of freedom, stiffness, damping, natural frequencies, modal shapes, and seismic response spectra
- LO2. Design, build and test a 3D structural model on a shaking table, interpreting experimental results and comparing simulated with real seismic responses
- LO3. Apply numerical simulation tools (LinPRO, Python, Matlab) to model structural behaviour under seismic loading and iteratively refine designs based on experimental feedback
- LO4. Evaluate modern seismic protection strategies (ductile design, energy dissipation devices, TLD, TMD, base isolation) and apply critical thinking when comparing engineering design choices across seismic contexts
- LO5. Collaborate effectively in international, intercultural teams, sharing local seismic engineering perspectives and developing professional networks across INGENIUM partner institutions
BIP's Programme
Virtual component (online activities)
Period: mid-October / mid-November
Schedule / Contents:
VM 1 — Introduction to Structural Dynamics:
- Essential theoretical foundations: degrees of freedom, stiffness, damping, equation of motion for SDOF systems, natural frequencies and modal shapes
- Behaviour of damped and undamped systems under forced vibration: harmonic loading, resonance and amplitude ratios
- Interactive demonstrations using numerical and finite element software (LinPRO, Python, Matlab)
VM 2 — Understanding Earthquakes: From Ground Motion to Structural Systems:
- Introduction to seismology: Earth’s structure, seismic zones, causes and types of earthquakes, seismic waves and measurement scales
- Key engineering concepts: ground-motion parameters (PGA), response spectra, structural systems, soil dynamics and soil–structure interaction
- Modern seismic protection strategies: ductile design, energy dissipation devices, adaptive systems (TLD, TMD) and base isolation
VM 3 — Feedback session and evaluation
Physical component (on-site at TUIASI)
Period: November 2026
Programme / Contents:
- Introduction to the shaking table: initial experiment and review of the first numerical assignment
- Introduction to damping devices and project requirements briefing; team formation
- Working sessions: teams design, build and test a small 3D building model on a shaking table
- Numerical simulations: teams perform structural modelling and compare predictions with shaking-table test results
- Guided design refinement: iterative improvement of structural models and analyses based on experimental feedback
- Final model testing: conclusive shaking-table test comparing simulated and experimental seismic responses
- Concise poster presentations by each team
- Team evaluation session
Duration: 5-day on-site module (09:00–17:30 daily)
Application requirements
To apply for this BIP you must:
- Be enrolled at one of the INGENIUM partner universities at the time of the programme.
- Apply through your home (sending) institution.
- Have a sufficient level of English (typically B2 or equivalent).
- Be available to participate in both the virtual and physical components of the BIP.
- Meet any specific academic or eligibility requirements indicated for this programme.
As this BIP includes a physical mobility period hosted at TUIASI (Iasi, Romania), it is intended for students coming from other INGENIUM partner institutions. Therefore, students enrolled at TUIASI are not eligible to apply for this specific BIP.
How to apply
Applications for this BIP are managed by each INGENIUM partner university.
To apply, please select your home university from the list below and follow the application process indicated on their page. Each institution has its own application platform and procedure.
Related Events
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
