The thesis aims to investigate the dynamical criticality of a pedestrian footbridge and the use of a semi-active tuned mass damper. In this respect, the work appears threefold since the first and third part regard identification of a realistic model for the damping device and semi-active control of the magneto-rheological damper. In this respect, input identification techniques are a useful tool and an aid for the control law design. As a consequence, the second part involves both input identification strategies for a dynamic system and analysis of issues related to the inherent delay. In this respect, the so called “collocation” of measurement devices with respect to the application points of the input is critical, together with the concept of kernel.

Accidental events, such as impact loading and explosions, are rare events with a very low probability of occurrence, but their effects often lead to very high human losses and economical consequences. Vulnerability of structures to the effects of local damages and its mitigation are issues widely discussed inside the scientific community. The structural property associated with such a vulnerability is named robustness. Depending on the type of the structural system and on the importance of consequences, specific design strategies can be adopted in order to ensure a robust structural response. Among them, the system redundancy, the joints and members ductility and the alternate load paths are the ones commonly adopted in case of multi-storey framed buildings. The present work focuses on the study of the behaviour of steel-concrete composite structures subjected to a column loss, and proposes a global overview to quantify the robustness of such systems subjected to this hazard scenario. The description of validated finite element models and of a new analytical tool to predict the response of flat concrete slabs subjected to large displacement are reported in this dissertation. Furthermore, important design hints for composite buildings are proposed. The starting point of the research is an experimental campaign conducted at the University of Trento. Two tests on 3D full-scale one storey composite steel-concrete frames, extracted from five storeys frames designed in accordance to the Eurocodes, were performed simulating the central column removal. The role of the beam-to-column connections and of the concrete slab for the force redistribution was investigated. The experimental data have been then taken as reference for the calibration of finite element models that allowed to conduct further numerical analyses on different structural configurations and design scenarios. In particular, it was studied the influence of the location of the removed column on the structural behaviour. The collapse of central, lateral and corner columns were investigated in order to understand the load transfer mechanism, the requirement of joint ductility and the influence of the concrete slab on the development of alternate load paths. Both experimental and numerical results showed that the concrete slab plays a key role on the load transfer mechanism within the structure: it can hence contribute significantly to the robustness of the system preventing progressive collapse. The knowledge of the response of reinforced concrete slabs subjected to large displacements, as in the case of a column loss, allows quantifying the contribution to the resistance of the building to collapse associated with activation of membrane forces. Regarding this aspect, a new analytical simplified method, based on the principle of virtual works, was developed to predict the load-deflection response of simply supported reinforced concrete slabs with planar edge restraints subjected to large displacement. In conclusion, the present work provides a significant contribution to the knowledge of composite steel-concrete structures subjected to extreme loading conditions and open the way to extend results to different structural configurations and loading scenarious.

This doctoral thesis focuses on the seismic risk mitigation of â special riskâ industrial facilities, like chemical, petrochemical and process industries. It is known that the impact of natural hazards, such as earthquakes, on this type of structures may cause significant accidents leading to severe consequences to both the environment and human lives; see, among others, Lanzano et al., (2015) and Krausmann et. al (2010). In particular, the most critical components in a petrochemical plant are fluid-filled storage tanks; they can experience severe damages and trigger cascading effects in neighbouring tanks due to large vibrations induced by strong earthquakes, indeed. In order to reduce these tank vibrations, an innovative type of foundation based on metamaterial concepts is investigated. Metamaterials are generally regarded as manmade structures that exhibit unusual responses not readily observed in natural materials. Due to their exceptional properties and advancements in recent years, metamaterials have entered the field of seismic engineering, and therefore, offer a novel approach to design seismic shields. As a result, an encouraging and practicable strategy for the seismic protection of liquid storage tanks is presented and validated. On the other hand, the outcomes of this research study also aim to improve seismic risk assessment of â special riskâ facilities mainly through experimental dynamic analysis. In view of performing a dynamic analysis of these complex components, necessary for the global seismic risk assessment procedure, online hybrid (numerical/physical) dynamic substructuring simulations have shown their potential in enabling realistic dynamic analysis of almost any type of nonlinear structural system. At the same time, owing to faster and more accurate testing equipment, a number of different offline experimental substructuring methods, operating both in time and frequency domains, have been employed in mechanical engineering to examine dynamic substructure coupling. The scope of the study is the exploitation of different Experimental Dynamic Substructuring (EDS) methods in a complementary way to expedite a hybrid experiment/numerical simulation and, consequently, the comprehensive dynamic analysis. From this perspective, after a comparative uncertainty propagation analysis of three EDS algorithms, a new Composite-EDS (C-EDS) method is proposed and numerically validated. To the best of the authorâ s knowledge, this research study presents the first algorithm used to fuse both online and offline algorithms into a unique simulator with significant advantages in terms of dynamic analysis and seismic risk assessment of industrial plants. Finally, the research activity is supported by the results from different experimental testing campaigns with the main purpose to investigate the complex behaviour of critical industrial components, such as Tee joints and Bolted Flanged Joints (BFJs), with particular regard to the leakage phenomena resistance. In this respect, a reliable an innovative model capable of predicting the leakage force for a generic BFJ, including the interaction between axial and shear load, is proposed and validated.

