The Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering
The Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering (ISISE) is a research unit funded by the Portuguese Science Foundation (FCT), incorporating Universities of Coimbra and Minho as hosting institutions.
In 2025, ISISE was evaluated by FCT – the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology and graded EXCELLENT.
🔊 𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗦𝗘 𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗰𝘂́𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲!
Researchers from the 𝗔𝗰𝗼𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗩𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 of 𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗦𝗘 – University of Coimbra participated in 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗻𝗶𝗮𝗰𝘂́𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, held in Granada, Spain, from 𝟮𝟭 𝘁𝗼 𝟮𝟯 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿.
The congress brought together researchers, professionals and industry representatives, providing an excellent opportunity to exchange knowledge and discuss recent advances in acoustics and vibrations.
🔬 ISISE researchers presented work covering a wide range of topics:
🔹 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗰𝗼𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 – Acoustic performance of modular floors, impact sound mitigation, and optimisation of ventilation systems considering acoustic, energy and indoor air quality requirements.
🔹 𝗔𝗰𝗼𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹𝘀 – Development and numerical modelling of acoustic metamaterials, resonant metastructures and Helmholtz resonators.
🔹 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲𝘀 – Soundscape analysis and its integration into conservation planning for natural areas and heritage sites.
🔹 𝗩𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗼𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 – Acoustic comfort in metro stations and prediction of railway traffic-induced vibrations.
👏 ISISE was well represented by Luis Godinho, Paulo Amado Mendes, Diogo Mateus, Andreia Pereira, Pedram Ayobi, Marco Ribera, Henrique Ferreira, Luciana Oliveira, Liliana Carvalho, Rocco Scarano and Dhanuskha Jayawardana.
Congratulations to all researchers for their contributions and for representing ISISE at this international scientific event!
#ISISE #ucoimbra #Dec #fctuc #AcousticsAndVibrations #tecniacustica2026 #buildingacoustics #acousticmetamaterials #soundscapes #vibroacoustics #research
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🔹 𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐒𝐄-𝐔𝐂 𝐚𝐭 𝐆𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐜 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
Researchers Rohola Rahnavard, Sandra Jordão and Eliana Inca Cabrera, attended glasstec – International Trade Fair 2026 in Düsseldorf, Germany, one of the leading international events for the #glassindustry.
🏗️ The participation in #glasstec2026 provided an opportunity to explore the latest developments in #structuralglass, #facade 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐬, 𝐠𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬, while engaging directly with manufacturers, engineering companies, testing organisations and other stakeholders from across the international glass and façade sector 🤝 to strengthen links between research and industry and exchange perspectives on current engineering challenges in structural glass and façade engineering.
#ISISE #SMCT #ucoimbra #Dec #fctuc #glasstec2026 #structuralglass #GlassEngineering #facadeengineering #buildingenvelope #glasstechnology #research #Innovation #TechnologyTransfer
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🚨 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐩𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝!
✔️ This study investigates the 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 of 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐝-𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐬-𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 developed within the 𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐎𝟑𝐃𝐉𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐒 modular construction system. By refining the truss geometry and connection details, the research explores solutions to improve 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐬𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲. Numerical analyses and comparisons with conventional IPE beams demonstrate the potential of the optimised configurations for developing 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬.
📖 Design and structural performance optimization of a lipped-channel cold-formed steel truss-girder used in INNO3DJOINTS modular construction system
👨🔬 Authors: Nemanja Milovanović, Rui Simões and Luís Simões da Silva
📘 Structures
🔗 buff.ly/IPHdjBb
#ISISE #SMCT #ucoimbra #Dec #fctuc #inno3djoints #RFCS #ModularConstruction #coldformedsteel #steelstructures #StructuralOptimization #trussgirders #finiteelementanalysis #structuralengineering #research #Innovation
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🔎 Call for Expressions of Interest | MODULINK Research Opportunity
We are looking for a motivated researcher with an MSc degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related field to potentially join MODULINK – Advanced Inter-Module Connections for High-Performance and Reconfigurable Steel Modular Buildings.
MODULINK is a research project focused on the development of a new generation of adjustable and reversible inter-module connections for steel modular construction, aiming to improve structural performance while facilitating manufacturing, assembly, accommodation of construction tolerances, future disassembly and reuse.
The research will combine several complementary areas, including:
• development and optimisation of steel inter-module connection systems;
• experimental testing and mechanical characterisation of connections;
• detailed numerical/finite element modelling and model calibration;
• development of simplified connection models for use in global structural analyses;
• assessment of diaphragm behaviour and global structural response of modular buildings;
• evaluation of floor vibration serviceability and structural dynamics;
• development of practical recommendations for design, manufacturing, assembly and disassembly.
We are particularly interested in candidates with a strong interest in steel structures, computational mechanics, finite element modelling and/or experimental structural engineering. Previous experience in all these areas is not required.
