Topics and Minisymposia

Conference Topics

ICoEV conference series bring together researchers investigating vibration-related problems in science and engineering providing an international forum for the present the state-of-the-art in this increasingly broad scientific domain including the following topics (but not limited to):

• Mathematical Modelling (TP01)

• Experimental Techniques (TP02)

• Computational Methods (TP03)

• Nonlinear and Stochastic Dynamics (TP04)

• Structural Dynamics (TP05)

• Wave Problems (TP06)

• Neurodynamics (TP07)

• Acoustics (TP08)

• Fluid-Structure Interactions (TP09)

• Identification and Modal Analysis (TP10)

• Signal Processing (TP11)

• Dynamics of Rotating Systems (TP12)

• Structural Health Monitoring (TP13)

• Vibration Control and Isolation (TP14)

Mini-Symposia

Non-linear Dynamics and Dynamic Stability

Corresponding Organizer: Prof. Jiří Náprstek

Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Email: naprstek@itam.cas.cz

Co-Organizer: Prof. Andrei V. Metrikine

Delft University of Technology, Email: A.Metrikine@tudelft.nl


The focus of this mini-symposium is placed on the new developments in the theory of stability of the dynamical systems and its applications in structural dynamics. Papers are welcome of theoretical, experimental and applied nature. Papers on recent and ongoing research as well as papers of multi-disciplinary nature are expected as well. 

The scope of the mini-symposium is broad and papers are expected on the dynamic stability of discrete and continuous, linear and nonlinear, smooth and non-smooth, deterministic and random systems subjected to external excitation or exhibiting self-exciting vibrations and waves. Papers on the mathematical foundations of the stability theory may include investigations of Hamiltonian and non Hamiltonian system, stability definitions and criteria, bifurcations, limit states, limit cycles, transition and other non-steady effects, quasi-periodic interaction, basins of attractors, maps, chaotic processes, etc. Papers employing analytical, semi-analytical, or numerical approaches are welcome. 

Experimental studies are invited on the dynamic stability of mechanical systems at various scales ranging from nano- to giga -mechanics. Papers on the dynamic stability of engineering systems will constitute the core of this mini-symposium. It is expected that both the classical fields of civil and mechanical engineering and the emerging areas of micro and bio-mechanics will be addressed.


Frequency-based spectral methods for vibration random fatigue

Corresponding Organizer: Prof. Denis Benasciutti

University of Udine, Udine, Italy, Email: denis.benasciutti@uniud.it

Co-Organizer: Assoc. Prof. Janko Slavič

University of Ljubljana, Email: janko.slavic@fs.uni-lj.si


In the last decades, frequency-based methods have become very popular tools for durability assessment of structures exposed to random stresses. Such methods give analytical expressions to evaluate fatigue damage and service life from the Power Spectral Density of uniaxial or multiaxial random stresses. This also allows the use of frequency-domain dynamic analysis with Finite Elements. 

Compared to classical time-domain approaches, frequency-based methods provide a quick and efficient way to approach random fatigue, especially in Finite Elements models with hundreds of thousands of nodes, where time-domain analysis would be rather impractical. In the last years, several frequency-based spectral methods have been developed for uniaxial and multiaxial random stresses; their accuracy has been checked by numerical simulations and experimental tests. 

Despite some underlying principles are beginning to emerge, there is still ground for further improvements, based also on feedbacks from industrial applications. To this end, the joint cooperation academic and industrial research can be strategic. 

This symposium is then intended to be an opportunity to share experiences from academic research and industrial applications in the field of frequency-domain vibration fatigue. Some topics for discussion are (but are not limited to): Structural durability using spectral method, Finite element based vibration fatigue and Fatigue life testing with random loadings. 

The symposium will stimulate open discussions among participants, with the aim to identify some underlying principles and accepted methods in frequency-domain vibration fatigue.


Vibration Problems in the Solids Systems With Dry Friction

Corresponding Organizer: Prof. Alexander V. Karapetyan

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Email: avkarapetyan@yandex.ru

Co-Organizer: Ass. Prof. Dr. Alexey A. Kireenkov

Russian Academy of Sciences, Email: kireenk@ipmnet.ru/kireenk@mail.ru


The main aim of the Mini-symposium is exchanging of the new ideas and achievements between research groups that are developing the models and investigations methods of the vibration problems in the solids systems with dry friction and solve real dynamics problems. Special attention will be given to vibration problems in solid systems with dry friction under conditions of the combined kinematics when the rubbing solids are participated simultaneously in the rolling, spinning and sliding motions.


