Mustafa Gul, PhD

Assistant Professor, Structural Engineering

Office: 3-143 Markin/CNRL Natural Resources Engineering Facility
Phone: 780 492 3002
Email: mustafa.gul@ualberta.ca

Research Interests

Dr. Gül’s research interests mainly lie in the area of Civil Infrastructure Systems (CIS) for improving their performance by means of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM). SHM is a highly interdisciplinary research area integrating different cutting edge technologies. It may be employed to track and evaluate the condition of the aerospace, mechanical and civil structures during regular operation as well as after extreme events. In civil engineering, SHM systems can be implemented to different CIS, such as bridges, buildings, power plants and pipelines, to improve their safety and reliability as well as to optimize the management operations. SHM systems are considered as one of the critical components of future’s sustainable smart CIS.

SHM involves many different components including experimental testing, acquisition, storing and managing of the experimental data, data analysis, digital signal processing, structural dynamics, system identification, feature extraction, modeling and simulation, and statistical analysis. Working on these different subjects, Dr. Gül gained extensive experience in both analytical and experimental interdisciplinary research areas that are essential ingredients in addressing a wide range of current and future civil and structural engineering questions. He developed different data analysis methods for damage detection in the context of SHM; programmed and implemented these methods to solve different problems; and conducted several small and large scale laboratory and real life experiments. Dr. Gül’s research interests include:

  • Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) and Novel Technologies for Sustainable Smart CIS
  • Structural Dynamics, Structural System Identification, Damage Detection
  • Analytical and Experimental Modal Analysis, Ambient Vibration Analysis
  • Finite Element Analysis, Digital Signal and Image Processing, Statistical Pattern Recognition

Education

  • Doctor of Philosophy, Civil Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, 2009
  • Master of Science, Electrical Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, 2011
  • Master of Science, Civil Engineering, Boğaziçi University, Istanbul, Turkey, 2004
  • Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering, Boğaziçi University, Istanbul, Turkey, 2002

Professional Experience


  • Assistant Professor, (September 2011–Present), Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Alberta
  • Postdoctoral Associate (August 2009–August 2011), Dept. of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering, University of Central Florida
  • Graduate Research Assistant (August 2004–August 2009), Dept. of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering, University of Central Florida

Journal Publications


  1. Gul, M. and Catbas, F. N. (2011) “Structural Health Monitoring and Damage Assessment using a Novel Time Series Analysis Methodology with Sensor Clustering”, Journal of Sound and Vibration, Elsevier, Vol. 330, No. 6, pp. 1196-1210.
  2. Gul, M. and Catbas, F. N. (2009) “Statistical Pattern Recognition using Time Series Modeling for Structural Health Monitoring: Theory and Experimental Verifications”, Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, Elsevier, Vol. 23, No. 7, pp. 2192-2204.
  3. Gul, M. and Catbas, F. N. (2008) “Ambient Vibration Data Analysis for Structural Identification and Global Condition Assessment”, Journal of Engineering Mechanics, ASCE, Vol. 134, No. 8, pp. 650-662.
  4. Catbas, F. N., Gul, M. and Burkett, J. (2008) “Conceptual Damage-Sensitive Features for Structural Health Monitoring: Laboratory and Field Demonstrations”, Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, Elsevier, Vol. 22, No. 7, pp. 1650-1669.
  5. Catbas, F. N., Gul, M. and Burkett, J. (2008) “Damage Assessment Using Flexibility and Flexibility-based Curvature for Structural Health Monitoring”, Smart Materials and Structures, Vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 015024.
  6. Gul, M. and Catbas, F. N. (2011) “Damage Assessment with Ambient Vibration Data using a Novel Time Series Analysis Methodology”, Journal of Structural Engineering, ASCE (In Press).
  7. Catbas, F. N., Gokce, H. B., Gul, M. and Frangopol, D. M. (2011) “Movable Bridges: Condition, Modeling and Damage Simulations” ICE: Bridge Engineering (In Press).
  8. Catbas, F. N., Gokce, H. B. and Gul, M. (2011) “A Practical Approach for Estimating Distribution Factor for Load Rating: Demonstration on Reinforced Concrete T-Beam Bridges”, Journal of Bridge Engineering, ASCE (Accepted).
  9. Catbas, F. N., Zaurin, R., Gul, M. and Gokce H. B. (2011) “Sensor Networks, Computer Imaging and Unit Influence Lines for Structural Health Monitoring: A Case Study for Bridge Load Rating”, Journal of Bridge Engineering, ASCE (Accepted).
  10. Catbas, F. N., Gul, M. and Gokce H. B. (2011) “Structural Health Monitoring of Movable Bridges: Issues and Applications”, Journal of Bridge Engineering, ASCE (Under Review).
  11. Gokce H. B., Catbas, F. N., Gul, M. and Frangopol, D. M. (2011) “Structural Identification for Performance Prediction by Considering Uncertainties through a Family of Models”, Journal of Structural Engineering, ASCE (Under Review).
  12. Gokce H. B., Gul, M. and Catbas, F. N. (2011) “Implementation of Structural Health Monitoring for Bridges”, Proceedings of the Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting and Transportation Research Record (Under Review)

