study programme

Applied Mechanics

Original title in Czech: Inženýrská mechanikaFaculty: FMEAbbreviation: D-IME-KAcad. year: 2024/2025

Type of study programme: Doctoral

Study programme code: P0715D270015

Degree awarded: Ph.D.

Language of instruction: Czech

Accreditation: 18.2.2020 - 18.2.2030

Mode of study

Combined study

Standard study length

4 years

Programme supervisor

Doctoral Board

Fields of education

Area Topic Share [%]
Mechanical Engineering, Technology and Materials Without thematic area 100

Study aims

The study programme in Applied Mechanics is focused on the preparation of highly qualified experts with the prerequisites for scientific work, mastering modern computational and experimental methods in the field of body mechanics, including specific areas of mechatronics and biomechanics. The aim of the study is to provide students with the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical experience in the field of mechanics corresponding to the topic of doctoral studies. To achieve the set goals and profile, students complete the subjects prescribed by their Individual Study Plan, which creates a theoretical basis for mastering the topic at the highest level. They then prove their practical mastery of the topic by passing the State Doctoral Examination and preparing and defending the Doctoral Dissertation.

Graduate profile

Graduates of the doctoral program Applied Mechanics have highly specialized professional knowledge and competencies, especially in modern computational and experimental methods in the field of applied mechanics, or mechatronics or biomechanics, and their use in research and development in technical and medical. At the same time, it has professional adaptability, which gives great chances for employment in research and development, as well as in the field of technical calculations and managerial positions. This is evidenced by graduates working not only in academia and private research, but also in small computer and software companies, including leadership and management positions in design, computing and development departments or sales offices of international companies. With the penetration of computer modelling and support into the field of medicine, the application of biomechanics can be expected not only in this interdisciplinary sphere of research and development, but also in newly emerging positions of computer support in hospitals and clinical workplaces.

Profession characteristics

The graduate of the doctoral programme in Applied Mechanics has highly specialized professional knowledge, but also professional adaptability, which gives great opportunities for employment in research and development, as well as in the field of technical calculations and managerial positions. This is evidenced by graduates working not only in academia and private research, but also in small computer and software companies, including leadership and management positions in design, computing and development departments or sales offices of international companies. With the penetration of computer modelling and support into the field of medicine, the application of biomechanics can be expected not only in this interdisciplinary sphere of research and development, but also in newly emerging positions of computer support in hospitals and clinical workplaces.

Fulfilment criteria

See applicable regulations, DEAN’S GUIDELINE Rules for the organization of studies at FME (supplement to BUT Study and Examination Rules)

Study plan creation

The rules and conditions of study programmes are determined by:
BUT STUDY AND EXAMINATION RULES
BUT STUDY PROGRAMME STANDARDS,
STUDY AND EXAMINATION RULES of Brno University of Technology (USING "ECTS"),
DEAN’S GUIDELINE Rules for the organization of studies at FME (supplement to BUT Study and Examination Rules)
DEAN´S GUIDELINE Rules of Procedure of Doctoral Board of FME Study Programmes
Students in doctoral programmes do not follow the credit system. The grades “Passed” and “Failed” are used to grade examinations, doctoral state examination is graded “Passed” or “Failed”.

Availability for the disabled

Brno University of Technology acknowledges the need for equal access to higher education. There is no direct or indirect discrimination during the admission procedure or the study period. Students with specific educational needs (learning disabilities, physical and sensory handicap, chronic somatic diseases, autism spectrum disorders, impaired communication abilities, mental illness) can find help and counselling at Lifelong Learning Institute of Brno University of Technology. This issue is dealt with in detail in Rector's Guideline No. 11/2017 "Applicants and Students with Specific Needs at BUT". Furthermore, in Rector's Guideline No 71/2017 "Accommodation and Social Scholarship“ students can find information on a system of social scholarships.

What degree programme types may have preceded

The doctoral study programme in Applied Mechanics is a continuation of the currently accredited follow-up master's study programme in Applied Mechanics and Biomechanics. However, it focuses more generally on graduates of subsequent master's degree programmes in various fields of mechanics and mechatronics, or mathematical, physical or materials engineering, the graduates of which are able to continue in the third stage of study and obtain the scientific degree of Ph.D. demonstrate the ability of scientific work.

