Tuned Liquid Dampers (TLDs) are dissipative devices whose distinguished features like low cost in installation and maintenance or their multidirectional and multifrequency application to new and already existing structures make them an attractive damping option. Their working principle is similar to that of a Tuned Mass Damper but in this case the relative movement comes from a fluid that provides with mass, damping and stiffness. Moreover, TLDs can mitigate both horizontal and vertical vibrations. All these make TLDs worth deeply studying. TLD utilization in civil vibration control arose in the 1980s. From early years, different improvements have been implemented to achieve a better performance. Some of these modifications include passive variations in the geometry or the fluid. The use of smart materials applied on TLDs has also been of great interest since the 1990s and comprehends different configurations in which magnetic fields are used to passively or semi-actively improve the TLD performance. A lack of review is detected in this field. For this reason, a state-of-the-art review is presented in this paper. Its aim is to help researchers find a thorough, up-to-date classification of the different possibilities, configurations, numerical evaluation, materials used and also found limitations and future development in the application of magnetic fields on TLDs.

The teaching of structural analysis is essential in the training of undergraduate students who will be qualified in structural calculations. The use of games in learning can motivate students and improve their performances in evaluations. To this end, H5P-based matching games have been adopted in Moodle for a structural analysis course as an optional assignment to train graphs of internal forces (GIFs). Although the students knew that participating in the games would positively impact their grades, they were not informed of the exact number of extra points they would receive based on their performances. The engagement, motivation and performance of the students were analyzed using various statistics. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the game in facilitating knowledge acquisition was evaluated by comparing the students’ performances in the games to their performances in the GIF exercises during face-to-face examinations. The study found that the students who participated in the games exhibited high levels of motivation and engagement. In addition, the results indicate that the participants had a moderately improved understanding of GIFs when taking the course examinations.

Tuned Liquid Dampers (TLDs) are dissipative devices that mitigate vibrations through the out-of-phase movement of a fluid, typically water, inside a container relative to a main structure. Water’s low density and viscosity have led to modifications to enhance their effectiveness. Fluid properties, such as density or viscosity, significantly impact their performance by altering mass and damping, respectively. When magnetorheological fluids are employed, magnetic fields can modify the fluid viscosity, affecting the damping. This study experimentally examines the effect of a magnetic field and ambient parameters on the viscosity of different low-cost, custom-prepared magnetic fluids. A tube filled with magnetic liquids into which diverse non-magnetic spheres are dropped was employed, considering on- and off-states of the magnetic field generated by a pair of Helmholtz coils. The impact on the fluid viscosity variation of different measured variables was statistically analyzed. It was found that in all cases, the variations in ambient temperature and relative humidity had no effect on the results. While the magnetic field had a large effect on the viscosity of the magnetic fluid, for the sunflower oil-based fluids, the spheres used or the concentration of iron filings had a greater effect on the viscosity than the presence of the magnetic field.

The structural behavior of tile vaults remains challenging to evaluate accurately through numerical models, due to their geometry, the heterogeneity of its mechanical properties, and its boundary conditions. This study presents an experimental investigation carried out as part of a teaching innovation project aimed at deepening the understanding of masonry behavior through hands-on construction and collapse testing. Scaled vaults were built using traditional methods, employing thin bricks and fast-setting gypsum, materials typically selected for their accessibility and compatibility with heritage-inspired craftsmanship. The models were incrementally loaded until failure, enabling direct observation of collapse mechanisms. Plastic limit analysis was used to estimate structural capacity, with a focus on verifying the compatibility conditions of hinge formation. The vaults were documented using photogrammetric reconstruction (Structure-from-Motion) to generate accurate 3D models, and the evolution of collapse mechanisms was analyzed through digital motion tracking of observed hinges. Experimental loading reached values up to 4 kN/m² without collapse, confirming that even thin-tile vaults exhibit considerable reserve capacity. While these values should be understood as conservative lower-bound estimates due to the workshop conditions, results also highlight the significant influence of construction imperfections and boundary conditions. This work reinforces the educational value of physical experimentation and offers empirical insights into tile masonry behavior that cannot be captured through purely digital or parametric models.