Are you ready for a challenge that will truly test your engineering skills?
As part of the 4th Croatian Conference on Earthquake Engineering (4CroCEE), we invite Master's and PhD students from universities around the world to participate in the 4CroCEE Shaking Table Challenge, an international competition that combines structural design, numerical modelling, experimental testing, innovation, and teamwork.
Participants will design, analyse, build, and test structural models made of balsa wood and subjected to simulated earthquake loading on a small shake table platform.
Design. Model. Test. Survive.
The challenge offers a unique opportunity to bridge theory and practice by combining:
- Structural design
- Numerical modelling and seismic analysis
- Experimental testing
- Teamwork and problem-solving
- International collaboration and networking
Teams will develop a structural solution according to the competition guidelines, prepare the corresponding numerical model, predict its behaviour, and finally test the physical model under multiple earthquake intensity levels.
What awaits you?
🏗️ Structural Design Challenge
📊 Numerical Modelling and Seismic Analysis
🌍 International Student Competition
⚡ Real-Time Shaking Table Testing
🤝 Networking with Leading Earthquake Engineering Experts
🏆 Awards for the Best-Performing Teams
Expression of Interest
To help us plan the competition, universities and student teams are invited to submit a non-binding Expression of Interest.
By expressing your interest, you will:
- receive early updates and announcements,
- gain access to preliminary competition information,
- receive the official Competition Guidelines upon publication,
- be notified of registration procedures and important deadlines.
Submitting an Expression of Interest does not commit your team to participate and is not considered an official competition registration.
📅 Expression of Interest deadline: 1 October 2026
Who can participate?
The competition is open to university teams from around the world.
Each team may include up to 4 students, comprising Master's students, PhD students, or a combination of both, from the following disciplines:
- Structural Engineering
- Earthquake Engineering
- Computational Modelling
- Civil Engineering and related disciplines
Important dates
📖 Competition Guidelines
Available from mid-August until the Expression of Interest deadline (1 October 2026).
Competition Guidelines available to teams that submit an Expression of Interest.
📝 Expression of Interest Deadline
1 October 2026
📐 Submission of Structural Drawings and Numerical Models
20 October 2026
🏗️ Model Construction, Shaking Table Testing and Final Competition
22–25 March 2027 (location: the University of Rijeka, Faculty of Civil Engineering)
4th Croatian Conference on Earthquake Engineering (4CroCEE), Opatija, Croatia
Why participate?
The 4CroCEE Shaking Table Challenge is more than a competition.
It is an opportunity to:
- Apply your engineering knowledge to a real-world problem
- Compete with students from leading universities
- Gain hands-on experience with experimental earthquake engineering
- Meet researchers and professionals from around the world
- Showcase your creativity, technical skills, and innovation
Expect teamwork, creative problem-solving, engineering excellence — and perhaps a few collapses along the way.