Optimization on Vibration Control of Seismic Structures

Corresponding Organizer: Prof. S. Melih Nigdeli

Istanbul University, Email: melihnig@istanbul.edu.tr

Co-Organizer: Prof. Gebrail Bekdas

Istanbul University, Email: bekdas@istanbul.edu.tr


The optimization is essential for the control of the structures subjected to excitations with high impacts like earthquakes. In passive controlled structures, the optimization of the device properties and the location is important for the best performance and economy. On the other hand, the active control systems must be optimized to overcome stability, feasibility and energy problems. The aim of the mini-symposium is to bring together all leading academicians working on structural control using numerical optimization, metaheuristic algorithms, optimal control theory and other new and well-known methods. The original numerical and experimental studies employing new methods and the original applications of existing methods are accepted.


Vibration Analysis of Steel and Steel-Concrete Composite Structures

Corresponding Organizer: Prof. José Guilherme Santos da Silva

State University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Email: jgss@uerj.br

Co-Organizer: /


The aim of this session is to summarize the progress in theoretical, computational and experimental research in the field of the vibration analysis of steel and steel-concrete composite structures. Special emphasis is always given to new concepts and procedures concerning the computational modelling and dynamic analysis of steel and steel-concrete composite structures. Topics of interest include linear and nonlinear structural dynamics, fatigue analysis, identification and modal analysis, vibration analysis of floors, bridges and footbridges, buildings, tower and masts and soil-structure interaction. Papers of all research areas related to theoretical, numerical and experimental aspects concerning the vibration analysis of steel and steel- concrete composite structures are very welcome.


Vibration of Solids and Structures Under Moving Loads: Modelling and Analysis

Corresponding Organizer: Prof. Piotr Koziol

Cracow University of Technology, Poland, Email: pkoziol@pk.edu.pl

Co-Organizer: Prof. Zuzana Dimitrovová

Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal, Email: zdim@fct.unl.pt

Co-Organizer: Prof. Miguel Matos Neves

Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal, Email: miguel.matos.neves@tecnico.ulisboa.pt


New developments in transportation produce problems regarding appropriate analysis of dynamic behaviour of structures which could allow effective prediction of possible scenario related to operational systems. Increase of velocity, prevention of surroundings against noise and vibrations, vibration mitigation, cost reduction, improvement of heavy transport and others are the main concerns appearing in construction of safer, more comfortable and cheaper transport. One can still observe a lack of satisfactory answers to questions formulated by scientists and engineers. New modelling approaches, accompanied by numerical simulations and experimental validations, are needed for better representation of real structures dynamic phenomena and for prediction of the operational conditions. 

This session aims at bringing together academic scientists and industry researchers dedicating their investigations to solutions related to analysis of dynamic systems behaviour, with special emphasis on transportation structures. It covers a broad research area from simple models to applications, analytical modelling, numerical simulations, design, experimental measurements and optimization. Interdisciplinary ideas regarding physical problems appearing in constructions subjected to dynamic excitations (mainly due to moving loads) are welcome in this session.


Nonlinear Dynamic Interactions and Phenomena: Emergent Methods and their Applications in Engineering and Science

Corresponding Organizer: Prof. José Manoel Balthazar

Technological Institute of Aeronautics ITA, São José dos Campos and São Paulo State University, Bauru (SP, Brazil), Email:jmbaltha@gmail.com

Co-Organizer: Prof. Paulo Batista Goncalves

Mengineering Civil Department, PU-Rio, RJ, Brazil, Email: paulo@puc-rio.br

Co-Organizer: Prof. Stefan Kaczmarczyk

University of Northampton, UK, Email: Stefan.Kaczmarczyk@northampton.ac.uk


The highly generic, interdisciplinary quality of the insights gained in the last few decades has spawned myriad applications in almost all branches of science and technology and even well beyond. Wherever the quantitative modeling and analysis of complex, nonlinear phenomena are required, chaos theory and its methods can play a key role. Its include systems. Chaos and nonlinear dynamics initially developed as a new emergent field with its foundation in engineering and applied sciences. Analytically modeled, numerically simulated, and experimentally realized to demonstrate enhanced capabilities and new challenges.By considering that most realistic vibration environments are more accurately described as either stochastic, multi-frequency, time varying, or some combination thereof, narrowband linear systems are fated to be highly inefficient under these conditions. Nonlinear systems, are capable of responding over a broad frequency range; suggesting an intrinsic suitability for efficient performance in realistic vibration environments. This symposium aims to deals with the most relevant contemporary applications of chaotic nonlinear vibrating systems as they apply to the various cutting-edge branches of engineering. and science.


