Steel structures

• Head of Laboratory: Ing. Tomáš Klas, PhD., tomas.klas@stuba.sk
• Deputy Head of Laboratory: Ing. Ján Brodniansky, PhD., jan.brodniansky@stuba.sk
• Deputy Head of Laboratory: Ing. Martin Magura, PhD., martin.magura@stuba.sk

 Research focus 

• Innovative methods for the rehabilitation and strengthening of metal, wooden, and glass structures and elements - increasing structural resistance using advanced materials based on carbon and glass fibers, and verifying adhesive bonding.
• Experimental verification and evaluation of connecting elements – testing anchoring and fastening systems for large-area panels, hole fillings, etc.; full-scale (1:1) experiments; monitoring forces and deformations in connecting elements.

• Experimental verification of welding methods for orthotropic bridge decks without removing asphalt layers, and optimization of welding techniques.
• Slide-on joints - assessment of stress distribution in slide-on joints of circular and edged masts.

• Material characteristics – determination of material properties (tension, compression, bending, etc.) for various material types.

• Large-scale samples - evaluation of joints, deflections and performance of facade surface elements.

Laboratory equipment:

• Test press for compression, tensile and bending tests up to 500 kN.
• Modular test frame for samples up to 5 m in size with axial force loading up to 500 kN and bending stress up to 200 kN.
• Equipment for measuring structural stresses, dynamics, and displacements.
• Diagnostic equipment for structural assessment (material and coating thickness, material strength, NDT testing, etc.).

 Selected publications 

• HERDA, R. - SLIVANSKÝ, M. - BRODNIANSKY, J. - KLAS, T. Determination of flexural strength and Young's modulus of elasticity of actively bent wood. In Wood Research. Vol. 69, iss. 3 (2024), s. 485-494. ISSN 1336-4561. DOI: 10.37763/wr.1336-4561/69.3.485494
• ÁROCH, R. - KLAS, T. - PETRÍK, A. - VITÁSEK, M. - SZABÓ, D. Temperatures during weld repair on orthotropic steel decks. In IABSE Symposium Prague 2022: challenges for existing and oncoming structures. 1. vyd. Zürich: IABSE, 2022, S. 1196-1203. ISBN 978-3-85748-181-9.
• ÁROCH, R. - KOVÁČ, M. - KLAS, T. - ŠTECÁK, R. - VENGLÁR, M. Monitoring and Assessment of Bridge Cable Stays Consisting of Bundles of Fully Locked Coil Ropes. In IABSE Symposium Prague 2022: challenges for existing and oncoming structures. 1. vyd. Zürich: IABSE, 2022, S. 338-345. ISBN 978-3-85748-181-9.
• ONDRUŠKOVÁ, L. - BRODNIANSKY, J. - BRODNIANSKY, J. - KLAS, T. Experimental analysis of the post-fracture behaviour of laminated glass with bolted connections. In Slovak Journal of Civil Engineering. Vol. 32, no. 2 (2024), online, s. 10-20. ISSN 1338-3973. DOI:10.2478/sjce-2024-0009