Research Area
Active Research fields
Seismic behavior of masonry structures and stability checks;
Seismic vulnerability of masonry structures with historical-monumental interest, monitoring and use of innovative materials, such as FRP and FRCM, in structural strengthening;
Behavior of connections between composite beams and reinforced concrete columns under cyclical loads; dissipative tools and dumpers in the beam-column joint;
Behavior in service life and collapse of existing R.C. and prestressed R.C. bridge decks.
Research projects of the last 5 years
Responsible for the agreement between the network of seismic and structural university laboratories (Reluis) and the Engineering Department of the University of Palermo (Technical agreement implementing the agreement pursuant to art. 15 Law 7 August 1990, N. 241 between the Superior Council of Public Works and the Reluis Consortium). Theme: applications of the guidelines for the classification and management of risk, safety assessment and monitoring of existing bridges, with experimental sections - from 01/05/2021 to 28/12/2022 with extension to 2024.
Responsible for the agreement between Reluis and University of Palermo (Technical agreement implementing the agreement pursuant to art. 15 Law 7 August 1990, N. 241 between the Ministry of the Interior - Department of Public Security, Central Directorate of Technical Logistic Services and Property management-DPS-DCSTLGP and Consortium Reluis) and the subsequent note of the Ministry of the Interior, Department of Public Security, Central Directorate of technical-logistical services of property management, Infrastructure Service, Division II, of 17.09.2021. Theme: Support to the classification of buildings in use to the State Police and the programming of seismic safety checks and interventions - from 01/05/2021 to 28/12/2022.
Responsible for the UNIPA research unit of a research project of national interest (PRIN 2017) entitled "Innovative Systems for the Upgrage of Masonry Structures and Non Stuctural Elements" (Surmount), on the application of strengthening by FRCM to masonry structures.
Responsible for the UNIPA research unit of an industrial research project and experimental development in the Smart Secure and Inclusive Community Specialization Area identified in the PNR 2015-2020 (MIUR-PON, title: "Intelligent monitoring system for the safety of infrastructure Urban (insist), concluded in 2022.
Head of the Research Unit of the University of Palermo - Reluis Agreement 2017 of 31.12.16 [Framework Agreement 2014-2018 of 23.12.2013] - WP2 innovative materials for infrastructure interventions on existing buildings for the two-year period 2017-2018.
Responsible for the Research Unit of the University of Palermo - Reluis Agreement - Implementation Executive Project DPC/RELUIS 2019-2021 - WP 14: regulatory contributions relating to innovative materials for interventions on existing constructions for the three-year period 2019-2021.
Collaborations
University of Salerno, Cise Politecno in Milan - Research on composite truss-beams
University of Naples Federico II and University of Salento - Structural reinforcement with innovative materials
University of Messina and Catania-State Police Reluis-Department on Seismic Vulnerability data collection (Sicilian headquarters) and in Reluis projects on existing bridges
University of Houston: uses of composite truss-beams: Prof. Roberto Ballarini's research group
University of Belfast (Queen's) on reinforcement with innovative materials: Research group by Prof. Jian Fei Chen
Working group of Superior Council of Public Works, Ministry of Infrastructure aimed at drafting guidelines on the design of the structural strengthening with FRCM
Member of commissions of experts to the Superior Council of Public Works, the Ministry of Infrastructure, for the evaluation of the documentation presented for the issue of the certification of technical validity (CVT) for companies that operate on a broad spectrum in the field of construction materials, such as Mapei , Fibrenet, Kerakoll, Rutreadil, for the qualification of composite products FRP not included among those on the market
Polytechnic of Turin, Stmicroelectronics, Mapei - monitoring of masonry structures
Active research
The laboratory of materials and structures of which makes use of the research group has: - press with 4000 kN capacity; - compressioni and tension universal machine with 600 kN capacity; - horizontal and vertical contrast for testing structural elements or parts of structures with reduced or full-scale; - electronic equipment for automatic reading of structural responses; - devices for the acquisition of the strength levels directly from the load cells.
Services delivered under the right of third parties
- Tests aimed at project / qualification of the mix design for structural concrete
- Laboratory tests for the mechanical characterization of concrete, steel and masonry
- Extraction of specimens and execution of tests in-situ on reinforced concrete, masonry, steel and wood structures
- Tests in situ for the characterization of materials and structural elements
- Load tests on floors
- Performing of tests on structural elements, with the realization of devices and everything else needed for the test and reports with the interpretation of the results:
o Bending tests on concrete, wood and steel beams
o Load tests on trusses
o Centered and eccentric compression tests on columns and wall panels
o Lateral load tests on single-storey and single-span frames with and without infill
o Tests on reinforced and ordinary masonry panels even in the presence of openings
o Load tests on portions of vaults and on arches
o Testing of steel trusses, sheet metal, etc.
o Tests on joints in framed R.C. structures