Department of Applied Mechanics

Historically, this is one of the oldest departments of the VILNIUS TECH Faculty of Civil Engineering, with origins linked to the University of Lithuania, established in Kaunas on 16 February 1922.

Address: Saulėtekio Ave. 11, S3 Room 401 Phone: (0 5) 274 5216 Email: stkm@vilniustech.lt

Department History

The Department of Applied Mechanics was founded on 1 July 2017 following the merger of the Department of Structural Mechanics (Faculty of Civil Engineering) and the Department of Strength of Materials and Theoretical Mechanics (Faculty of Fundamental Sciences).

History of the Department of Structural Mechanics

1922-02-16

The University of Lithuania was established in Kaunas.

1922-04-12

The Civil Engineering Division of the Faculty of Technology was established by the Seimas of Lithuania. The Department of Structural Mechanics began operating within it. The first head of the department was Assoc Prof Kazimieras Vasiliauskas (1879–1957).

1922–1930

The Department operates within the Civil Engineering Division of the Faculty of Technology at the University of Lithuania in Kaunas.

1930-06-07 – 1940-08-15

The Department became part of the Faculty of Technology at Vytautas Magnus University (VMU).

1945-09-01 – 1947-09-01

The Department of Structural Statics operates at Vytautas Magnus University (VMU).

1947-09-01 – 1950-12-15

The Department of Structural Statics operates at Vytautas Magnus University (VMU).

1950-12-15

Following the reorganisation of Vytautas Magnus University (VMU), the Faculty of Hydraulic Engineering was established at the Kaunas Polytechnic Institute (KPI). The Department of Structural Mechanics continued to operate within it.

1962-03-16

Based on the Department of Structural Mechanics of the Kaunas Polytechnic Institute (KPI), the Department of Strength of Materials was established. In 1993, it was renamed the Department of Mechanics of Deformable Bodies at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU).

1969

The Vilnius Civil Engineering Institute (VISI), now known as VILNIUS TECH, was established. The first rector was Prof Algimantas Čyras (1927–2001).

1970

The Department of Structural Mechanics at the Vilnius Civil Engineering Institute (VISI) was established by Prof A. Čyras on the basis of the Department of Mechanics, and he headed the department until 14 September 1987.

1974

Following the transfer of some KPI specialists and the closure of the earlier Department of Structural Mechanics, the VISI Department of Structural Mechanics became the successor to the traditions of the department founded in Kaunas in 1922.

1922-02-16

1922-04-12

1922–1930

1930-06-07 – 1940-08-15

1945-09-01 – 1947-09-01

1947-09-01 – 1950-12-15

1950-12-15

1962-03-16

1969

1970

1974

History of the Department of Strength of Materials and Theoretical Mechanics

1960 - 1970

The teaching of theoretical mechanics began with theoretical lectures delivered at: 1960 – the Vilnius Evening Faculty of the Kaunas Polytechnic Institute (KPI), at the Department of Applied Mechanics; 1961 – the Department of Mechanics and Mathematics at VISI; 1970 – the Department of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics.

1976-08-01

The Department of Strength of Materials was established at the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the Vilnius Civil Engineering Institute (VISI). The first head of the department was Prof habil Dr Algirdas Eduardas Čižas.

1990

The Department became part of the Faculty of Fundamental Sciences at the newly established Vilnius Technical University.

1990

The Department of Theoretical Mechanics was established after the Department of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics was divided into two separate departments.

2013-11-26

By decision of the VILNIUS TECH Council, the Departments of Strength of Materials and Theoretical Mechanics were merged.

2014-02-03

A joint Department of Strength of Materials and Theoretical Mechanics begins its activities.

1960 - 1970

1976-08-01

1990

2013-11-26

2014-02-03

Areas of Activity

The Department of Applied Mechanics specialises in the theory of structural analysis, optimisation methods, and modelling of failure processes in structural elements. The Department’s research focuses on the development and application of computational mechanics methods in civil engineering.

Main Research Areas:

Structural analysis theory and optimisation methods
Modelling of failure processes in structural elements
Development and application of computational mechanics methods
Development of multiphysics models
Application of duality theory to the optimisation of elastic–plastic structures
Development of algorithms and software for structural analysis problems
Numerical methods for the mechanics of deformable bodies
Analysis of structural behaviour under extreme conditions

Services and Expert Assessments Offered

Structural mechanical analysis services (deflections, stresses, stability)
Consultations on optimisation in structural mechanics
Algorithm development for digital structural analysis

Partners

The Department of Applied Mechanics actively collaborates with social and industry partners.

Department Staff

The Department’s academic staff teach students the fundamentals of mechanics and structural mechanics. The main areas of the Department’s activities include structural analysis theory and optimisation methods, modelling of failure processes in structural elements, and the development and application of computational mechanics methods.