Structural mechanics · Uncertainty quantification
Associate Professor
Institute of Structural Mechanics
Faculty of Civil Engineering, Brno University of Technology
01 / Profile
I work on stochastic mechanics and uncertainty quantification, connecting probabilistic methods with practical structural analysis.
My research spans reliability and sensitivity analysis, semi-probabilistic design, polynomial chaos expansion and scientific machine learning. I develop methods and software that help engineers understand how uncertain inputs affect the performance of structural systems.
02 / Research
Probabilistic modelling and stochastic mechanics for representing uncertainty in mathematical models of physical systems.
Statistical, sensitivity and reliability analysis to identify influential parameters and assess structural safety.
Polynomial chaos expansion, surrogate modelling and scientific machine learning for efficient computational analysis.
Practical approaches for translating probabilistic insight into design and assessment of engineering structures.
Applications include concrete structures, prestressed girders and nonlinear structural analysis.
Combining physical knowledge, measurements and computational models to support robust engineering decisions.
“Uncertainties appear everywhere! When using a mathematical model, careful attention must be given to uncertainties in the model.”
Richard Feynman
“The ability to quantify uncertainty and numerical errors in large scale computations is the missing piece of the puzzle.”
Timothy J. Barth
04 / Selected research
H. Sharma, L. Novák, and M. Shields · Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering 453, issue 1, 1–15 (2026)
Q. Lu, H. Sharma, M. Shields, and L. Novák · Probabilistic Engineering Mechanics 85 (July), 1–13 (2026)
L. Novák, M. Valdebenito, and M. Faes · Reliability Engineering & System Safety 254, 110594 (2025)
L. Novák, H. Sharma, and M. D. Shields · Journal of Computational Physics 506, 112926 (2024)
H. Sharma, L. Novák, and M. Shields · Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering 431, 117314 (2024)
L. Novák, M. D. Shields, V. Sadílek, and M. Vořechovský · Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing 204, 110728 (2023)
L. Novák · Computers & Structures 267, 106808 (2022)
05 / Research projects
Czech Science Foundation; project No. 26-24969L.
Inter-Excellence II Inter-Action CZ-USA, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic; project No. LUAUS24260.
Czech Science Foundation; project No. 24-10892S.
DE-CZ mobility project, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic; project No. 8J24DE002.
AKTION AT-CZ, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic; project No. 93p8.
Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic and co-financed by the EU; project No. CZ.02.01.01/00/23_020/0008487.
Czech Science Foundation; project No. 24-11845S.
Czech Science Foundation; project No. 22-00774S.
Information about current research projects is maintained in the official university profile.
Projects at BUT06 / Software
Polynomial chaos expansion for surrogate modelling and uncertainty quantification, with theoretical background and engineering applications.
Explore PCE-UQBayesian updating of probabilistic models from measurements, with applications to uncertainty quantification and damage identification.
Explore BayesianUQProbabilistic modelling from statistical moments, including distribution estimation, design quantiles and statistical sampling.
Explore GramCharlierSemi-probabilistic methods for estimating structural resistance variability and comparing design values under safety requirements.
Explore SEMIPStructural engineering software developed with collaborators at the Institute of Structural Mechanics.
Explore SEANA software resource from the structural mechanics team.
Explore IO-SUPPORT07 / Academic work
Courses at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Brno University of Technology.
Pravděpodobnostní pojetí návrhu konstrukcí, metody analýzy spolehlivosti a praktické aplikace ve stavebnictví.
Course detailsNapětí, deformace, přetvoření a dimenzování konstrukcí.
Course details08 / Research team
We are a research team focused on uncertainty quantification, stochastic modelling, reliability analysis, and scientific machine learning. We develop computational methods and practical tools that combine mathematical models, data, and physical knowledge to better understand and predict engineering systems.
Students interested in thesis projects or doctoral studies in these areas are welcome to get in touch.
