Petar Nikolov

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. Petar Nikolov is an Associate Professor at the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy (UACEG) in Sofia, Bulgaria, working within the Faculty of Transport Engineering, Department of Roads and Transport Facilities. Since 2024, he has served as Vice-Rector for International Cooperation and Integration at UACEG, and previously served as Head of the Department of Roads and Transport Facilities from 2020-2024. His academic career at UACEG spans over two decades, beginning as an Assistant in 2003 and advancing to Associate Professor in 2013.

Dr. Nikolov's educational background includes:

• Doctor of Science in "Building Structures" from UACEG, with dissertation on "Research in modeling for bridge analysis"
• Master's degree in "Research of Building Structures" from UACEG, focusing on seismic safety of viaducts
• Master of Engineering in "Industrial and Civil Engineering" with specialization in "Structures" from UACEG
• Construction Technician qualification from Construction College "Hristo Botev" in Sofia

Dr. Nikolov's research focuses on bridge engineering, with particular expertise in reinforced concrete bridges, integral bridges, seismic provision of bridges, and bridge modeling and analysis. His work addresses critical challenges in bridge design, construction, and maintenance, with emphasis on improving safety standards and developing practical engineering solutions for Bulgarian infrastructure. He has contributed significantly to the development of bridge design regulations in Bulgaria and has conducted extensive research on seismic resistance of existing bridges.

His publication record demonstrates consistent contributions to bridge engineering, with recent work focusing on three-dimensional modeling, integral abutments for seismic design, nonlinear analysis of concrete bridges, and practical solutions for bridge drainage and maintenance. His research shows a clear progression from theoretical modeling to practical implementation in bridge design standards.

Dr. Nikolov is a member of the Chamber of Engineers in Investment Design (KIIP) - Sofia Section "Structures".

As an academic leader, Dr. Nikolov has supervised numerous student projects and theses in bridge engineering. He has led significant research projects including "Research on reinforced concrete elements with wide compression zones" (2020-21) and "Experimental study of the behavior of elastomeric bearings type B" (2018-19). His practical engineering work includes design of bridge structures, strengthening of construction excavations, and inspection and testing of existing bridges.

Dr. Nikolov has also contributed to national standards development, participating in the creation of the National Application for seismic design of structures (Part 2: Bridges) and leading efforts to develop bridge design regulations in Bulgaria.