Ricerc@Sapienza

The MODERATE project studies the hot topic of Performance-Based Multi-Hazard Design (PB-MH-D) of structures, with specific focus on the steel frame structural typology.

First: an advanced and comprehensive procedure for the PB-MH-D of steel frames will be developed by taking into account three kind of hazards: earthquake, wind and blast. This is necessary to develop exhaustive applications to consider two specific issues related to the PB-MH-D: i) the consideration of hazard-chain scenarios (e.g. blast following earthquakes) and; ii) the consideration of concurrent independent hazards determining conflicting design strategies (wind- VS earthquake-driven design).
Second: a number of case studies will be developed (frames of different heights).
Third: an optimal risk-targeted design procedure will be devised for a MH design context.

Structural performances related to Ultimate Limit States, Serviceability Limit States and Structural Robustness against Progressive Collapse will be considered in the devised design procedure.

The results of the MODERATE project will cover the literature gap regarding the two i) and ii) above-mentioned issues for steel frames used as structural system in mid- to high- rise buildings and will provide structural design/optimization guidelines in a true multi-hazard view.

Due to the complexity and the broadness of the topic, the initial research unit will be composed by five members in total (two full professors, one associate, one assistant plus one PhD), such a research team is strategically assembled to cover the main needed expertise: wind- earthquake- and blast- engineering, structural robustness assessment, reliability analysis, non-linear numerical modeling, structural optimization techniques. The request of an additional post-doctoral employment is strategic for the development of the large number of numerical models that will be necessary to take into account the different multi-hazard interactions listed above.