Ricerc@Sapienza

This contribution illustrates the main features of an original parametric Finite Element (FE) model developed using OpenSEES in order to study the response of timber light-frame shear walls under earthquake. Within the proposed FE model, the framing system and the sheathing panel are modeled as elastic elements while the connections are simulated through zero-length non-linear elements. In particular, it is assumed that the overall nonlinear seismic response of the wall rests on the cyclic behavior of the connections.

Timber light-frame shear walls are a widespread structural system employed within platform framing buildings. Therefore, the analysis of the seismic performance of these structures deserves proper attention. In this regard, the limited inertia forces ensured by the high strength-to-density ratio of the timber and the energy dissipation ensured by sheathing-to-framing connections provide good earthquake resistance. The latter aspect for timber light-frame shear walls subjected to in-plane seismic loads is investigated in the present work.

The need for enhancing the sustainability of civil constructions has originated an increasing interest in the use of engineered bamboo-based products within the building sector. Nonetheless, while the static response of bamboo-made structures has been largely investigated, experimental and numerical researches concerning the response under dynamic loads are limited. Therefore, the present work deals with the assessment of the seismic behavior of modern bamboo lightweight shear walls, with focus on the energy dissipation ensured by sheathing-to-framing connections.

Although the construction of block pavements has grown fast in the last decades, there is still a need for simple tools that could be applied to design them. This paper analyzed and verified concrete block pavements for urban and local roads composed of rectangular concrete pavers with plane side surfaces (no interlocking effect). The examined blocks were laid on a bedding sand layer, a cement treated base layer and a granular unbound foundation layer.

This paper compared two approaches used to analyze a modular pedestrian pavement made of hexagonal basalt pavers. In presence of occasional heavy traffic roads, the pavement should be verified using methods currently used for road pavements. Different loading conditions were examined varying the geometry of the blocks, and the magnitude of the vertical load. In all cases, the results obtained from the analytical theory of Westergaard were higher than those obtained from a finite element model (FEM).

Considering the safety against derailment, it is essentially that a vehicle respects the force limits imposed by standards. This paper presents an experimental wayside measurement system for the measurement of the wheel-rail lateral contact force. While there are several well-known solutions for the monitoring of the vertical force, the measurement of the lateral one by means wayside systems is rather uncommon because of overlapping effects that are always present with vertical loads.

This paper analysed and verified an existing block stone pavement in an urban shared area. Fatigue and rutting verification was performed respectively for bound and unbound pavement materials using analytical curves available in the literature. The commercial finite element (FE) software Abaqus® was used to calculate the response of the pavement when subjected to different loading, construction and geometrical configurations (i.e. type of analysis, shape and size of meshes, boundary conditions, and bonding contacts between the pavements layers).