Research database

Ageing plays a key role in the management of the infrastructural heritage, with a wide range of consequences spanning from the safety of users to the economic costs, from the reparation techniques to the inconveniences and delays due to works. Knowing the current state of a manufact turns out to be a key desiderata for Authorities. In this Research Project, the problem of ageing and degradation of infrastructures will be studied through a hierarchical methodology, i.e., considering the scale of the material, of the structural element and of different infrastructure (e.g., bridge, large roof, etc). The target of the project is modelling the influence of ageing and degradation on the mechanical performances of materials and, thus, of the whole manufact, regardless of the origin of damage (e.g. physical or chemical attack, corrosion, fatigue, pitting, fire,..). Currently, Guidelines and Codes do not include specific indication for the modelling rules of ageing and degradation on existing civil structures. The approach normally aims at reaching a certain "level of knowledge" of the real mechanical performances of an infrastructure by means of destructive or nondestructive tests on materials and elements. Predictive degradation laws are still at the research level, showing poor relations with experiments at the real scale and practically no outputs for reliable engineering calculations and robust structural assessment. Recent collapses of bridges testify the need for a more consistent approach to the assessment of existing infrastructures. The aim of this project is to develop physically-based reliable models for ageing and degradation of ordinary or prestressed reinforced concrete and steel manufacts, including bridges, viaducts and large roofs