Influencing Vibrations by Dissipative Effects

Corresponding Organizer: Prof. Utz von Wagner

Technische Universität Berlin, Email: utz.vonwagner@tu-berlin.de

Co-Organizer: Prof. Alexander Fidlin

Karlsruher Institut für Technologie, Email: alexander.fidlin@kit.edu


Increasing efficiency in vehicles or machines is one of the key issues of actual research in engineering science. As a result dissipative effects are widely eliminated with the result of increasing tendency to undesired vibrations, which may result in comfort or health problems or even in collapse of technical systems. In most cases, technical structures are only slightly damped, as long as there are not introduced special damping or dissipative components by intention. 
The Mini-Symposium is open to both experimental and/or simulation work on influencing vibrational behavior of mechanical or mechatronic systems by dissipative effects for all types of applications. Research work presented in this Mini-Symposium can address entire system dynamics e.g. with respect to stability but can also deal with special damping devices or damping mechanisms as friction, fluid damping, damping via magnetic/electric fields or material damping.


Dynamics Drilling Deep Boreholes – Drillstring and Drillbit Vibrations

Corresponding Organizer: Prof. Hans Ingo Weber

Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, PUC-Rio, Email: hans@puc-rio.br

Co-Organizer: Prof. Marian Wiercigroch FRSE

University of Aberdeen Aberdeen AB24 3UE, Scotland, UK, Email: m.wiercigroch@abdn.ac.uk

Co-Organizer: Prof. Luiz Franca

CSIRO – Earth, Science and Resource Engineering, Email: Luiz.Franca@csiro.au

Co-Organizer: Prof. Ian Forster

National Oilwell Varco, Email: ian.Forster@nov.com


The development of efficient techniques to drill deep boreholes to access the Earth’s underground energy resources is a great challenge of our time, affording engineering sagacity and innovation capacity. Technological developments are somehow ahead of scientific methodology, demanding a huge amount of theoretical modelling and experimental validation. Recent conferences confirm an increasing number of papers on this subject covering a growing diversity of topics. A simple search in ENOC 2014 proceedings shows that 13 papers discuss drill strings which were presented in diverse kind of sessions. Developments of robust methods to control and mitigate the self-excited vibrations of drilling systems, formulation of comprehensive models for predicting borehole trajectories that can be used to optimize the control of rotary steerable systems, and understanding of efficient means to fragment rocks in the pressure environment of deep holes are examples of scientific challenges in this area. This mini-symposium will focus topics like drillstring vibrations, drill bit dynamic behaviour, bit-rock interaction modelling, impacting techniques, borehole propagation models, torque & drag and downhole measuring techniques. We expect lively discussions emerging during the sessions.


Inverse Problems and Uncertainty Quantification

Corresponding Organizer: Prof. Daniel Alves Castello

Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Email: castello@mecanica.ufrj.br

Co-Organizer: Prof. Thiago Gamboa Ritto

Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Email: tritto@mecanica.ufrj.br


The increasing speed of computers has led the field of computational simulation to new challenging frontiers. Computational Models (CM) have been used to predict the behavior of complex physical systems such as spacecrafts, flexible risers, oil platforms, drill-strings, microelectronic components, among others. Being on the core of Model Validation, the fields of Inverse Problems and Uncertainty Quantification have shown to be invaluable within any Engineering Program whose decisions are to be made based on computational models. The purpose of the present section is to bring together researchers working on Inverse Problems and Uncertainty Quantification applied to Acoustics, Dynamics and Vibration modeling and their respective applications. We aim at creating an environment prone to the exchange of information and ideas within these fields encompassing: material characterization and nondestructive evaluation based on sound and dynamic tests, structural damping optimization, stochastic modeling techniques, sensitivity analysis, damage identification, etc.


Substructuring Techniques in Structural Dynamics

Corresponding Organizer: Prof. Daniel J. Rixen

Technische Universität München, Email: rixen@tum.de

Co-Organizer: /


Dividing problems into sub-problems is a powerful paradigm to efficiently analyze dynamic problems. When applied to large numerical models, substructuring techniques allow creating superelements and reducing the complexity of each component so that the assembled problem is manageable yet accurate. Classical techniques like the Craig-Bampton method are common tools for such procedures, but more advanced approaches (allowing for instance to account for design variations or for non-linearities) are still active research topics. Substructuring also allows combining submodels obtained from measured components so that, through an assembly process, a representation of the full structure can be constructed and used in further engineering and design tasks. The field of hardware-in-the-loop (or hybrid testing) is also an instance of substructuring, where one component is a hardware in the lab whereas the other is a numerical model in the controller interacting through actors and sensors. In this mini-symposium we intend to gather contributions related both to reduction techniques and to experimental substructuring, applied to the linear or non-linear investigation of the dynamics of structures, possibly coupled with other physical fields.


