Learning objectives
Knowledge and understanding
In the first part, the course presents the mechanical resistance characteristics of materials for constructions and related experimental investigations to be carried out on the basis of existing technical recommendations.
Then, the fracture failure is analysed.
Finally, some structural analysis softwares are presented.
Applying knowledge and understanding
At the end of the Course, each student should:
(1) be able to perform acceptance tests (on structural materials) requested to the construction site engineer by the Technical Rules;
(2) be able to assess the safety with respect to the fracture failure of civil, mechanical, aeronautical structures;
(3) have the necessary knowledge to use computational tools with a high level in the professional field.
Communication skills
At the end of the Course, each student should know all the technical words related to the topics treated.
Prerequisites
- - -
Course unit content
The topics treated in the Course are the following ones:
(1) Materials for constructions: experimental techniques and recommendations
(2) Fracture failure: fracture mechanics concepts
(3) Softwares for structural calculation
Full programme
(1) Materials for constructions: experimental techniques and recommendations
(1.1) Measuring devices and machines to test the properties of materials for constructions
(1.2) Tests on the metallic materials
(1.3) Tests on steels for reinforced concrete
(1.4) Tests on concrete
(2) Fracture failure: fracture mechanics concepts
(2.1) Energy-based Griffith criterion and fracture energy
(2.2) Stress-based Westergaard method
(2.3) Correlation between fracture energy and the critical value of the stress intensity factor
(2.4) Fatigue phenomena: experimental approach and analytical approach
(3) Softwares for structural calculation
(3.1) Straus7 (http://www.enginsoft.it/software/straus/index.html)
(3.2) Abaqus (http://www.3ds.com/it/prodotti-e-servizi/simulia/portafoglio/abaqus/nuova-release/)
(3.3) Chronoengine (http://www.chronoengine.info/chronoengine/)
(3.4) Franc3D (http://www.cfg.cornell.edu/software/franc3d_osm.htm)
(3.5) Matlab (http://www.mathworks.it/products/matlab/)
Bibliography
Recommended books:
- A. Bray, V. Vicentini. Meccanica Sperimentale. Levrotto & Bella, Torino, 1975
- M. Torricelli. I materiali da costruzione: identificazione, qualificazione, accettazione secondo le Norme Tecniche per le Costruzioni - D.M. 14/1/2008, Maggioli Editore, 2011.
- Relevant technical recommendations – UNI normative (Ente Italiano di Normazione)
All books and technical recommendations are available by the University library (Biblioteca Politecnica di Ingegneria e Architettura).
Additional educational material:
- Documentation provided by the teacher (Centro Documentazione - Ingegneria - Sede Didattica)
Teaching methods
The Course consists of theoretical lectures and practical tutorials on experimental tests in the Lab. For the topics related to the structural materials, tutorials on experimental tests are planned, in the “Tests on Materials and Structures” Laboratory at DICATeA Department., so that each student can learn the procedures to be followed during such tests, as is described in the Technical Rules discussed during the theoretical lectures.
For the topics related to the Software for structural calculation, practical exercises are planned at the computer labs of the Sede Didattica.
The theoretical lectures are delivered by employing transparencies, which the students can get at the Documentation Office.
Assessment methods and criteria
The final test consists of a written test which, only on the topics listed at points (1) and (2) of Section "Contents", is weighted as follows:
- 40% questions on theoretical concepts (theoretical skill);
- 10% ability to present scientific topics with the right technical words (communication skill).
Laboratory exercises: 50% student involvement in the activities (practical skill).
Other information
Students must compulsorily attend all lectures and tutorials.
