List of Currently Activated Courses
Fundamental courses
Mathematical Methods I – Teacher: A. Valli
Introduction to selected mathematical techniques oriented toward solving advanced continuous and
lumped parameter problems of the type often encountered in mechanical engineering. Elliptic,
parabolic and hyperbolic ordinary and partial differential equations. Solution by separation of variables,
integral transforms, Green's functions and numerical methods. The emphasis is on understanding how
physical processes work.
Numerical Methods – Teacher: Prof. E. Toro
Analysis and application of numerical methods for solving partial differential equations. Finite
difference methods, spectral methods, multigrid methods.
Numerical solution of systems of non-linear equations, and unconstrained optimization problems.
Finite elements methods, sparse matrix techniques, and algorithms in scientific computing.
Fracture and damage mechanics – Teacher: Prof. G. Novati
Elements of linear elastic fracture mechanics; J-integral and related energy methods; non-linear fracture
mechanics; numerical technologies (FEM-BEM); elements of damage mechanics.
Linear and non-linear dynamics – Teacher: Prof. A. Cazzani
Linear dynamics of discrete systems: damped and undamped vibrations of elastic rods, beams and
plates. Continuum dynamics: wave propagation in elastic domains. Numerical methods in
elastodynamics : FEM and BEM. Elements of non-linear dynamics.
Finite element analysis and applications – Teachers: Prof. G. Novati, Prof. A. Cazzani
Advanced applications of the finite element method to mechanical design problems; nonlinear analysis
techniques; geometric non-linearity; material behaviour: elastic and inelastic response; moving
boundary conditions; multi-component contact problems; dynamic response analysis; direct
integration; modal superposition.
Programming languages – Teacher: Dr. E. Bertolazzi
Structured and object-oriented approach for scientific programming. Programming languages: Fortran
90/95 and C++. Algorithms to solve practical problems. Application to the finite element method and
to the boundary element method.
Structural reliability – Teachers: Prof. Z. Zembaty
Identification and modelling of non-deterministic problems in the context of engineering design and
decision making; stochastic concepts and simulation models. Second-moment and transformation
methods. Reliability of structural systems and time-dependent reliability. Load and load effect
modelling.
Two-dimensional elements subjected to transversal load – Teacher: Prof. G. Plizzari
Plates subjected to bending: internal forces, principal moments, constraint forces
Grillage analysis for bridges: interaction between main and secondary members
Rib plates: stress redistribution
Yield lines of plate at failure
Curved plates – Teacher: Prof. G. Plizzari
Membrane theory of shells, vaults and domes;
Modelling and analysis of the vault-building interaction;
Bending stress regime in vaults and domes.
Advanced problems in reinforced concrete structures – Teachers: Prof. G. Plizzari, Prof. P. Riva
- Box structures;
- Diffusion of concentrated forces;
- Joint behaviour;
- Application of concrete fracture mechanics;
- Plastic design method;
- Strut and Tie approach;
- Fire resistance of structures.
Advanced problems in pre-stressed concrete structures – Teachers: Prof. A. Gubana, Prof. P.
Riva
- Partially pre-stressed concrete;
- External pre-stressing;
- Unbonded pre-stressing;
- Pre-stressing of two-dimensional elements;
- Pre-stressing of shells.
Stability problems in structures – Teachers: Prof. N. Gattesco, Prof. P. Gelfi
- Shell and plate stability;
- Arch stability;
- Wagner beam;
- Problems of stability in bridges;
- Stability of frames.
Conceptual structural design – Teacher: Prof. E. Giuriani
- Structural typologies;
- Performance-based design;
- Choice of structural materials;
- Choice of structural schemes.
Laboratory and in situ testing in geotechnical engineering – Teachers: Dr. A. Tarantino, Dr. L.
