RESEARCH

Structural Monitoring and Control

Technologies and methodologies for monitoring structures and infrastructure are essential in several applications, including dynamic identification, model updating, damage detection, and reliability assessment. Past and current research in this field focuses on the dynamic characterization of architectural heritage, buildings, bridges, critical structural components, and vibration mitigation devices. Specifically, for vibration control applications, research extends to the analysis and optimal design of passive devices, with emphasis on seismic applications. Moreover, attention is given to emerging needs in structural monitoring and control applications, which demand miniaturized wireless nodes that either do not require electrical energy or can store energy without battery replacement. Consequently, studies in this field also explore energy harvesting systems from ambient vibrations and passive acoustic wave devices, such as surface acoustic wave sensors. Research about structural monitoring and control employs both numerical approaches (including computational intelligence and machine learning techniques) and analytical methods, supported by laboratory experiments and in-situ tests. Overall, key research interests within the framework of structural monitoring and control are the following :

• sensing systems for structural monitoring;

• dynamic identification;

• diagnostic of civil structures and infrastructures;

• passive devices for vibrations control of structures.

Structural Concrete

Research in structural concrete primarily focuses on the analysis and design of reinforced, pre-stressed, and post-tensioned concrete members, as well as concrete-filled steel tubes and composite truss-reinforced steel-concrete beams. Both static and dynamic loading conditions are examined, along with environmental effects, particularly deterioration caused by corrosion. Numerical analysis of concrete structures is conducted using finite element, fiber element, and meshfree methods, complemented by multiphysics simulations and data-driven methodologies (including computational intelligence and machine learning techniques). Additionally, the research is integrated by experimental tests and employes analytical approaches. In summary, key research interests within the field of structural concrete include:

• • reinforced concrete structures;

  • concrete-filled steel tubes;

  • truss-reinforced composite steel-concrete beams.