Power-transformer noise

Corresponding Organizer: Prof. Helmut PFÜTZNER

Vienna University of Technology, Austria, Email: pfutzner@tuwien.ac.at

Co-Organizer: Ass. Prof. Gregor Čepon

University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, Email: gregor.cepon@fs.uni-lj.si


For a long time the energy efficiency of power transformers was by far the most important criterion. However, in recent years this has changed, as power transformers are now frequently located close to urban areas, which means the noise level is becoming increasingly important. From the perspective of noise reduction, it is therefore essential to identify the sources of noise and the way these sources are transmitted through the system. 


A simplified picture reveals that the magnetic field is generated by the coils, while the resulting magnetic field excites the laminated steel core. The coils are exposed to magnetic forces and the steel in the core is subject to magnetostrictive effects. The result of these effects is increased vibrations. These vibrations are transmitted via the cooling oil on the transformer housing and the housing radiates the vibrations in the form of acoustic noise to the environment.
This simplified picture reveals the multiphysical and multidisciplinary nature of the electric power transformer’s vibro-acoustic challenge, which ranges from structural dynamics, nonlinear contact dynamics, the dynamics of rigid bodies, the dynamics of fluids, magnetics and magnetostriction, acoustics, to advanced experimental approaches.


The dynamics of an axially moving continuum

Corresponding Organizer: Ass. Prof. Gregor Čepon

University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, Email: gregor.cepon@fs.uni-lj.si

Co-Organizer: Prof. Lionel Manin

Insa Lyon, France, Email: lionel.manin@insa-lyon.fr


Many engineering devices can be represented by axially moving systems, for example, power-transmission belts, plastic films, chain drives, magnetic tapes, paper sheets and textile fibers. To ensure that such structural systems operate under stable working conditions, their dynamic response and stability have been studied extensively. A great deal of research has been carried out on the transverse and axial vibrations of such systems, including nonlinear effects. 
The intention of the Mini-Symposium is to focus on the theoretical and experimental investigations of such systems and the application of developed models to simulate or improve the performance of systems in general. The presentation might cover numerical modeling, the identification of nonlinear phenomena, experimental observations and the identification of system parameters, and the dynamic modeling of real case structures, such as belt drives, band saws, transportation systems and other similar systems.


Engineering solutions for damping vibrations

Corresponding Organizer: Prof. Fabrizia Ghezzo

Kuang-Chi Institute of Advanced Technology, China, Email: fabriziaghezzo@yahoo.it

Co-Organizer: Prof. Helder Rodrigues

Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal, Email: hcr@ist.utl.pt

Co-Organizer: Prof. Zuzana Dimitrovová

Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal, Email: zdim@fct.unl.pt


The aim of this mini-symposium is the collection of works in the area of development of solutions and systems for the dissipation of the energy of vibrations induced by external loading in a structure, or component. Energy dissipation by mechanical or materials damping is one of the most important problems for vibrations control and suppression in mechanical and structural engineering. The reduction of vibrations in systems for civilian applications can improve the stability of structures and guarantees longer service life, therefore a lot of efforts have been dedicated to develop materials or to improve traditional materials and systems for controlling the stability of such structures. This mini symposium invites all papers that have as main objective the development of solutions for the reduction of vibrations in structural engineering. It includes the modelling of such a behavior both by analytical and numerical approaches. Materials include composites, traditional metallic materials, polymers, and hybrid systems. The behavior may include aspects of stability or damping efficiency at varying temperature, load and other fundamental variables for the problem being considered. Overall, this mini-symposium welcomes papers of interdisciplinary nature which involve aspects of materials, mechanical and structural engineering that have as a goal damping the energy of externally induced vibrations.


Synchronization in Engineering Systems

Corresponding Organizer: Prof. Tomasz Kapitaniak

Technical University of Lodz, Poland, Email: tomasz.kapitaniak@p.lodz.pl

Co-Organizer: Assoc. Prof. Przemyslaw Perlikowski

Technical University of Lodz, Poland and National University of Singapore, Singapore, Email: przemyslaw.perlikowski@p.lodz.pl


The mini-symposium is devoted to phenomena of synchronization. It covers a broad range of research areas combining structural, mechanical and electrical engineering as well as multidisciplinary topics. In many systems the synchronization improves performance or/and increase reliability. However, in wide class of systems synchronous motion should be considered as a potentially dangerous. The main porpoise of mini-symposium is to show all possible outcomes of synchronization in engineering. 