The research is aimed at developing seismic methods for the design and evaluation of the seismic vulnerability of wooden structures, using a displacement-based approach. After a brief introduction on the seismic behaviour of timber structures, the general Direct Displacement-Based Design (Direct-DBD) procedure and the state-of-the-art are presented, with clear reference to the application of the Direct-DBD method to wooden buildings. The strength of the Direct-DBD method is its ability to design structures in a manner consistent with the level of damage expected, by directly relating the response and the expected performance of the structure. The research begins with a description of the procedural aspects of the Direct-DBD method and the parameters required for its application. The research presented focuses on the formulation of a displacement-based seismic design procedure, applicable to one-storey wooden structures made with a portal system. This typology is very common in Europe and particularly in Italy. A series of analytical expressions have been developed to calculate design parameters. The required analytical Direct-DBD parameters are implemented based on the mechanical behaviour of the connections, made with metal dowel-type fasteners. The calibration and subsequent validation of design parameters use a Monte Carlo numerical simulation and outcomes obtained by tests in full-scale. After the description of the Displacement-Based method for one-storey wooden structures, a series of guidelines to extend the Direct-DBD methodology to other types and categories of timber systems are proposed. The thesis presents the case of a multi-storey wood frame construction, which is a simple extension of the glulam portal frame system. Part of this work has been done within the RELUIS Project, (REte dei Laboratori Universitari di Ingegneria Sismica), Research Line IV, which in the years between 2005 and 2008 involved several Italian universities and Italian institutes of research in the development of new seismic design methods. The Project produced the first draft of model code for the seismic design of structures based on displacement (Direct-DBD). This thesis is the background to the section of the model code developed for timber structures.

