Italian Workshop on 

Shell and Spatial Structures

Gabriele Milani 

Politecnico di Milano

Biography

Gabriele Milani, Eng. PhD, is Full Professor of Structural Mechanics at the Department of Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering, Technical University of Milan, Italy. Previously Associate (2014-2019) and Assistant Professor (2008-2014) in the same university. Chair professor at Yangzhou University, PRC (2019-2020), visiting at Newcastle University, UK (2016, 2017) and IIT Bombay, India (2022). His scientific interests are manyfold and include masonry modelling and experimentation, seismic engineering, preservation of historical constructions, timber, limit analysis, innovative strengthening with composite materials, Structural Health Monitoring, genetic algorithms (GA), rubber vulcanization and elastomeric seismic isolation. He published more than 300 papers in high-impact international journals in different fields of structural mechanics, he edited several books and co-authored many book chapters, he was invited as keynote speaker in internationally recognized conferences and co-chaired the 18th International Masonry Conference in 2018. He will co-chair the next IB2MaC in 2024 (Birmingham, UK). He is the first author in Scopus under the keyword “Masonry”. He is EB member in both high-reputation journals and international congresses, he was awarded a Most Cited Author Award for a paper in Computers & Structures, a Telford Premium and a K.J. Bathe Award.

Two novel lower and upper bound 3D distinct element limit analysis models for masonry domes and vaults

Two innovative approaches in limit analysis, one static and one kinematic, belonging to the wide family of the Distinct Element DE method, for the evaluation of the ultimate behaviour of masonry vaults and domes are comprehensively reviewed. The lower bound approach is a DE model with discretization of the domain through hexahedron elements and quadrilateral interfaces where all the inelastic deformation takes place. The particular case of a material unable to withstand tensile stresses is also deduced. The upper bound limit analysis model is adaptive and relies into a discretization with 3D inifinitely resistant NURBS volumes, whose shape can be progressively changed to reproduce with high fidelity the actual failure mechanism active. Adaptation is carried out with meta-heuristic algorithms. Several examples of major relevance are discussed, including arches and vaults with complex geometry belonging to the cultural heritage.