Human and Structure Dynamics
Welcome to Humans and Structures research group
Our research focuses on advancing understanding of performance of contemporary low-mass, low-damping and low-frequency civil engineering structures, their interaction with human occupants and consequences of this interaction for both humans and structures. Humans are intelligent and sensitive dynamic "systems" which receive multi-sensory inputs (e.g. visual, tactile, and audio) from the built environment. Depending on the nature and strength of these inputs and their interactions, structural occupants might thrive and prosper in the best case, or experience adverse impact on their comfort, wellbeing and productivity in the worst case. In each case, human behaviour will influence structural loading and consequently performance of the structure. We are pushing boundaries of understanding of performance of both humans and structures by utilising experimental and numerical approaches. Out ultimate aims are to develop predictive models for human loading, structural response and human comfort, update the design guidelines and contribute to more sustainable built environment that is fit for human use.
Our research expertise is especially strong in human and structure dynamics and human interaction with vibrations. We are expanding this into human multi-sensory interaction with built environment by utilising immersive technologies, and state-of-the-art experimental facilities for monitoring both humans and structures, including a super-lively, 20m long, footbridge structure.
If you are interested in joining us on this research mission, do get in touch. We are interested in establishing new collaborations and accepting new PhD students and postdoctoral researchers.
Our group
Prof. Stana ZivanovicLink opens in a new window
Dr Bintian LinLink opens in a new window
Dr Rajesh GovindanLink opens in a new window
Ms Nimmy AbrahamLink opens in a new window
Mr Huiqi Liang
Ms Lydia Lukalu
Recent research collaborators
Prof. Jose Luis Zapico ValleLink opens in a new window
Dr Genevieve WilliamsLink opens in a new window
Dr Vito RacicLink opens in a new window
Dr Colin CapraniLink opens in a new window
Dr Andre JesusLink opens in a new window
Research interests
- Digital humans
- Dynamic loading scenarios by humans
- Dynamics of lightweight structures
- Human multisensory interaction with civil engineering structures
- Human response to vibration
- Sustainability and vibration serviceability
- Uncertainty in human loading and structure's dynamics
- Vibration serviceability
- Immersive virtual reality in structural engineering
Selected research projects
- 2025-2026: Multisensory assessments of built environment through immersive technologies. Research Grants 2025 Round 1, funded by Royal Society.
- 2024-2026: Pedestrian's evaluation of structural vibration (SENSATION)Link opens in a new window. A H2020 MSCA PF fellowship, funded by UKRI under Horizon Europe Guarantee MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2022.
- 2020-2022: Developing advanced vibration performance assessment for new generation of lightweight pedestrian structures using motion platform and virtual reality environments (vPERFORM)Link opens in a new window. Funded by H2020 MSCA IF (HORIZON 2020).
- 2015-2019: Characterising dynamic performance of fibre reinforced polymer structures for resilience and sustainabilityLink opens in a new window. Funded by EPSRC.
Research snippets
- Modelling human walking gait in FE environment
for each snippet, we publish a picture or two with a corresponding statement about key research aspects (either methodology used, or results, or important questions you are attempting to answer)
- Adaptation of human's jumping action to vibrating structures
- Markerless tracking of human kinematics and ground reaction force
- Walking on wobbly bridges
Human and Structure Dynamics News
- Mar. 2025: Dr Bintian Lin was award a research grant entitled Multisensory assessments of built environment through immersive technologies, funded by Royal Society. Many congratulations.
- Mar. 2024: Nimmy Abraham successfully defended her PhD thesis entitled Dynamics of Rhythmic Jumping on Vertically Vibrating Platforms, subject to minor corrections. Well done Nimmy.
- Mar. 2024: Dr Rajesh Govindan have joined us as a Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellow on the SENSATION project. Welcome Rajesh.
- Dec. 2023: Assembly of a fibre-reinforced polymer composite test-bed footbridge structure is under way in the Westwood Campus.
- Nov. 2023: Dr Bintian Lin has joined the group as a Lecturer in Human-Structure Dynamics. Welcome Bintian.
Recent journal publications
Abraham, N.M., Zivanovic, S., Williams, G. (2025) Timing of human rhythmic jumping with vertical floor vibrations tends towards mechanically efficient solutionsLink opens in a new window. Scientific Reports, 15, 9020.
García-Diéguez, M., Zapico-Blanco, B., Živanović, Stana and Zapico-Valle, J. L. (2025) Bespoke footbridge for studying pedestrian-structure interaction with vertical vibrationLink opens in a new window. Journal of Bridge Engineering, 30 (1).
Abraham, N.M., Williams, G., Zivanovic, S. (2023) Impact of vertical vibrations on human rhythmic jumpingLink opens in a new window, Structures. 57, 105154.
Lin, B., Zhang, S., Zivanovic, S., Zhang, Q., Fan, F. (2023) Verification of damped bipedal inverted pendulum model against kinematic and kinetic data of human walking on rigid-level ground, Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, 200, 110561. [link to MSSPLink opens in a new window]Link opens in a new window
Lin, B., Zivanovic, S., Zhang, S., Zhang, Q., Fan, F. (2023) Evaluation of compliant walking locomotion models for civil engineering applications, Journal of Sound and Vibration, 561, 117815. [link to JSVLink opens in a new window]
Pamuncak, A., Zivanovic, S., Adha, A., Liu, J., Laory, I. (2023), Correlation-based damage detection method using convolutional neural network for civil infrastructure, Computers & Structures, 282, 107034. [link to C&SLink opens in a new window]
Jesus, A., Zivanovic, S. (2023) Modal testing with a pedestrian as a vibration exciterLink opens in a new window, Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, 189, 110082.
Lin, B., Zivanovic, S., Zhang, Q., Fan, F. (2023) Implementation of damped bipedal inverted pendulum model of pedestrian into FE environment for prediction of vertical structural vibration, Structures, 48, 523–532. [link to StructuresLink opens in a new window]
Peters, A.E., Racic, V., Zivanovic, S., Orr, J. (2022) Fourier series approximation of vertical walking force-time history through frequentist and Bayesian inferenceLink opens in a new window, Vibration, 5 (4).
Zivanovic, S., Lin, B., Dang, H.V., Zhang, S., Cosic, M., Caprani, C., Zhang, Q. (2022) Evaluation of inverted-pendulum-with-rigid-legs walking locomotion models for civil engineering applicationsLink opens in a new window, Buildings, 12 (8).
Wei, X., Zhang, J., Zivanovic, S., Liu, J., Russell, J, He, X. (2022) Dynamic properties of impact hammer operator and their influence on dynamics of lightweight structures, Journal of Sound and Vibration, 529, 116932. [link to JSVLink opens in a new window]
Group Facilities
- Warwick Footbridge
- Electrodynamic shaker and instrumented hammer
- Accelerometers
- Spectrum analyser
- Loadsols sensors
- Portable force plate
- Access to Gait Lab (motion capture system)