Giorgio Zavarise

• Contact mechanics This research theme, which is the main one, has been studied first for the PhD Thesis. Starting from the analysis and mathematical representation of the contact surface roughness, both mechanical actions and heat flows are analyzed first on microscopic scale. This approach permitted to build macroscopic laws for mechanical and thermal exchange, with a close analogy with the constitutive laws of the continuum. Both the physical and computational aspects are considered within a robust and rigorous framework. The FE discretization technique of these contact laws was performed paying attention to the computational efficiency. For this purpose, both consistent linearization of the equation set, and non-consistent but rapidly converging algorithms have been suitably developed. This approach follows the mainstream developed at the Universities of Hannover (E. Stein, P. Wriggers) and Stanford (J. Simo), and requires a multi-disciplinary field knowledge, about mechanics, tribology, and computational mechanics of coupled problems. More in detail, the thermo-mechanical contact problem is a natural extension and complement of the usual mechanical contact one. It currently finds interesting applications in the aeronautical and space industries, nuclear power, forming and micro-electronics. Moreover, the research has been also extended to the field of electro-mechanical contact problems. The research activity in recent years has led to new techniques for solving contact problems and a new definition of the geometric parameters for the discretization of the surfaces. Scientific contributions have been given also with augmentation techniques, constitutive models (friction, delamination, comparison between micro-mechanical models), special techniques for rapid convergence, isogeometric approaches for an accurate modeling of the contact surfaces. A remarkable contribution has been given also in the field of contact between beams, with two papers that are nowadays a sort of starting and reference point for this research field. A contribution has been given also on the field of interactions between fracture mechanics and contact mechanics, with exploration of possible synergies, applications to the delamination problems, and the assessment of the accuracy of micromechanical contact models. This research experience, recognized at international level, has led to the invitation to the drafting of a chapter of the prestigious "Encyclopedia of Computational Mechanics", in collaboration with prof. P. Wriggers.
• Masonry structures A contribution has been given also in the field of numerical study of discrete masonry structures under static and dynamic loading. The numerical models have evidenced interesting aspects of the failure mechanisms for walls, columns and arches.
• Massive concrete castings The research deals with a model for the simulation of thermo-mechanical phenomena that take place during concrete hardening. The numerical model takes into account the interaction of environmental factors, such as wind, solar radiation, the degree of cloud cover and the heat removed from the surfaces of the castings, also in the presence of surface curing. The analysis of the mechanical behavior is devoted to avoid crack propagations due to thermal expansion/contraction. The study of thermal transients takes considers the construction phase of a gravity dam. The variations in shape of the structure, as well as the boundary conditions are fully considered. The effects of surface treatments are suitably modeled by identifying the mathematical model and operating the discretization by an appropriate boundary condition, developed and implemented on purpose.
• Structural problems in advanced technology fields All these researches have been carried out within a framework of international partnership. Effects of mechanical stresses on the optical fibers The highly topical issue concerns the influence of mechanical deformation on the efficiency of data transmission in optical fiber ribbons, since mall changes in geometry caused by residual stresses due to the production process can affect the efficiency significantly.
• Structural problems in advanced technology fields All these researches have been carried out within a framework of international partnership. Sub-atomic particles detectors The collaboration with “INFN - National Institute for Nuclear Physics – Section of Lecce” for the structural design of subatomic particles detectors started in 2011. The research activity has been devoted to structural problems of the detectors of: experiment Mu2e – a detector for “Direct Muons to Electron Conversion”, to be installed at Fermilab, Batavia, USA; experiment SuperB – a detector for” high-luminosity electron-positron collider”; to be installed at the Cabibbo Lab, Rome, Italy; experiment MEG – a new detector for “Muon to Electron plus Gamma experiment”, to be installed at the Paul Sherre Institute, Zurich, Switzerland.
• Structural problems in advanced technology fields All these researches have been carried out within a framework of international partnership. Technologies for thermonuclear fusion This activity deals with structural problems of a facility for the preliminary studies on controlled thermonuclear fusion. More in detail, the studies are related to the “RFX – Reversed Field eXperiment” machine, which is a toroidal vacuum chamber. The analyses were devoted to the support rings of the superconducting coils for the magnetic confinement of the plasma. The survey covered the study of unilateral contact between chamber and supporting rings. The machine has been built in 1991, and is now part of the facilities of the CNR – National Res. Center, in Padua. More recently a contribution has been given also for the design of the superconducting coils of the ITER project. In this case an electromechanical contact model has been suitably developed to study the mechanical and thermal effects at the contact points of the superconducting filaments.
• Structural problems in advanced technology fields All these researches have been carried out within a framework of international partnership. Technologies for newly developed optical astronomical instruments This research field concerns the feasibility study of the mechanical structure for a newly designed Large Binocular Telescope. Static and dynamic studies have been performed for the conceptual design of the support structure. The design, based on innovative criteria, satisfies the tight dynamic characteristics required for achieving a very high image quality. The project of the structure, supporting two mirrors 8.4 meters in diameter, has been performed in collaboration with the Astrophysical Observatory of Arcetri and the Steward Laboratory at the University of Tucson. The LBT telescope, (originally named “Columbus Telescope”) is now part of the Mount Graham International Observatory.
• Structures subjected to fire The non-linear thermomechanical analysis of two- and three-dimensional structures has been extended to steel structures subject to fire, investigating the thermal transient data and the effects of different types of insulating material adopted.

