Research as an Engineering Tool

Research, in our practice, is not pursued for its own sake or measured by publication volume. It exists because codes idealize behavior, because routine assumptions can fail, and because meaningful engineering solutions require understanding that cannot be obtained from textbooks or software manuals alone.

Our research is instrumental. It addresses questions that arise in real projects; questions concerning structural response under conditions not explicitly covered by standard provisions, the validity of common modeling assumptions, and methods for making defensible decisions when uncertainty is high or not measurable.

Innovation emerges when established approaches prove insufficient. The work presented here reflects sustained research activity across multiple areas of structural engineering, developed over years of academic practice and informed by international professional experience.

Research Areas & Contributions

A major focus of our research concerns the seismic performance and nonlinear behavior of reinforced concrete and steel structures. Our work addresses analytical modeling and response interpretation within the framework of performance-based earthquake engineering, with particular attention to nonlinear response mechanisms, deformation capacity, torsional effects, and system-level behavior. These studies are motivated by practical assessment and retrofit problems, where structural performance is governed by mechanisms that are not adequately captured by simplified or prescriptive approaches.

Complementing this work, we have conducted extensive research in structural health monitoring and system identification, particularly vibration-based approaches applicable to existing structures with limited instrumentation or incomplete historic data. Our studies focus on extracting meaningful information from ambient or operational response measurements, evaluating the reliability of identified modal properties, and developing damage detection strategies that remain applicable under real-world constraints such as measurement noise, uncertainty, and lack of baseline data.

Our research also involves the critical interpretation of design codes, standards, and guidelines as applied to real structures. Rather than treating codes as research subjects in themselves, we examine their assumptions, idealizations, and limits of applicability when used for seismic evaluation, nonlinear analysis, and retrofit design. This work is driven by the need to understand how codified procedures interact with actual structural behavior, and where engineering judgment becomes essential beyond prescriptive provisions.

In recent years, our work has expanded into vision-based measurement techniques and non-contact sensing for structural dynamics. Building upon classical vibration theory and signal processing principles, we have developed novel methodologies that combine phase-based optical flow, singular value decomposition, and advanced filtering strategies to extract displacement, acceleration, and mode shape information from video data. These approaches aim to overcome key challenges such as camera motion, measurement noise, low-amplitude vibrations, and complex visual backgrounds, offering a scalable and cost-effective alternative to traditional sensor-based systems.

Overall, our research philosophy is characterized by a balance between theoretical rigor, methodological innovation, and engineering practicality, with the goal of advancing reliable structural assessment techniques that are both scientifically sound and applicable to real structures.

Publications and Academic Record

The founding members of the firm have contributed to peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings, and academic studies over the course of their academic and professional careers. Selected publications, citation records, and ongoing academic activity can be accessed through the individual academic profiles of the founding partners:

Google Scholar profiles

https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=tr&user=bz8gHQIAAAAJ

https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=tr&user=6y-Yl3AAAAAJ