Selected Proceedings and Presentations


  1. Guldiken, R. O, Onen, O, Gul, M. and Catbas, F. N. (2011) “A Structural Health Monitoring System with Ultrasonic MEMS Transducers”, SPIE Smart Structures/NDE 2011 (to appear).
  2. Terrell, T., Gul, M. and Catbas, F. N. (2011), “Structural Health Monitoring of a Bridge Model Using ARX Models”, Proceedings of the 29th International Modal Analysis Conference, Jan. 31-Feb 3, Jacksonville, FL.
  3. Sazak, H. O., Catbas, F. N. and Gul, M. (2011), “Structural Health Monitoring and Evaluating Structural Performance of a Stadium”, Proceedings of the 29th International Modal Analysis Conference, Jan. 31-Feb 3, Jacksonville, FL.
  4. Guldiken, R. O, Onen, O, Davis. L. O., Gul, M. and Catbas, F. N. (2010) “A Non-Destructive Ultrasonic MEMS Structural Health Monitoring System”, 2010 Engineering Mechanics Institute (EMI) Conference, Aug. 8-11, Los Angeles, CA.
  5. Catbas, F. N., Gul, M., Gokce, H. B., Dumlupinar, T. and Zaurin, R., (2010) “Use of Statistical Analysis, Computer Vision and Reliability for Structural Health Monitoring”, ASCE Structures Congress ‘10, May 12-15, Orlando, FL.
  6. Catbas, F. N., Zaurin, R., Gul, M., Sardinas, A. O., Dumlupinar, T., Gokce, H. B. and Terrell, T. (2010) "Heavy Movable Structure Health Monitoring: A Case Study with a Movable Bridge in Florida", ASCE Structures Congress ‘10, May 12-15, Orlando, FL
  7. Gul, M. and Catbas, F. N. (2010), “Damage Detection with Ambient Vibration Data Using Time Series Modeling”, Proceedings of the 28th International Modal Analysis Conference, Feb. 1-4, Jacksonville, FL.
  8. Catbas, F. N., Gul, M., Sazak, H. O. (2010), “Dynamic Testing and Analysis of a Football Stadium”, Proceedings of the 28th International Modal Analysis Conference, Feb. 1-4, Jacksonville, FL.
  9. Gul, M. and Catbas, F. N. (2009) “A Novel Time Series Analysis Methodology for Damage Assessment”, The Fifth International Workshop on Advanced Smart Materials and Smart Structures Technology, July30-Aug 1, Boston, MA.
  10. Catbas, F. N., Gul, M., Zaurin, R., Terrel, T., Dere, Y., Ansley, M., Frangopol, D. M. and Grimmelsman, K. (2009) "Structural Health Monitoring for the Safety of Bridges: Fundamental, Application and Organizational Considerations", ASCE Structures Congress ‘09, April 30-May 2, Austin, TX.
  11. Catbas, F. N. and Gul, M. (2009), “Dynamic Response Monitoring and Correlation to Crowd Movement at a Football Stadium”, Proceedings of the 27th International Modal Analysis Conference, Feb. 9-12, Orlando, FL.
  12. Gul, M. and Catbas, F. N. (2009), “A Modified Time Series Analysis for Identification, Localization, and Quantification of Damage”, Proceedings of the 27th International Modal Analysis Conference, Feb. 9-12, Orlando, FL.
  13. Catbas, F. N., Gokce, H. B., Gul, M. (2009) "A Novel Approach to Analyze Live Load Distribution Factors" Transportation Research Board, TRB, Washington DC, Jan 11-15 (Presentation).
  14. Gul, M. and Catbas, F. N. (2008), “Modal flexibility and curvature for damage assessment: Laboratory demonstrations”, Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Bridge Maintenance, Safety, and Management, July 13-17, Seoul, Korea.