The opportunity may be particularly suitable for someone interested in developing the research towards a PhD. Such an interest would be highly valued.
📩 Interested in joining MODULINK?
Please submit your expression of interest through the following form: buff.ly/t0sA3N5
Please submit your interest before November 6th, 2026.
Please feel free to share this opportunity with MSc graduates or young researchers who may be interested.
#modulink #ResearchOpportunity #structuralengineering #civilengineering #steelstructures #ModularConstruction #finiteelementanalysis #experimentalmechanics #PhDOpportunity #research #engineering
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Call for Interested Parties – MODULINK
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As part of the R&D project “ MODULINK – Advanced Inter-Module Connections for High-Performance and Reconfigurable Steel Modular Buildings”, the recruitment of one (1) research grant is planned t...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
🚀 𝗞𝗶𝗰𝗸-𝗼𝗳𝗳 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁!
On 𝟳–𝟴 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, the kick-off meeting of the European research project 𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗩𝗘 – Enhancing the Fatigue Life of Advanced High-Strength Steel and Hybrid Structures through Friction Stir Welding took place at the University of Stuttgart, Germany.
Funded by the European Union under the 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗹 (𝗥𝗙𝗖𝗦), STIRVIVE aims to advance 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗿 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 (𝗙𝗦𝗪) technologies to improve the fatigue performance, durability and sustainability of high-strength steel structures and hybrid aluminium–steel joints.
Over the next 𝟰𝟮 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵𝘀, the project will focus on developing advanced welding tools and processes, improving the fatigue resistance of welded joints, and enabling the industrial application of FSW technologies in sectors such as steel construction, shipbuilding and heavy engineering.
🔬 The 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗶𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮, through researchers from 𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗦𝗘 – Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering, plays an active role in the project, leading research activities related to 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗙𝗦𝗪 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, in collaboration with researchers from 𝗖𝗘𝗠𝗠𝗣𝗥𝗘.
The STIRVIVE consortium brings together 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀: University of Stuttgart (Germany), University of Coimbra (Portugal), SEAPOWER (Portugal) and TRA-C (France), combining scientific expertise and industrial capabilities to develop innovative and more sustainable joining solutions.
We look forward to contributing to this exciting European collaboration and advancing the next generation of high-performance steel and hybrid structures!
𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗩𝗘 (Grant Agreement No. 101296125) is co-funded by the European Union through the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS).
#stirvive #ISISE #UniversityOfCoimbra #RFCS #europeanresearch #FrictionStirWelding #steelstructures #fatigue #structuralengineering #SustainableConstruction
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The School of Engineering regularly welcomes leading international professors and researchers, bringing fresh ideas, experiences, and perspectives. As part of these visits, “Engineering Talks” are promoted and open to the community, creating unique opportunities to engage with cutting-edge knowledge and international networks.
NEXT TALK:
Narges Azadvar
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow, School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, University of Sheffield (UK)
19 October 2026, 11h00
Azurém Campus, Building 1 | Room 2.009 (Sala de Reuniões 1 DEC)
Title: Composite Strengthening of Existing Structures: From FRP and TRM Seismic Retrofitting to Low-Carbon Textile-Mortar Systems
Info: Strengthening and rehabilitation of existing structures are increasingly important for improving seismic resilience and extending the service life of the built environment. This seminar traces a research journey from conventional fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) systems to textile-reinforced mortar/concrete (TRM/TRC) and, more recently, low-carbon inorganic-matrix composites. It covers experimental and numerical studies on FRP- and TRC-strengthened reinforced-concrete columns under axial and cyclic loading, and on TRM-strengthened masonry walls under combined seismic actions. The final part introduces the ongoing Marie Skłodowska-Curie project STRENGTH (University of Sheffield), which is developing AR-glass textile-reinforced geopolymer mortar as a low-carbon strengthening solution, with a focus on textile-mortar bond behaviour and interface modelling. The session closes with open technical questions and opportunities for collaboration.
Dr Narges Azadvar is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Sheffield, specialising in advanced composite systems and low-carbon materials for structural strengthening. She holds a PhD in Structural Engineering (2021) and has worked on more than 20 academic and industry-supported projects in structural rehabilitation, cementitious composites and finite-element modelling. She has published on FRP/TRC-strengthened concrete columns and TRM-strengthened masonry walls, co-authored two book chapters and developed a patented strengthening system. Her current MSCA project, STRENGTH, focuses on AR-glass textile-reinforced geopolymer mortar for low-carbon strengthening of substandard structures.
Organiser/Promoter: Pier Giovanni Benzo, investigador de pós-doutoramento (projeto CirWind, coord. Prof. José Sena-Cruz), Departamento de Engenharia Civil
Partnership: Departamento de Engenharia Civil / ISISE-Institute for Sustainability and Innovation in Structural Engineering
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