Seismic testing methodologies play a significant role in earthquake engineering due to complexities of engineering materials and ground motion. Among available testing methods, hybrid simulation is more appealing for its merits, e.g., evaluating dynamic responses of large scale structures at lower cost. As a novel member of hybrid simulation, Real-time Hybrid Simulations (RHS), since its conception in 1992, has shown its unique properties and capacity for testing complex structural components, especially rate-dependent ones. RHS often partitions the emulated structure into portions, which are then either numerically or physically simulated in real-time according to our knowledge of them. In particular, the critical nonlinear and/or rate-dependent parts are often physically modelled within a realistic real-time test, while the remainder parts are simultaneously evaluated by solving differential equations. Evidently, the challenge of these methods is to enforce the coupling at the interface between portions via real-time loading and real-time computation. Heretofore great development of RHS has been attained. This dissertation is devoted to developing RHS in two aspects, namely transfer system control and time integration algorithms. In detail, research work and findings are summarized as follows: The dissertation initially focuses on the implementation of a model-based control strategy –internal model control (IMC) and its comparison with the classic PID/PI control on the lately conceived high performance test system - the TT1 test system. The control strategy of the electromagnetic actuators consists of three loops, namely one speed loop and two displacement loops. The outer displacement loop is regulated with IMC or PID/PI whilst the inner two loops with proportional control. In order to compare different control strategies, realistic tests with swept sinusoidal waves and numerical simulations concentrating on robustness were carried out. Analysis showed that IMC is preferable for its robustness and its ease of implementation and online tuning. Both IMC and PID work similarly and well on the actuator which can be simplified into a first-order system plus dead time. In addition, RHS was performed and showed the favorable state of the system. In order to accurately compensate for a time-varying delay in RHS, online delay estimation methods were proposed and discussed based on a simplified actuator model. The model, consisting of a static gain and dead time, results in nonlinear relationships among different displacements. The estimation based on the Taylor series expansion was further developed by introducing the recursive least square algorithm with a forgetting factor. Then this scheme was investigated and assessed in pure simulations and RHS via comparison with two other methods. Finally, the proposed scheme was identified to be satisfactory in terms of its convergence speed, accuracy and repeatability and to be superior to other methods. With the insight into the weakness of available compensation schemes in mind, two polynomial delay compensation formulae considering the latest displacement and velocity targets were proposed. Assessment and comparisons of the formulae by means of frequency response functions and stability analysis were carried out. In order to facilitate delay compensation, another novel compensation scheme characterized by overcompensation and optimal feedback was conceived. Numerical simulations and realistic RHS were performed to examine the proposed schemes. The analysis revealed that the proposed polynomial formulae exhibit smaller prediction errors and the second-order scheme with the LSRT2 algorithm is endowed with a somewhat larger stability range. Moreover, the overcompensation scheme was concluded to have the ability of time-varying delay accommodation, error reduction and sometimes stability improvement. With regard to time integration algorithms, this dissertation extends the equivalent force control (EFC) method which is a method of RHS with implicit integrators to RHS on split mass systems. The EFC method for this problem was spectrally analyzed and was found more satisfactory stability than some explicit integrator. Then larger control errors due to quadartically interpolated EF commands were recognized and treated with a proposed displacement correction. In view of the inherent feature of RHS –multiple quantities coupling at the interface, the correction was extended to simultaneously update displacement and acceleration. Spectral stability analysis and numerical simulations demonstrated that: (1) the correction can remove the constraint of zero-stability to the method and reduce algorithmic dissipation; (2) it also works well for MDOF systems. Finally, an inter-field parallel algorithm for RHS, namely IPLSRT2, was developed and analyzed. This method was based on the Rosenbrock (LSRT2) method and a prior inter-field parallel integrator–PLSRT2. The LSRT2 with different stage sizes, velocity projection and modified Jacobian evaluation were introduced to the algorithm in order to avoid and/or weaken the disadvantages of the PLSRT2 method, such as inefficient computation, displacement and velocity drifts, and complicated starting procedure. Accuracy analysis, spectral stability analysis, pure numerical simulations and realistic RHS were performed to investigate the properties of the IPLSRT2 method. Compared with the PLSRT2 method, this method exhibits pros and cons. In detail, the method loses the accuracy order due to the velocity projection applied at all time steps. However, it can provide more accurate displacement and velocity results in common applications where a little larger time step is required. In some cases, the proposed method exhibits smaller phase shifts and dissipation. Moreover, computation efficiency in Subdomain A is improved and its implementation in real-time applications is simplified.

Bridges in service in most Western Countries were built according to codes with design loads that are now inconsistent with today’s traffic demands. Currently, transportation agencies do not know how to respond to transit applications on their bridges. This thesis focuses on the legal issues entailed by overweight/oversize load permits issued by transportation agencies. Indeed, correct decision-making should consider the legal liabilities involved in possible catastrophic events. In this thesis I illustrate how this problem is guided by the Department of Transportation of the Italian Autonomous Province of Trento (APT’s DoT), a medium-sized agency managing approximately one thousand bridges across its territory. In the basic approach, it does not authorize movement of overweight loads unless it is demonstrated that their effect is less than that of the nominal design load. When this condition is not satisfied, a formal evaluation is carried out in an attempt to assess a higher load rating for the bridge. If, after the reassessment, the rating is still insufficient, the bridge is classified as sub-standard and a formal evaluation of the operational risk is performed to define a priority ranking for future reinforcement or replacement.

This study concerns seismic vulnerability assessment of masonry arch bridges with common typologies in Europe. Bridges are, in most cases, the most vulnerable elements in the transportation network during an earthquake; therefore, their seismic vulnerability assessment is necessary for a proper planning of the emergency phase and to define a priority for retrofit interventions. Masonry arch bridges were subdivided into homogeneous classes of single span and multi-span structures, according to the result of a statistical analysis made up of a large stock of 757 railway bridges located in high seismic areas. All the different collapse mechanisms for seismic action were studied for each class of masonry arch bridges with application of limit analysis and the calibration with FEM. In particular, limit analysis methods for the seismic assessment of single and multi spans bridges were developed. A innovative limit analysis approach was proposed for the assessment of the global transverse seismic capacity of multi-span masonry bridges with slender piers. Envelope curves representing the seismic capacity expressed in terms of limit horizontal acceleration were derived by parametrical analysis by means of simplified limit analysis. These curves can be used for a simplified vulnerability assessment of masonry arch bridges and for a simple calibration of the judgment obtained by BMS through inspection visits to bridges. In the second part of the study, a new simplified approach for the fast calculation of seismic fragility curves of numerous masonry arch bridge clusters is proposed. The aim of this thesis is to propose a quickly procedure to estimate the seismic vulnerability of extended roadway and railway bridge networks in emergency conditions and to optimize the retrofit interventions.

