Advanced methods for masonry structural analysis and metamaterial design

The project is structured into two research lines. The first concerns theanalysis of masonry structures and aims to develop models and algorithms for safety assessment, with particularattention to thrusting systems such as arches, vaults and arch bridges, using methods based on limit analysis. Theload-bearing capacity of the structures, the effects of support settlements and collapse mechanisms will beexamined. The second line focuses on the study of metamaterials through the design of units and lattices withprogrammable nonlinear responses, aimed at developing bistable, multistable or high-performance structures. Inparticular, metamaterials inspired by tensegrity and origami structures will be investigated using analytical andnumerical models. The modelling activities will be complemented by additive manufacturing and experimentaltesting to validate the developed models