Department for Structures

The structural engineering subjects Building Structures, Bridge Construction and Reinforced Concrete Structures have been taught since the establishment of the Technical College in Zagreb in 1919. The last subject demonstrates the modernity of the then curriculum, which takes into account reinforced concrete as a new material. Over the following years, these subjects were gradually supplemented in accordance with the development of science and the needs of the economy. The subjects Iron (later Steel) Structures of Buildings were introduced, as well as Iron (later Steel), Wooden and Solid Bridges (1935), and Wooden Engineering Structures (1947). Since 1952, with the introduction of specializations, the study of structural engineering subjects has changed significantly. Third-year students of the structural engineering specialization take the subjects Wooden Bridges, Concrete Structures II and III, Steel Structures I and II, and Steel and Solid Bridges. Since 1957, a larger number of elective subjects have been introduced in the final years of study. The new structure introduced in 1962 introduced more flexible orientations, while narrower specializations were carried out in the postgraduate study, which is attended by a large number of students in the structural engineering field. A similar system, according to which some structural engineering subjects are mandatory and some are specialized for students in the field, is still in force today. The number of students enrolled in the postgraduate study dropped significantly in the early 1990s, but has been steadily increasing since then.

Among the significant teachers, a brief overview should be made of those who introduced innovations to structural engineering studies and significantly improved our construction practice. Some of our most important bridge designers worked at the Department of Structural Engineering of the Zagreb Faculty of Civil Engineering. The first among them, Prof. Eng. M. Čalogović, was the head of the Department of Bridges from its foundation in 1919 until the beginning of 1943. He was succeeded by Prof. R. Kušević, who as a strong personality and teacher of several subjects related to steel structures marked the development of the construction department at the faculty and the construction press. His successor, Prof. Kruno Tonković, marked our bridge construction with his work for more than forty years after the Second World War until the founding and restoration of the Croatian state. It is certainly not too bold from today's point of view to state that Prof. Dr. Kruno Tonković is our greatest bridge builder and certainly one of the greatest builders in our history. The first teacher who taught reinforced concrete structures, Eng. A. Kaiser, is responsible for the early promotion of this subject in our country. His successor, Eng. V. Juranović, marked the further development of these assemblies with his long-term work. His course was taken over by Prof. J. Molčanov. Professor M. Ivančić taught several subjects in the field of steel structures, with a very fruitful and successful design career. Among the professors who taught and also designed bridges, J. Eregu should certainly be mentioned.

Among the prominent figures of the Institute are several retired professors who are still actively involved in scientific work.