The course aims at integrating the basic skills of the students with some fundamental aspects for the analysis and designs of structures, such as the structural safety, the fundamentals of the finite element method, the seismic behaviour of structures and the basic typologies of the foundations. Particular attention is focused on the evaluation of structural safety of existing constructions. The approach of capacity design is introduced in order to evaluate the early-stage design of structural element. The applications of the above principles are illustrated by analyzing large halls, high-rise structures, bridges, shells, domes.
The concepts introduced in the theoretical part are applied to real cases by using a commercial code for analysing an existing structure on which the student has to find the original structural designs, doing a structural investigation for determining the real dimensions of the structural elements and then evaluating the safety coefficients.

The class gives the students the possibility of acquiring knowledge and comprehension in the design and practical aspects of new and existing structures. Moreover, it will have a strongly applicative section where knowledge and comprehension will be applied to the production of a structural project.

Fundamentals of Statics and Mechanics of Structures, verification of steel and concrete structural members.

• Fundamentals of geotechnical engineering and systems of foundation. Other geotechnical structures (retaining walls and diaphragms); (2h)
• Elements of dynamics and seismic behaviour of structures; (10h)
• Criteria for seismic design of reinforced concrete structures. Failure case histories; (2h)
• Analysis of significant parts of the actual standards for the design of structures; (4h)
• Fundamentals of the finite element method. Monodimensional, bidimensional and tridimensional finite elements; (2h)
• Use of software for the design and assessment of structures; (8h)
• Assisted design: the students analyze their own case study with the support of the professor, carrying out the analysis of the sensitivity of the structural response depending on the input data (structural optimization) and developing their project till the realization of the executive drawings with the proposed software. (32h)

The class is divided into a part of teaching lessons and a part of application of the concepts where the students, divided into groups and under the professor’s supervision, will develop a check or a design of a building with a commercial software for structural design. Although the applicative part is developed by work groups, each student will give the final exam individually.

The class has presentation slides available to the students, pdf files, classnotes and manuals of the software to be used for the applicative part. Reference and specialized textbooks are:

Reference books

A. Carpinteri (1998) Dinamica delle Strutture. Pitagora Editrice Bologna.
A. Carpinteri (1997) Calcolo Automatico delle Strutture. Pitagora Editrice Bologna.
R. Lancellotta, J. Calavera (2003) Fondazioni. McGraw-Hill.
Norme Tecniche per le Costruzioni, D.M. 14/01/2008, e successive modificazioni ed integrazioni.

Specialized books

K.J. Bathe (1996) Finite Element Procedures. Prentice Hall.
J.E. Bowles (2001) Foundation Analysis and Design. McGraw Hill Higher Education.
A.K. Chopra (2007) Dynamics of Structures, Third Ed., Prentice Hall.

• exam and discussion of the project developed during the class


Notes

Frequenting the class and the application project classwork and revision is mandatory.