Ricerc@Sapienza

Research Area

Mechanics of non-classical continua; mechanics of masonry materials and structures; mechanics of composite materials; multiscale constitutive models; molecular theory of elasticity; elastic wave propagation; theory of plasticity and non-standard limit analysis; non-linear mathematical programming; non-linear finite element analysis; structural language of architecture.

Main Research Directions

Mechanical models for Lagrangian systems with non-linear behaviour:

• (a) experimental analysis on block masonry walls;
• (b) finite element formulation for rigid blocks interacting through non-linear and non-conservative deformable elements;
• (c) limit analysis of (2D and 3D) rigid block structures with unilateral constraints and friction via mathematical programming.

Multiscale constitutive models for complex materials as multifield continua:

• (a) constitutive functions for generalized continua;
• (b) block masonry materials as continua with rigid local structure;
• (c) damaged materials as continuous with affine microstructure
• (d) composite materials as three fields continua;
• (e) non-linear behaviour of masonry materials with internal structure.

The molecular theory of elasticity: origins and current developments.

The "tectonic" or art of building: the relations among mechanics (of solids and structures), mathematics and, historical and contemporary, architectural design.