The aim of the mini-symposium is to collect the recent finding in field of synchronization both theoretical and experimental results with special emphasis to applications. Topics of interest include analysis of all types of synchronization like complete, phase, amplitude, anticipatory, lag, imperfect and others. The investigation devoted to active and semi-active control of systems leading to obtain or to destroy the synchronous motion are strongly invited. The investigation with in depth understanding of this phenomena using analytical, semi-analytical, or numerical approaches are welcomed. The significant attention will be placed on experimental observations of synchronization in mechanical, electrical and structural systems.


Time-Periodic Systems: Modelling, Behaviour and Applications

Corresponding Organizer: Prof. Ivana Kovacic

University of Novi Sad, Serbia, Email: ivanakov@uns.ac.rs

Co-Organizer: Prof. Fadi Dohnal

Alstom Switzerland Ltd., Switzerland, Email: fadi.dohnal@power.alstom.com


This Mini-Symposium is concerned with modelling, investigations of phenomenological behaviour and applications of time-periodic (TP) systems. Time-periodicity can appear directly as a variation of system parameters, implicitly through boundary conditions, e.g. in axially loaded structures, rotor shafts in anisotropic bearings, for which the prediction of a safe operating regime is important, or as autoparametric interactions; emerging fields in physics and engineering on the micro- and nano-scale introduce it to improve vibration performance. The aim of the Mini-Symposium is to collect and enhance the research of time-periodic systems in the context of technical systems and applications.


This mini-symposium provides a forum for experts in applied mathematics and physics, mechanics and engineering (civil, mechanical and electrical) to exchange ideas and get awareness of trends in the analysis and real application of time-periodic systems.


Full Field Measurements for Advanced Structural Dynamics

Corresponding Organizer: Dr. Alessandro Zanarini

University of Bologna, Italy & Vienna University of Technology, Austria, Email: a.zanarini@unibo.it


The improvements in the electronics of modern cameras have raised the attention on image based technologies also for the precise measurement of complex vibration patterns for dynamic analyses in a broad extent beyond traditional Holography and scanning techniques. The advancements of digital cameras has brought Speckle Interferometry techniques to a renewed interest. Besides, the production of hi-speed digital cameras has recently raised DIC technique as another competitive technology in the full field domain; the SLDV, thanks to its ability to scan discrete locations over the surface, can also be considered close to the full field technologies, even if not full field native. Other techniques might address the same topic, as distributed sensors like Fiber Bragg gratings.


Present dynamic testing and analysis approaches, based on traditional transducers, do not take full advantage of the growing full field measurements, while full field techniques have proved to be increasingly effective in complex dynamic analysis. This symposium aims at exploring the procedures & algorithms in structural dynamics and the feasibility of new specific approaches for full field measurements, Experimental Modal Analysis & Identification, dynamic strains and advanced model updating.


Non-smooth Dynamical Systems

Corresponding Organizer: Prof. Marian Wiercigroch

University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK, Email: m.wiercigroch@abdn.ac.uk

Co-Organizer: Prof. Qingjie Cao

Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China, Email: g.j.cao@hit.edu.cn

Co-Organizer: Prof. Caishan Liu

Peking University, Beijing, China, Email: liucs@pku.edu.cn

Co-Organizer: Dr. Joseph Paez Chavez

Dresden University of Technology, Germany, Email: joseph.paez@mailbox.tu-dresden.de


Non-smooth dynamical systems are one of the most researched problems in theoretical and applied dynamics. The main objective of this symposium is to provide a discussion platform for new and most significant results in the field, specifically on mathematical modelling, analysis, experimental studies, control and applications on non-smooth system in science and engineering. The meeting aims to bring together theoretical and applied researchers working in various areas of non-smooth dynamics. Contributions on all aspects of non-smooth dynamics are invited but those coming from the experimental dynamics are particularly welcomed.


FP7 GRESIMO: Green and silent mobility

Corresponding Organizer: Prof. Miha Boltežar

University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, Email: miha.boltezar@fs.uni-lj.si

Co-Organizer: Assoc. Prof. Janko Slavič

University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, Email: janko.slavic@fs.uni-lj.si


The GRESIMO ITN aims to bring together early career researchers and experienced colleagues from across Europe, covering three key R&D areas for achieving green and silent mobility: 
Noise, Vibration & Harshness (NVH), Light Weight Design (LWD), Hybridisation/Electrification (H/E). 
We invite GRESIMO partners and other researchers interested in the green and silent mobility to submit their work. 
www.gresimo.at