Professor Sinan Acikgoz

• Masonry structures
• Structural health monitoring
• Structural dynamics
• Soil-structure interaction
• Risk and vulnerability

Current Projects

Influence of underground construction on nearby structures

​Underground construction is becoming the preferred method to deliver infrastructure to urban areas. However, ground movements during construction can damage existing structures. Inspired by comprehensive field data, our research develops new analytical assessment techniques which consider salient building features and soil-structure interaction in a simple and effective manner. These models aim to provide a clearer appreciation of risk to existing structures in order to minimise expensive mitigation methods.

Structural response of ageing masonry arch bridges

Masonry arch bridges form an integral part of the European transportation network. These enduring structures are facing new challenges due to modern use and increased flood risks, yet their serviceability response is poorly understood. Our research investigates the fundamental behaviour of masonry bridges with detailed field data and computational modelling.  The objective of this research is to devise new assessment tools which can better describe the serviceability response of damaged masonry bridges and predict their complex degradation processes.

Vision-based remote and distributed sensing techniques

​Vision based remote and distributed sensing technologies provide the ability to remotely quantify the damage condition of the asset and precisely measure displacements and strains in different parts of the structure.  Our research interests in this area include the use of photogrammetry, digital image correlation and laser scanning to describe structural geometry, load, performance and damage, to inform structural assessments.

Dynamics of rocking structures

​During earthquakes, masonry structures exhibit rocking behaviour in different forms. In addition, new generation of earthquake resilient design systems use rocking mechanisms to mitigate damage in structures. Therefore, understanding the dynamics of rocking systems is of fundamental importance for the protection of old and new structures from earthquakes. Our work in this area focuses on the complex interactions between the soil, the rocking mechanisms and the structural vibrations.