  15. Catbas, F. N., Gul, M., Zaurin, R., Gokce, H. B., Maier, D., Terrell, T. (2008), “Structural Health Monitoring for Life Cycle Management of Bridges”, International Association for Life-Cycle Civil Engineering, June 11-14, Varenna, Lake Como, Italy.
  16. Gul, M. and Catbas, F.N. (2008), “A New Methodology for Identification, Localization and Quantification of Damage by Using Time Series Modeling”, Proceedings of the 26th International Modal Analysis Conference, Feb. 4-7, Orlando, FL.
  17. Gul, M. and Catbas, F.N. (2007) “Identification of Structural Changes by Using Statistical Pattern Recognition”, Proceedings of the 6th International Workshop on Structural Health Monitoring, Sept. 11-13, Stanford, CA.
  18. Caicedo, J.M., Catbas, F.N., Gul, M., Zaurin, R., (2007), “Phase I of the Benchmark Problem for Bridge Health Monitoring: Numerical Data”, Proceedings of the 18th Engineering Mechanics Division Conference of the ASCE, June 3-6, 2007, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA.
  19. Gul, M. Catbas, F.N. and Georgiopoulos, M. (2007) “Application of Pattern Recognition Techniques to Identify Structural Change in a Laboratory Specimen” Proceedings of SPIE, Smart Structures and Materials/NDE, March 18-22, San Diego, CA.
  20. Francoforte, K., Gul, M. and Catbas, F.N. (2007), “Parameter Estimation Using Sensor Fusion and Model Updating”, Proceedings of the 25th International Modal Analysis Conference, Feb. 19-22, Orlando, FL.
  21. Caicedo, J.M., Catbas, F.N., Gul, M., Zaurin, R. and Dyke, S.J. (2006), “Benchmark Problem for Bridge Health Monitoring: Definition Paper” Proceedings of the World Conference on Structural Control and Monitoring, 11-13 July, San Diego, CA.
  22. Gul, M. and Catbas, F.N. (2006) “Parameter Estimation of a Variable Mass and Stiffness System Using Complex Mode Indicator Function”, Proceedings of the 24th International Modal Analysis Conference, Jan.30-Feb.2., St. Louis, MO.
  23. Gul, M. and Catbas, F.N. (2005) “Dynamic Testing and Parameter Identification of a Cantilever Type, Variable Length Structure”, Proceedings of International Workshop on Smart Materials and Structures, Cansmart 2005, Oct. 13-14, Toronto, Canada, pp.113-121.
  24. Catbas, F. N., Gul, M., Burkett, J., and Susoy, M. (2005) “Investigation of System Identification Methods for Structural Health Monitoring: Studies on a Physical Grid Model”, Proceedings of the 5th International Workshop on Structural Health Monitoring, Sept. 11-13, Stanford, CA.
  25. Gul, M. and Catbas, F. N. (2005) “Structural System Identification: Evaluation of Two Methods and Example Applications”, Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Structural Stability and Dynamics, Jan. 19-22, Kissimmee, FL.
  26. Gul, M. and Catbas, F. N. (2005) “Evaluation of a System Identification Method for Structural Health Monitoring: Theory and Examples”, Proceedings of the 23rd International Modal Analysis Conference, Jan.31-Feb.3, Orlando, FL.