The main objective of this course is to develop, in the Building Engineering student, the knowledge and ability to analyze different structural typologies, that are frequently encountered in the historical heritage, and that can also be successfully employed in new constructions, with the aid of new materials and technologies for green building applications. The focus will be in particular on structures basing their load carrying capacity on their shape, such as arcs, membranes, and shells with single and double curvatures. The analysis of additional structural typologies is also included, such as beam and frame systems. To complete the educational purpose, the course also covers the basics of experimental testing and characterization of structures, in such a way to offer a 360-degree vision on the analysis of the structural behavior. Laboratory classes are organized to allow direct experience of testing and characterization issues, by using simple structural models.

The student should learn how to discuss, in a rational and quantitative way, the points of strength and the points of weakness of the structural solutions presented, and the factors that may cause a discrepancy between the expected theoretical behavior and the experimental performance of a structure.

From the previous course of Structural Mechanics, the student should know how to analyze the strain and stress field in a 3D continuum and in the Saint Venant solid. The student should also know the basic concepts of stability of the elastic equilibrium.

STRUCTURAL TYPOLOGIES (20h): Brief review of graphical statics and construction history; theory and examples of arch constructions; vaulted systems: simple and compound vaults (barrel, pavilion, cross, dome vaults); beam and frame systems. EXERCISES (10h): Examples of calculation of the stress and strain state in structural elements. EXPERIMENTAL TESTING AND CHARACTERIZATION OF SIMPLE STRUCTURAL MODELS (30h): general introduction and lab classes on beam, frame, arch, and plate models under different constraints; non-destructive testing via ultrasonic and rebound hammer testing methods; material characterization according to European standards.

The course is divided into classroom lessons and laboratory classes. Classroom lessons cover the part of the program related to the analysis of the mechanical behavior of different types of structures and are complemented by exercises. The laboratory classes cover the part of the program related to the characterization of materials and structural elements and are conducted by dividing the students into working groups. The preparation of reports on the laboratory activities is required for the purpose of achieving the expected practical skills.

A. Carpinteri: Structural Mechanics Fundamentals, CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group, 2014. Additional reading materials, data, and templates will be made available through the Teaching Portal.

Modalità di esame: Prova orale obbligatoria; Elaborato scritto prodotto in gruppo;

Exam: Compulsory oral exam; Group essay;

... The exam consists of two mandatory parts, as described below. 1. GROUP ESSAY. The laboratory classes are assessed through the related reports, which must be structured as a written group essay, in accordance with a template provided by the teacher, and must be delivered at least one week before the oral exam. The teacher analyzes the reports and proposes a grade on two levels (sufficient / insufficient), which does not contribute to the definition of the final grade. The achievement of the sufficiency level is only a necessary condition to access the oral exam. 2. ORAL EXAM. The learning outcomes and the degree of autonomy and maturity of the student in critically discussing the course topics are assessed through an oral test, during which the examiners ask the student at least two questions, i.e., one (or more) about the part of the syllabus related to the structural typologies, and one (or more) about the part of the syllabus related to the experimental testing and characterization. Depending on the question asked, the student is free to write notes, schemes, and simple calculations to facilitate discussion. At the end, the examiners discuss privately the outcomes of the oral test and propose a grade up to 30 cum laude, which averages their judgements on the learning outcomes achieved by the student. The final grade is given by the individual grade out of thirty obtained in the oral exam.

Gli studenti e le studentesse con disabilità o con Disturbi Specifici di Apprendimento (DSA), oltre alla segnalazione tramite procedura informatizzata, sono invitati a comunicare anche direttamente al/la docente titolare dell'insegnamento, con un preavviso non inferiore ad una settimana dall'avvio della sessione d'esame, gli strumenti compensativi concordati con l'Unità Special Needs, al fine di permettere al/la docente la declinazione più idonea in riferimento alla specifica tipologia di esame.