He graduated in civil engineering in 1974 at the Faculty of
Engineering of the University of Bologna. In 1975, after the
military service, he started his research work at the Institute of
Structural Engineering under supervision of prof. Piero Pozzati.
His main research area was the dynamic behaviour of building
structures under seismic action. In 1980 he became assistant
professor in the same institute and in 1984 he applied for a
position of associate professor, resulting the winner in 1989. In
March 1989 he became associate professor of Structural Engineering
in the University of Bologna and he started teaching the course of
Earthquake Engineering. In 1992 he applied at a national
competition for full professorship, resulting the winner in 1994.
Since November 1994 he is full professor of Structural Engineering
in the University of Bologna. Currently he is chair of the courses
of Structural Engineering and Earthquake Engineering. From 2003 to
2007 he was head of the Department DISTART of the University of
Bologna. From 2007 to 2012 he was dean of the Faculty of
Engineering of the University of Bologna. From 2012 he is
"Presidente" of the School of Engineering and Architecture. He was
also head of the Ph.D. School in Civil Engineering and Achitecture
from its foundation to October 2008. He was involved in national
research projects as local coordinator. He is author of more than
160 scientific papers which are focused mainly on dynamic and
seismic behaviour of structures. In particular his research work
was concentrated on different topics as the experimental dynamic
testing using shaking table, the non-linear analysis of structures,
the cyclic behaviour of RC structural members and the use of
innovative techniques for seismic protection. He is author of two
patents regarding precast systems together with a firm of the
structural area. He was member of the Scientific Committee of
Regione Emilia-Romagna for the reduction of seismic risk of
strategic buildings and of the Committee for large risks. He is
member of the Science Academy of Bologna. He was consultant and
designer for structures in seismic areas and rehabilitation of
existing buildings. He was also lecturer and organiser
of numerous training and high education courses organized by
Boards of Engineers and other public and private associations about
seismic design criteria and rehabilitation of existing
buildings.