Simeoni
Basic concepts of error theory;
Pressure, force and displacement measuring devices;
Energy supply and data acquisition systems;
Principles of laboratory mechanical testing;
In situ measuring devices;
Automatic monitoring systems and remote data transmission;
Statistical treatment of data;
Laboratory projects
Laboratory and in situ testing for structural engineering - Teacher : Dr. N. Baldassino
Laboratory and in situ mechanical testing
Monitoring
Measurement systems,
Control and data acquisition systems
Statistical treatment and measurement interpretation
Building materials – Teachers: Prof. M. Piazza, Prof. A. Saetta
Physical and mechanical properties and experimental monitoring both for new and old materials, with
durability purposes
Stones and bricks,
Mortar and cementing materials
Wood and composite wooden materials,
Steel for concrete and pre-stressed concrete,
Structural steel
Concrete,
Synthetic fibers and resins,
Damage and new materials
Architectural Restoration - Teacher: Prof. Cacciaguerra
The concept of restoration: analysis of the concept of restoration and development of the concept:
intervention carried out during various periods and interpretation in relation to underlying cultural,
theoretical and technical attitudes. 18th and 19th century proposals and projects in Europe.
The scientific approach to restoration. Various tendencies in relation to amplification of the restoration
idea from the individual building to the historic and to urban and non urban environments.
Knowledge of the site and of the building: - Teacher: Dr. Maria Paola Gatti
The analytical process and method as a premise for operative proposals. Necessary methodological
approaches and notions during action on buildings. Geometrical-dimensional analysis and design
conventions.
Construction History- Teacher: Prof. E. Siviero
Materials in the history of building
Construction techniques
Experimental techniques.
The industrial revolution and the evolution of building technique
The restoration of Modern Architecture - Teacher: Prof. G. Cacciaguerra
Problems and methods in the restoration of the modern architecture: knowledge of building materials
and their structural performance; evolution of modern building materials and technology; problems of
aging, decay and the protection of materials; problems of habitability in the re-use of modern buildings.
Advanced courses
Materials and structural design with anisotropic solids – Teacher: Prof. M. Rovati
Linear material response and classes of symmetries; energy response for anisotropic solids; crystals
with negative Poisson’s ratio.
Advanced instrumentation and signal processing – Teachers: Prof. O. Soncini, Prof. G. Petri
Advanced techniques in instrumentation using state-of-the-art transducers, techniques in data
acquisition and signal processing. Techniques for estimating errors and optimizing data quality.
Control engineering – Teacher: Prof. D.P. Stoten
Unification of the analysis and design techniques of a broad range of dynamic systems through the use
of modern control tools. Builds upon the background of classical control topics including Nyquist,
Bode, and root locus. Emphasis upon developing the tools of state-space control theory and applying
these tools to effect the design of controllers for linear dynamic systems. Other subjects in applications
of control theory. Topics to be chosen from include optimization, adaptive control, learning control,
and non-linear analysis.
Experimental and numerical methods in earthquake engineering – Teachers: Prof. O. S. Bursi,
Dr. Antonella Colombo
Linear dynamic analysis : time integration of linear dynamic FE equations with finite difference and
variation-based integrators. Frequency domain analysis of linear dynamic FE systems; discrete Fourier
transform ; Z-transform . Behaviour of non-linear systems: exact solution methods; approximate
solution methods; graphical solution methods; natural modes. Time integration of materially non-linear
dynamic equations. Time integration of geometrically non-linear dynamic equations. Solution of
algebraic equations via quasi-Newton and secant methods. On-line computer controlled testing
techniques devoted to the evaluation of structures subjected to dynamic and earthquake loads: theory.
On-line computer controlled testing techniques devoted to the evaluation of structures subjected to
dynamic and earthquake loads: case studies.
Non-linear solid mechanics – Teacher: Prof. D. Bigoni
Tensor algebra and analysis; kinematics and motion; large deformations; conservation theorems;
equilibrium equations; material frame indifference; elasticity, hyperelasticity, plasticity; incremental
equations at large deformations.
Composite structures – Teachers: Prof. P. Gelfi, Prof. N. Gattesco
- Structural behaviour of composite beams and columns;
- Deformable connections;
- Creep and shrinkage;
- Fire resistance.
Strengthening of reinforced concrete structures - Teacher: Prof. E. Giuriani
Degradation of concrete and corrosion of reinforcing bars
Repair techniques
Composite action between concrete castings and/or members
External strengthening with glued laminates
External cables
Seismic restoration rules for modern buildings.
Case studies of buildings, sites and neighborhoods of the modern movement - Teacher: Prof. G.
Cacciaguerra
Restoration of the Adalberto Libera school in Trento important example of “modern architecture”.
