This summer, Povilas Dabrila successfully defended his PhD dissertation at VILNIUS TECH, titled "Analysis of Innovative Cable-Stayed Steel Bridge Structures." The young researcher not only explored the complex properties of such structures but also proposed a practically applicable calculation methodology that, in the future, could help engineers and architects design aesthetically pleasing and reliable new types of bridges.
Cable-stayed bridges are known for their distinct architectural expression – the deck is suspended by cables (called stays) arranged in a fan-like pattern and anchored to pylons. However, beneath their elegant appearance lies a complex interplay of forces. It was precisely the desire to improve such structures that led Dr. Dabrila to develop the idea of an innovative cross-stay cable bridge.
“This is a new type of bridge – only a few of them have been built in the world. Personally, I find them very aesthetically appealing, and they offer certain advantages,” says Dr. Dabrila. “But because there are so few of them, there's a lack of research and calculation methodologies. Even the engineers who designed these bridges admit in their papers that they lacked clear guidelines. My goal was to develop a methodology that would help designers save time and better understand how such a structure responds to loads.”
Experiments and Unexpected Discoveries
In addition to numerical and analytical analysis, the researcher also conducted physical experiments – a five-meter-long steel bridge model was specially built and tested for the study.
It was these practical experiments that led to one of the most interesting discoveries. “Typically, we expect the greatest deflections in a structure to occur at its center. But in the system we studied, the largest deflections appeared at the edges, near the supports. This is an unusual and important result that future designers will need to take into account,” explains the young PhD.
The journey to these findings required not only complex calculations but also creative problem-solving. Dr. Dabrila recalls with a smile how he faced an unexpected challenge when looking for someone to manufacture his unique model. “I reached out to structural steel manufacturers, but they found my model too small and unusually shaped. So I turned to metal furniture producers. When they saw the model, they said, ‘No problem at all!’ This shows that sometimes, the answers lie outside your own field,” he shares.
Advice for Future PhD Students: Routine, Rest, and Hobbies
When asked for advice for future PhD students, Dr. Dabrila emphasizes the importance of balancing academic and personal life. According to him, a dissertation shouldn't feel like a separate project—it should become part of a daily routine. At the same time, it’s crucial to find ways to “clear your head.”
“For me, sports and the Junior Officers Command Course (JKVM) helped a lot. Weekends spent not thinking about the dissertation, but instead guarding a sector or watching over a sleeping teammate, were a great mental reset. Sometimes after such breaks, the solutions come naturally—just like when learning to play a new instrument. After a break, you improve,” he says.
Another piece of advice he shares is to never hesitate to ask other researchers questions when something is unclear. Presenting your results at various conferences is also extremely valuable—other experts may offer questions or insights that are helpful for your research.
Equally important is documenting all calculations and their explanations as you go—don’t postpone writing. “If you delay the writing, it becomes difficult to recover your thoughts later. And there's a reason why doctoral studies last four years—if you plan your work wisely, it becomes easier to integrate different sections and complete the dissertation smoothly.”
Dr. Dabrila describes his PhD journey as a meaningful period. Participating in conferences in Lithuania and abroad helped him establish valuable contacts, learn from the work of other researchers, gain insights into how international universities organize research studies, and share his own experience.
After successfully defending his dissertation, the young scientist plans to continue his academic career at VILNIUS TECH. He already has new articles and future research ideas in mind.
The dissertation, prepared between 2020–2025, was supervised by Prof. Dr. Algirdas Juozapaitis.
Interested in PhD Studies at VILNIUS TECH?
Currently, additional applications for PhD studies are open at VILNIUS TECH.
Have questions?
Contact the VILNIUS TECH Doctoral School:
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Phone: +370 5 274 4956
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Email: doktor@vilniustech.lt
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Office: SRC 803, Saulėtekio al. 11, 10223 Vilnius
More information is available on the university’s website.
Press release by: Milda Mockūnaitė-Vitkienė, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University
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