The masonry still one of the widespread construction system for low-rise residential buildings even for countries prone to seismic risk. Despite seismic design methods yet in use are force-based, in the last decades was highlighted as the differences in strength between two levels of damage is low, and therefore as the damage is better correlated to the displacement. Also, in recent years, has arose a widespread expectation for being able to control the damage based on the probability of occurrence of an earthquake or being able to base the design on different performance levels ("performance-based design"). In this context, considerable interest is growing regarding the application of these methods to the design of masonry structures. Many questions are still open and need to be studied more in detail. From the experimental results obtained by cyclic shear-compression tests on different types of masonry panels, an analytical model has been developed, that allows to reproduce the in-plane behavior of both the tested types: one is modern reinforced masonry and the other is traditional multi-leaf stone masonry. The developed model has been used to perform a wide number of dynamic analysis with the aim of studying the inelastic characteristics of the described types of masonry. The results of the analysis made it possible to define simple and reliable formulations for the application of displacement-based method to masonry structures. Finally, we studied the dynamic behavior of a large structure, through the finite element analysis, using a damage model that has been shown to be able to reproduce the response obtained from shaking table tests. This phase has the aims of validate the results obtained for stone masonry walls, and giving useful indication for the application of displacement-based method on multi-degree of freedom structures.

The assessment and the conservation of historical masonry structures are very challenging issues. According to the actual methodology, all the phases of the entire process of assessment require efforts and reciprocal comparison in order to understand reliably the structural behaviour and to design effective interventions. This thesis goes through such phases (anamnesis, diagnosis and treatment), introducing some innovations in each step and connecting the experimental experiences to models with the support of some real cases. Three techniques are developed about the knowledge phase, namely sonic test, flat jacks and dynamic identification. Deeper studies have been dedicated to vault systems by means of an extended experimental campaign with five full scale vaults tests and a reverse analysis to better understand the behaviour of structures and, at the same time, the limits of models. Sometime this comparison suggests a lack between model parameters and physical meaning due to modelling approaches (mesh, element type) and parameters (material properties and constitutive laws) and this gap may be fulfil by both local and global tests. From the experimental point of view this work presents a wide range of tests from the local to the global behaviour and varying among non-destructive, minor destructive and destructive tests. On the other hand for models, both linear and non-linear approaches have been adopted looking as well to local and global phenomena. Finally, about the deepest analysis on vaults even the scale of modelling was evaluated with the comparison between macro and meso-scale modelling. In this framework some proposal in kinematic analysis of strengthened vaults were provided. The work carried out allows therefore to compare traditional and more used tools for structural assessment purposes with real and measured experiences helping to validate the current methodology in the safety evaluation of existing buildings.

Protection of high-value building contents from seismic damage represents a worldwide challenging task. Artefacts, sophisticated medical and electrical equipment, high performance computer installations and other special contents have shown, in the last years, their high vulnerability both for high and moderate earthquakes. The lack of effective techniques, sufficiently developed for seismic risk mitigation of such objects, makes the seismic protection of contents a crucial issue. An effective means to provide this protection is seismic isolation. The isolation techniques to be used for the content are not a mere extension of the ones used for civil structures, although the basic theories and concepts of seismic isolation are the same. Indeed, the following technical peculiarities have to be considered: the contents have masses orders of magnitude smaller than those characteristic of civil structures and, secondly, they are often very vulnerable and are not able to withstand even small seismic actions. This thesis, that fits into this context, presents an innovative seismic isolation device for lightweight structures, named “RBRL” system, i.e. “Rolling-Ball Rubber-Layer”, and it is aimed at studying the dynamic behaviour of the system itself through numerical analyses and parametric experimentations, with the goals to get a sufficient comprehension of the system performance and its general numerical characterization. The device, invented by Alan Thomas at TARRC (“Tun Abdul Razach Research Centre”) comprises: a rolling-based bearing system, which allows any displacements in the horizontal plane; two rubber layers bonded to the steel tracks, which give an adequate damping to the rolling steel balls; some rubber springs, which ensure the recentering of the system through their elastic stiffness.