72800 - Diagnostics and Testing of Structures M

Learning outcomes

The course aims at providing the basic experimental techniques and methodologies for the mechanical characterization of building materials and for the mechanical behavior of structural systems

Course contents

A) REQUIREMENTS/PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

A prior knowledge and understanding of key concept as strength, section forces, stress, strain, constitutive model of a material. Futher, he is able to solve by hand statically determinated and redundant simple structural and knows the concepts for the axial-flexural and shear verification with regards to the Ultimate Limit States method (approach, loading combinations and properly checks). All these knowledge are, tipically, achieved in the course of Scienza delle Cotruzioni T, Fondamenti di Tecnica delle Costruzioni T, Tecnica delle Costruzioni M. Fluent spoken and written Italian is a necessary pre-requisite: all lectures, presentations and all study material will be in Italian; .

B) COURSE CONTENTS

Measurements and Instrumentation

Fundamentals of metrology.

Traditional and innovative instrumentation for measuring distance, displacement, inclination, deformation, crack opening, vibration, force, stress, and temperature.

Special measurement techniques: fiber optic sensors, non-contact sensors, MEMS, laser vibrometry, Digital Image Correlation (DIC), photoelasticity, and stress-relief methods.

Materials Testing and Control

The role of concrete constituents in determining its mechanical properties; mechanical characterization of concrete and reinforcing bars: experimental procedures, failure mechanisms, standards, acceptance criteria, including in-situ testing.

Characterization of the in-situ compressive strength of concrete.

Mechanical characterization of masonry and its components: classification of existing masonry, experimental procedures, failure mechanisms, standards, and acceptance criteria.

Structural Behavior Analysis

Types of laboratory tests on structural components and elements.

Testing of structural elements strengthened with composite materials.

Structural Testing and Load Assessment

In-situ static tests and load tests on structural components or entire structures: design methodologies, implementation issues, and result interpretation.

In-situ dynamic tests and load tests on structural components or structures: fundamentals of structural dynamics, structural response, instrumentation and testing methods, and the problem of structural identification.

Non-Destructive Testing

Non-destructive and moderately destructive testing of reinforced concrete structures. Magnetometry for reinforcement detection. Core sampling. Non-destructive methods (rebound hammer testing, ultrasonic testing, and other techniques). Investigation procedures, processing of experimental data for strength estimation and defect analysis. Assessment of carbonation and permeability. Corrosion evaluation.

Microseismic investigations in the sonic and ultrasonic frequency ranges for the diagnosis of structural elements made of concrete, natural stone, and marble: physical principles, wave propagation, instrumentation, operational procedures, and processing and analysis of results.

Non-destructive and moderately destructive testing of masonry structures. Flat-jack tests, joint shear tests, penetrometric tests, and tests on extracted samples.

Advanced techniques: ground-penetrating radar (GPR), impact-echo testing, and sonic tomography.

Structural Health Monitoring

Procedures for monitoring newly constructed buildings and infrastructures. Monitoring parameters, data acquisition and transmission systems, wireless networks, and smart monitoring.

Applications to buildings, infrastructures, and cultural heritage assets.

Readings/Bibliography

G. Menditto – S. Menditto: “Indagini semidistruttive e non distruttive nell'ingegneria civile: disciplina tecnica, applicativa e normativa”, Pitagora, Bologna, 2008 .

G. Pascale: “Diagnostica a ultrasuoni per l'edilizia: costruzioni civili – beni culturali”, Flaccovio, Palermo, 2008.

R. Pucinotti: “Patologia e diagnostica del cemento armato”, Flaccovio, Palermo, 2005.

E. Ruggerone: “Diagnostica strutturale”, Flaccovio, Palermo, 2005.

A. Bray, V. Vicentini: “Meccanica sperimentale – misure ed analisi delle sollecitazioni”, Levrotto e Bella, Torino.

J.W. Dally, W.F. Riley: “Experimental Stress Analysis”, McGraw-Hill, 1991.

A. Ajovalasit: “Estensimetri elettrici a resistenza”, Aracne, Roma, 2006.

V.M. Malhotra, N.J. Carino: “Handbook on Nondestructive Testing of Concrete”, CRC Press, USA, 2004.

F. Ansari: “Fiber optic sensors for construction materials and bridges”, Technomic, Lancaster, USA, 1998.

M.J. Sansalone, W.B. Street: “Impact-echo”, Bullbrier Press, Ithaca, N.Y., 1997.

Teaching methods

Lectures given in presence with power point presentations
Visits to the lab to observe development of tests

Assessment methods

During the course, some simple homeworks could be assigned.

A final oral verification is prescribed for this exam. During the oral, it will be verified the personal preparation of the student and his knowledge on the main theoretical aspects of the course. The oral tests are composed of two questions, and the assessment procedure will clarify if the student acquired a sufficient number of the predicted learning outcomes. They aim to establish the knowledge and skills achieved by the student as well as to evaluate its technical language with reference to the topics discussed. Passing of the exam will be granted to students who demonstrate mastery and operational capacity in relation to the key-concepts discussed in the course showing, in particular, that the student learned the basic theoretical concepts and is able to argue in a comprehensive manner and in autonomous way the various steps leading to the definition of the main results. The higher scores will be awarded to students who demonstrate to understand with breadth of content and appropriate language, the subjects taught and, further, will show to be able to apply all the teaching content in operating autonomy even for the most complex cases. Failure to pass the exam will be due instead to insufficient knowledge of the key-concepts (such as those fundamental of structural mechanics), failure to properly master technical language, or it can be due to low operational autonomy shown in the performance of the tests.

Teaching tools

Copies of ppt presentations will be delivered to the students trough the IOL web-site.

Office hours

See the website of Claudio Mazzotti

See the website of Cristina Gentilini