Restoration of a modern building: Midena’s “palazzo di vetro” in Udine
Timber floors and timber roofs - Teachers: Prof. E. Giuriani, M. Piazza.
Strengthening against vertical loads (modelling and construction techniques)
Layout against horizontal action and interaction with bearing walls (modelling and constructional
techniques)
Connection of reinforcing elements and composite sections
Seismic layout of roofs (modelling and constructional techniques)
Box structures devoted to load reduction on masonry walls
Strengthening of masonry walls - Teacher: Prof. C. Modena
Structural behaviour: main aspects
Strengthening techniques
Seismic behaviour
Selected topics in soil mechanics – Teachers: Prof. L. Mongiovì, Prof. A. Gajo, Dr. A. Tarantino
(20 hrs chosen among the following modules)
Plastic collapse and stability of soil structures (10 hrs)
Bound Method;
Characteristic Method;
Application to foundations, excavations and retaining structures;
The course aims at providing basic knowledge theories of plastic collapse, with emphasis on stability of
soil structures.
Mechanics of unsaturated soils (10 hrs)
Solid-water-air interaction at the microscopic scale;
Effective stresses in unsaturated soils;
Constitutive modelling;
Application to slope stability
The objective of the course is to introduce the basic concepts of unsaturated soil mechanics.
Coupling in porous media (10 hrs)
Field equations of saturated porous media under dynamic conditions
Numerical methods of solution
Experimental evidences
The aim of this part of the course is to provide the basic concepts for using commercial finite element
programmes devoted to geotechnical engineering.
Experimental modal analysis – Teacher: Dr. D. Zonta
The basics in experimental modal analysis will be developed. Experimental data collected from a
structure will be used to form a model to be compared to a computational model. Model quality and
comparison techniques will be stressed.
Computer Science Techniques and Multiobjective optimization in Structural Engineering Teacher: Prof. F. Massacci
Advanced topics in data-mining and machine learning
Sensors
Security verification of hybrid and active structures
Linear programming and optimization
Multi-objective optimization in structural problems with uncertainties
Signal Processing and System Identification - Teachers: Prof. O.S. Bursi; Dr. Paolo Clemente
Characterization and classification of digital signals; digital processing of continuous-time signals:
sampling, aliasing, quantization and reconstruction; the z-transform, regions of convergence, inverse
and properties; linear time invariant (LTI) discrete-time systems, input/output convolution, impulse
response sequence and transfer function based upon the discrete-time Fourier transform (DTFT), poles
and zeros, magnitude and phase characteristics; digital filter structures, recursive and non-recursive;
methods for digital filter design; spectral analysis with the DFT and FFT; digital multirate signal
processing, decimation and interpolation, polyphase decomposition, applications.
Polynomial methods; least-square methods; Fourier methods in time-series analysis
Time-series models
Time-series estimates
Parametric and non-parametric methods
Recursive identification methods
Identification of systems operating in closed loops
Model validation and model structure determination
Advanced engineering acoustics – Teacher: Prof. D. Bigoni
The fundamental principles underlying the coupled vibration of structures and their radiated sound field
will be outlined. Methods for analytically investigating the motion of elastic structures surrounded by
acoustic mediums will be studied. Beam, plate, and cylindrical shell structures will be considered.
Application of the methods developed to various situations encountered in practice and research will be
studied. An introduction to the boundary element method will be presented.
Smart Structures – Teacher: Dr. D. Zonta
Topics related to the analysis, design, and implementation of smart structures and systems: modelling of beams and plates with induced
strain actuation; shape memory alloys; electro-rheological fluids; magnetostrictor and electrostricter actuators and fiber optic sensors.
Local and Overall Stability Problems in Stainless Steel and Aluminum Structures – Teacher:
Prof. Kim Rasmussen (offered only in Spring 2003)
Theory and design of masonry-arch bridges – Teacher: Dr. Paolo Clemente (offered the 25th - 28th
February 2003)
Theoretical and practical aspects on fatigue phenomena in steel structures – Teacher: Dr.
Roberto Crocetti (offered only in May 2003)
Training Courses Offered in 2003
Time integration of the equations of motion in structural dynamics: problems and advanced
methods: Dr. Massimo Mancuso (offered in March 2003)