The Engineering Research Center (ERC) is administered by the College of Engineering. Its aim is to conduct basic and applied research on economic and technological problems that are relevant to the industrial development of Armenia and its region. It brings together AUA visiting faculty, local scientists and engineers, and AUA students to collaborate on projects that are generated internally or funded by external sponsors. Qualified students are employed as research assistants and gain valuable experience working alongside experts on projects related to their fields of study. In the process, visiting faculty, local scientists and engineers, and students develop professional bonds that often permeate their future careers outside the University. A general requirement for a student to be employed as research assistant is a cumulative grade point average equal to, or greater than, 3.3.

The Center operates a number of research facilities. A computer lab is furnished with fully networked workstations under Windows and Unix operating systems and the necessary peripherals. The ERC Lab includes an earthquake simulation shake table with a one-ton capacity, a programmable multi-axis controller (PMAC) for training in computer-aided manufacturing and rapid prototyping, and a PMAC-controlled milling machine. A solar monitoring station is installed on the roof of the AUA building, which continuously collects solar radiation data since June 1995. Two strong-motion seismographs are installed in the basement and roof levels of the AUA building to register any seismic activity exceeding a preset level.

One of the ERC's main research directions is alternative energy and its applications in private/urban uses. The center has performed several projects including those of international importance in the following areas: monitoring of solar radiation, photovoltaic conversion, water heating systems, energy efficient air conditioning and others. One of the major projects is the international demonstration project related to the implementation of a cooling system based on solar energy carried out with participation of Portuguese, German, and Russian colleagues.

The other main direction of research is in the area of earthquake engineering, mostly dedicated to seismic (base and roof) isolation of buildings and structures. The activities include: development of structural concepts of seismic isolation and earthquake response analysis of buildings using SAP2000, LIRA 9.0 and other computer programs; assessment of the seismic risk of destruction of existing buildings using GIS; seismic evaluation of existing buildings; development of Guidelines for retrofitting and construction of buildings using seismic isolation as most reliable modern advanced anti-seismic technology; development of design drawings (using AutoCAD and other computer programs) for retrofitting of structures and for construction of new buildings; experimental and analytical studies on the behavior of laminated rubber bearings (isolators), of reinforced concrete structures, on the different methods of strengthening of existing structures (R/C or steel jacketing, Fiber Reinforced Polymers, etc.); training of different groups of specialists involved in the construction industry in RA; organization of international conferences, seminars and workshops.

The Center has successfully completed a number of projects dealing with seismic response of structures, methods for isolation of buildings from the effects of strong ground motion, reliability of tunneling through jointed rock, theoretical mechanics studies on wave propagation and behavior of inhomogeneous bodies, the economics of small-scale alternative energy sources, and design of a laser scanner for monitoring defects of solar cells.

The Center has extended its scope to provide platforms for conducting research in areas such as e-business technologies and software engineering issues.

Earthquake Engineering | Industrial Engineering | Solar Energy