MASTERS' THESES - academic year 2025/26

Below are proposed topics for master's theses prepared by the staff of the Department of Structural Mechanics. These topics reflect current research and teaching activities, and their realization offers students the opportunity to deepen their individual research interests.

Prof. Jarosław Górski, DSc, PhD, Eng.

Prof. Paweł Kłosowski, DSc, PhD, Eng.

Prof. Izabela Lubowiecka, DSc, PhD, Eng.

Prof. Roger A. Sauer, PhD, Eng.

Assoc. Prof. Andrzej Ambroziak, DSc, PhD, Eng.

Assoc. Prof. Violetta Konopińska-Zmysłowska, DSc, PhD, Eng.

Assoc. Prof. Marcin Kujawa, DSc, PhD, Eng.
Title: Shear strength of structural adhesive – laboratory investigation and nonlinear FEA.
Short description: The aim of the thesis is the experimental and numerical determination of the shear strength of a selected structural epoxy adhesive and the evaluation of its suitability for engineering applications. The scope includes specimen preparation, laboratory testing using a universal testing machine, analysis of results, and identification of failure progression. In the following stage of the analysis, a nonlinear finite element (FEA) model of the adhesive joint will be developed, incorporating material nonlinearity and a suitable failure criterion. The simulations will provide insights into the influence of loading conditions and joint geometry on damage initiation and progression, and the numerical predictions will be compared with laboratory test results.
Keywords: structural adhesives; epoxy adhesives; adhesive joints; shear strength; nonlinear FEA; failure modeling
Required tools/resources: materials for specimen preparation; universal testing machine; shear test fixtures for adhesives; Abaqus computational software (provided by the Department).

Assoc. Prof. Agnieszka Tomaszewska, DSc, PhD, Eng.

Milena Drozdowska, PhD, Eng. - currently on leave

Marcin Krajewski, PhD, Eng.

Anna Pestka, PhD, Eng.

Łukasz Smakosz, PhD, Eng.
Title: Tensile strength of structural adhesive - laboratory investigation and nonlinear FEA.
Short description: The thesis aims to comprehensively investigate the behavior of a structural epoxy adhesive under tensile loading through laboratory experiments and nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA). The experimental part covers specimen preparation, tensile strength testing, and investigation of failure progression. Subsequently, a nonlinear FEA model of the adhesive joint will be developed, accounting for non-linear stress–strain relationships as well as damage initiation and crack propagation criteria. By comparing experimental results with numerical simulations, the study will assess the applicability of the developed model for predicting the performance of adhesive joints in real engineering structures.
Keywords: structural adhesives; epoxy adhesives; adhesive joints; tensile strength; nonlinear FEA; damage mechanics
Required tools/resources: materials for specimen preparation; universal testing machine; tensile test fixtures for adhesives; Abaqus computational software

Katarzyna Szepietowska, PhD, Eng.

Karol Winkelmann, PhD, Eng.

Marcin Zmuda Trzebiatowski, PhD, Eng.
Title: Numerical Analysis of a self-locking and self-supporting structure based on the Leonardo da Vinci Bridge.
Short description: This work aims to numerically analyze the nonlinear statics and/or dynamics of a self-supporting and self-locking structure based on the Leonardo da Vinci Bridge concept. The analyzed system consists of independent and mutually interlocking beams using frictional contact.
Keywords: Leonardo da Vinci Bridge; self-locking structure; frictional contact; numerical analysis
Required tools/resources: software: Hexagon Marc/Mentat, Autodesk AutoCAD

Krzysztof Żerdzicki, PhD, Eng. - currently on leave

Bartłomiej Łazorczyk, MSc, Eng.