Issued topics of Doctoral Study Program

  1. Adaptive control and state estimation of dynamic systems using local linear models

    The thesis will deal with research in the field of control and identification of nonlinear dynamic systems using methods based on the idea of local linear models (Lazy Learning, LWR, RFWR). The identificated inverse dynamic model will be used as a feedforward compensator in the structure of a composite regulator. The results of the research will be verified experimentally with real systems available in the Mechatronics laboratory (education models, automotive actuators, etc.) using the Matlab/Simulink computational environment and available hardware resources. Implementation in the form of an electronic control unit with a microcontroller is expected.

    Tutor: Grepl Robert, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

  2. Development and implementation of methodologies for testing 3D printed orthotic and prosthetic devices

    The dissertation focuses on the development and implementation of new testing methodologies in the field of orthotics and prosthetics. There are currently no test standards (ISO standards) for a large part of orthotic and prosthetic devices, although the optimization and verification of the safety of these devices is highly desirable. The goal of the work is to develop systematic testing methodologies for evaluating the mechanical properties of products, on the basis of which it would be possible to optimize the production and construction process. Correct setting of production processes and optimization of structural elements can increase the resistance of products to damage. According to the compiled methodologies, test equipment will be acquired using modern measuring and evaluation technologies. Tools should be verified by static, dynamic and cyclic tests. The work should focus mainly on testing ankle, knee and cranial orthoses, prosthetic beds and other components The research within the work will include the analysis of the load of individual aids, the research of current testing procedures, the identification of gaps in existing standardization and the design of innovative testing processes.

    Tutor: Návrat Tomáš, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

  3. Predictive maintenance for custom production machines

    Predictive maintenance combines the processing of large quantities of measured data with machine and plant process models to obtain accurate wear data for machine parts and potentially achieve significant economic savings. Currently, it is an intensively used, applied and researched topic of science and research. The topic of the thesis is related to a specific MPO project.

    Tutor: Grepl Robert, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

Course structure diagram with ECTS credits

1. year of study, winter semester
AbbreviationTitleL.Cr.Com.Compl.Hr. rangeGr.Op.
9ALMApplied Fracture Mechanicscs0RecommendedDrExP - 20yes
9MKPFEM in Engineering Computationscs0RecommendedDrExP - 20yes
9MZOComputer Methods of Image Processingcs, en0RecommendedDrExP - 20yes
9PAFAdvanced use of ANSYS FLUENTcs, en0RecommendedDrExP - 20yes
9VMMComputational Models of Non-linear Material Behaviourcs, en0RecommendedDrExP - 20yes
9MDMBasics of Discrete Mathematicscs, en0RecommendedDrExP - 20yes
1. year of study, summer semester
AbbreviationTitleL.Cr.Com.Compl.Hr. rangeGr.Op.
9AMKAnalytical Mechanics and Mechanics of Continuumcs, en0RecommendedDrExP - 20yes
9DRSDynamics of Rotor Systemscs, en0RecommendedDrExP - 20yes
9MBTMechanics of Biological Tissuescs, en0RecommendedDrExP - 20yes
9MEKMechanics of Compositescs0RecommendedDrExP - 20yes
9NMTNonlinear Mechanics and FEMcs, en0RecommendedDrExP - 20yes
9PLEDesign of Experimentcs, en0RecommendedDrExP - 20yes
9SKRThe Special Design of Industial Robots and Manipulatorscs, en0RecommendedDrExP - 20yes
9SPZProcess Equipment Constructioncs, en0RecommendedDrExP - 20yes
1. year of study, both semester
AbbreviationTitleL.Cr.Com.Compl.Hr. rangeGr.Op.
9AJAcademic English for Doctoral Studiesen0CompulsoryDrExCj - 60yes
9APHApplied Hydrodynamicscs, en0RecommendedDrExP - 20yes
9BIABioacousticscs, en0RecommendedDrExP - 20yes
9OPTExperimental and Theoretical Determination of Heat Transfer Boundary Conditionscs, en0RecommendedDrExP - 20yes
9ESZCooling of Electric Machines and Equipmentscs, en0RecommendedDrExP - 20yes
9MBOMathematical Modeling of Machine Mechanisms cs, en0RecommendedDrExP - 20yes
9MA1Mathematics Ics, en0RecommendedDrExP - 20yes
9MA2Mathematics IIcs, en0RecommendedDrExP - 20yes
9MOPMethodologies of Scientific Workcs0RecommendedDrExP - 20yes
9PPTMethods of Heat Transfer Solutioncs, en0RecommendedDrExP - 20yes
9IDSModelling and Control of Dynamic Systemscs, en0RecommendedDrExP - 20yes
9VAHVibrations and Noisecs, en0RecommendedDrExP - 20yes
9VMTComputational Modeling of the Turbulent Flowcs, en0RecommendedDrExP - 20yes