top of page

.RESEARCH

DESIGN AND OPTIMIZATION OF SHELLS AND SPATIAL STRUCTURES

Under loads, beyond light: Structural Shaping and Optimization

​

description (EN) 

PhD course (20 hours / 4 cfu).

The course aims to offer an analysis of the most important realizations, in the field of space structures, large span roofs and shells, regarding, at the same time, the buildings of the 50-70s, and the most important realizations with respect to nowadays architectures in Italy and all over the World. Through a detailed analysis of the modeling and verification methods, the course purposes to explain, the different approaches, progressively proposed, for the calculation of shell and spatial structures. For this motivation, the form-finding and the successively validation phase, for structures of this type, are presented. The course, in addition, aims to provide a critical point of view of the different methods introduced for the design of lightweight structures, firstly, considering the models employed for the realizations using traditional materials and successively evaluating atypical and futuristic prototypes. In these last cases, the use of sustainable and eco-friendly materials (timber and bamboo) and the design of transportable structures in the aerospace applications will be explored. The form-finding processes (FFp), such as the dynamic relaxation method, the particle spring model, the truss network analysis, etc. are illustrated together with their principles and their differences for the FFp of vaults, grid shells and active bending structures (FFp will be implemented by Rhinoceros, Grasshopper, Visual-Nastran 4D, etc.). The calculation methods and the shape generating procedures for tensegrity and origami structures will be also addressed in their fundamental outlines. The structural optimization of shells and spatial structures will be evaluated by investigating the main and most innovative methods based on the parametric and topological approaches, also by the use of NURBS surfaces. The course, finally, get the scope of identifying the most important validation procedures for these structures with respect to the criteria of local and non-local instability analysis of shells and vaults. The possible instability and coupled instability phenomenon will be studied through the application of linear and non-linear FEM models. In particular, the course will also provide an overview on the current retrofitting techniques and permanent monitoring systems, currently in use, in spatial and shell structures normally employed to cover public spaces such as squares and airports.

 

organisation

SCuDO(doctoral school) of the Politecnico di Torino.

 

coordinator of the course 

Dr. Amedeo Manuello Bertetto PhD (Aggregate Professor of Structural Mechanics) / Dept. of Structural Geotechnical and
Building Engineering

​

status

14-05.2021-25.06.2021 completed // pass with merit

​

more info

Portale della didattica (Politecnico di Torino)

Nuovo logo POLITO.jpg
bottom of page