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// Accademic year 2025/2026

Mechanics of solids and structures

@degree structural analysis mechanics of materials equilibrium & stability

The Course is the second of the sequence of structural teachings relating to the Structural Analysis and Design. The main objective is to stimulate the student to develop the architectural design, since the early stage of its conception, even in its structural components. The course also aims at providing the technical language and the contents the student can use when preparing the architectural design. The Course is still a basic Course as it completes the training on the General Principles and Methods of Structural Mechanics. At the same time it provides the necessary operational tools to easily tackle the structural design of simple architectures or to perform simple structural checks. The student will acquire the basic knowledge of: The general methods to solve statically undetermined structures Strain and stress state of a three-dimensional continuum The fundamentals of the Theory of Linear Elasticity referred to a homogeneous and isotropic continuum The general principles of Mechanics and the fundamental theorems of Structural Mechanics The elastic equilibrium of a one-dimensional, linear elastic, homogeneous and isotropic solid (beam) Meaning and purpose of the strength criteria and their diversification according to the type of material. Eulerian instability of beams under axial load. The main skills (i.e. the ability to apply the acquired knowledge), that the student must develop, concern study and control of the stress and strain static behavior of beams and frames, with particular reference to those made with steel and and as starting point for masonry structures. In detail, the student will be able to : Determine displacement and rotation functions in a linear beam under whatsoever applied loads and constraint conditions Solve statically undetermined structures Check both strength and strain in elementary structures Check the resistance of structural elements made with no tension materials and subject to eccentric axial loads. Check the possible instability of slender, axially loaded structural elements and their strength under the applied loads.

Mechanical models for design

@degree structural analysis mechanics of materials equilibrium & stability

The Course serves as the first introduction to the Mechanics of Materials and Structures. Its main objective is to provide the mathematical and physical tools, along with the fundamental mechanical models, needed for the correct design of artefacts and prototypes for industry — ensuring that requirements of strength, stability and functionality are met simultaneously. Starting from the basic principles of physics and mathematics — including vector algebra, centroids and moments of inertia — the course progressively builds up to the study of structural elements under load. Students will develop a solid understanding of static equilibrium, constraint reactions, and the analysis of internal forces in beams and frames, including normal force, shear force and bending moment diagrams. The course then moves into the core topics of the Mechanics of Materials, examining the stress and strain state of structural elements subjected to various loading conditions such as axial force, bending, shear and torsion. Particular attention is given to strength criteria and their application to real design problems, providing the student with the operational tools necessary to perform basic structural checks on simple mechanical components and structural elements.

Conceptual design of structures in architecture

@degree structural Systems structural concepts integrated architecture-structure design

The architectural project cannot be developed without designing, at the same time, the carrying structural systems of elements. Such systems have the task to guarantee the sufficient safety level with respect to the actions exerting on the building during its life. First task of the designer is to recognize what a “structure” is. Schodek and Berthold [1] provide a simple definition: a device for channeling loads that result from the use or presence of the building in relation to the ground. Using the complex and exacting style of a dictionary editor, a structure can be defined as a physical entity having a unitary character that can be conceived of as an organization of positioned constituent elements in space in which the character of the whole dominates the interrelationship of the parts. It is thus important that the structure is conceived as a whole and that is correctly integrated in the architecture. This point is of fundamental importance and it may be easily forgotten when one is confronted with a typical building composed of a seemingly endless array of individual beams and columns. In such cases there is an immediate tendency to think of the structure only as an assembly of individual, small elements in which each element performs a separate function. Actuality, all structures are, and must be, designed primarily to function as an overall system and only secondarily as an array of discrete elements. These elements are positioned and interrelated to enable the overall structure to function as a whole in carrying vertically or horizontally acting loads to the ground. It is important to refer also to the types of loads. In fact structures are normally devised in response to a specific set of loading conditions and function as structures only with respect to those conditions; structures are often relatively fragile with respect to unanticipated loads. Designing a structure is the act of positioning constituent elements and formulating interrelations, with the objective of imparting a desired character to the resultant structural entity. This is necessary also at the initial stage of the project creation: a correct setting of the structural assembly makes the architecture realistic and without unexpected successive setbacks.The notions that elements are positioned and that relationships exist among these elements are basic to the concept of designing a structure. Elements can be positioned in various ways to carry loads, and many types of relationships may exist. For example, a beam may be related to a column or a wall simply by resting on top of it, or it may be rigidly attached to it, with radically different structural actions ensuing. Structures are mainly designed (also at the initial stage) under two main types of actions: vertical (dead loads such as self-weight, paves, partition walls, etc, and live loads such as furnitures, persons, etc.) and horizontal (wind and earthquake). The structural system has the task to transfer such loads correctly to the ground. To position and size (even approximately) correctly the structure it is necessary to comprehend the physical laws that govern such a transfer. Basics are provided in the courses of Statica and Scienza delle Costruzioni. The student will acquire the basic knowledge of: - To classify the structural elements that are available in architecture, with the focus on their structural behavior and use. - The processes by which the structural elements transfer the vertical loads to the ground - How wind and earthquake act on the building with emphasis to its structure and which structural solutions (focusing on why) are available to make the construction seismic resistant - Quantify the vertical and horizontal actions - To (approximately) size the most meaningful structural elements. The main skill (i.e. ability to apply the acquired knowledge) that the student must develop concerns the comprehension of the static principles that govern some simple structural systems in order to correctly include them in the architecture. In detail, the student will be able to: - To recognize the structural systems and to comprehend the mechanical principles that govern them; - To determine the structural typologies that are most appropriate to bear the seismic action and to position them in plan and section - To quantify the vertical and the horizontal actions; - To determine the approximate effects on the structure due to the loads and to approximately size the most meaningful structural elements (optional). The Course is a useful support to all the last year Laboratories as it will provide concepts and procedures useful to design (only first stage, not as-built) and to size (roughly) reinforced concrete structures, steel structures and masonry structures.

Seismic improvement, restoration and consolidation of historical buildings and monuments

@master structural restoration historic and monumental buildings seismic retrofit

The Master's program aims to provide the skills necessary to identify the most appropriate measures for the restoration and structural reinforcement of historic and monumental buildings. Such interventions require both a thorough understanding of the morphological and technical-constructional characteristics of architectural structures and proficiency in the tools used to analyze and assess their structural vulnerability.
The Master's program is designed for individuals who have earned a bachelor's degree in Engineering or Architecture, allowing them to deepen the knowledge acquired during their undergraduate studies, as well as for professionals and public servants who require professional development in the areas of seismic retrofitting, restoration, and structural consolidation.