Published on: 2026-10-01
Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –
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Alyona Vedernikova
Senior Lecturer of the Department of Information Technology and Mathematical Modeling at Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering Alena Vedernikova defended a dissertation for the degree of Candidate of Technical Sciences. The work of concrete-filled steel tube structures in ultimate and beyond ultimate states was investigated, and an engineering method for determining their load-bearing capacity was developed.
Tubular concrete structures are pipes filled with concrete. They are most often used as columns in high-rise and multi-story buildings. According to Alena Vedernikova, such structures combine cost-effectiveness, fire resistance, and uniform stability, and modern technologies significantly speed up their construction compared to reinforced concrete structures. In addition to buildings, tubular concrete is used in the construction of bridges, television towers, and power line supports.
The relevance of the research is partly related to the need to assess the behavior of structures after reaching ultimate states.
In particular, recommendations for determining the ultimate states of tubular concrete structures, which are necessary when calculating buildings and structures for stability against progressive collapse, are absent in current regulatory documents. At the same time, determining the residual load-bearing capacity of elements after loss of strength and stability is an important part of such calculations.
One of the main outcomes of the work was an engineering method for calculating pipe concrete structures in ultimate and beyond ultimate states. It allows determining the load-bearing capacity of the structure at various stages of deformation. The distinctive feature of the proposed approach is the use of a numerical-analytical method, which enables obtaining a quick calculation result without conducting additional tests.
The developed methodology can be used in computational systems as an additional tool for verifying results, selecting the cross-section, and its optimization. This allows for prompt assessment of the residual bearing capacity of pipe concrete structures.
One of the difficulties during the research was finding data to compare the results of the developed methodology with numerical modeling of fiber-reinforced concrete in specialized software complexes using the finite element method. An internship at a specialized organization engaged in such calculations helped solve this problem.
“The most important feeling after the defense is that a very significant stage in life has been completed and there is a sense that you can accomplish a lot. Preparing and defending a dissertation is a complex, multi-stage process—interesting, captivating, requiring full dedication and involvement, organization, and the ability to withstand nervous tension,” shared Alyona Vedernikova.
The study opens up opportunities for further work with the results obtained for the extreme stages of deformation of pipe concrete structures. In 2026, Alena Vedernikova also published an article on this topic in the “Privolzhsky Scientific Journal.”
Separately, the researcher notes the role of her academic advisor – the professor Grigory Ivanovich Bely. According to her, when working on a dissertation, it is especially important to have a research plan, maintain communication with the academic advisor, and regularly report on the work done.
“I consider it important that my scientific advisor, Professor Grigory Ivanovich Bely, always finds time for graduate students, and I am very grateful to him for his mentorship,” said Alena Vedernikova.
The news is published based on the execution results of the SPbGASU 2026 grant.
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