ERC sectors

SDG

• Effective member - IACM - International Association for Computational Mechanics, Spagna (2013-)
• Effective member - Gruppo Italiano di Meccanica Computazionale, Italia (2013-)
• Effective member - AIMETA - Associazione Italiana di Meccanica Teorica e Applicata, Italia (2013-)
• Fellow - IACM - International Association for Computational Mechanics, Spagna (2013-2022)
• Effective member - EUROMECH - European Mechanics Society, Paesi Bassi (2010-)

• COMPUTATIONAL MECHANICS (2011-), Scientific Committee member

• ICCCM 2017 - International Conference on Computational Contact Mechanics, Program chair
• ICCCM 2019 - International Conference on Computational Contact Mechanics, Program chair
• CMIS2018 - Contact Mechanics International Symposium, Program chair
• ICCCM 2015 - International Conference on Computational Contact Mechanics, Program chair
• GAMM 2015 - 86th Annual Meeting of the International Association of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics, Program chair
• ICCCM 2013 - International Conference on Computational Contact Mechanics, Program chair
• ICCCM 2011 - International Conference on Computational Contact Mechanics, Program chair
• TCCM 2011 - Trends & Challenges in Computational Mechanics, Program chair
• ICCCM 2009 - International Conference on Computational Contact Mechanics, Program chair

• INGEGNERIA CIVILE E AMBIENTALE, 2024/2025 (40. ciclo)
  Politecnico di TORINO
• INGEGNERIA CIVILE E AMBIENTALE, 2023/2024 (39. ciclo)
  Politecnico di TORINO
• INGEGNERIA CIVILE E AMBIENTALE, 2022/2023 (38. ciclo)
  Politecnico di TORINO
• INGEGNERIA CIVILE E AMBIENTALE, 2021/2022 (37. ciclo)
  Politecnico di TORINO
• INGEGNERIA CIVILE E AMBIENTALE, 2020/2021 (36. ciclo)
  Politecnico di TORINO
• INGEGNERIA DEI SISTEMI COMPLESSI, 2018/2019 (34. ciclo)
  Università del SALENTO
• INGEGNERIA DEI SISTEMI COMPLESSI, 2017/2018 (33. ciclo)
  Università del SALENTO
• INGEGNERIA DEI SISTEMI COMPLESSI, 2016/2017 (32. ciclo)
  Università del SALENTO
• INGEGNERIA DEI SISTEMI COMPLESSI, 2015/2016 (31. ciclo)
  Università del SALENTO
• INGEGNERIA DEI SISTEMI COMPLESSI, 2014/2015 (30. ciclo)
  Università del SALENTO
• INGEGNERIA DEI SISTEMI COMPLESSI, 2013/2014 (29. ciclo)
  Università del SALENTO
• INGEGNERIA MECCANICA ED INDUSTRIALE, 2010/2011 (26. ciclo)
  Università del SALENTO
• INGEGNERIA MECCANICA ED INDUSTRIALE, 2009/2010 (25. ciclo)
  Università del SALENTO
• INGEGNERIA DELLE STRUTTURE, 2006/2007 (22. ciclo)
  Politecnico di TORINO
• INGEGNERIA DELLE STRUTTURE, 2005/2006 (21. ciclo)
  Politecnico di TORINO
• INGEGNERIA DELLE STRUTTURE, 2004/2005 (20. ciclo)
  Politecnico di TORINO
• INGEGNERIA DELLE STRUTTURE, 2003/2004 (19. ciclo)
  Politecnico di TORINO

• Collegio di Ingegneria Elettrica ed Energetica. Componente
• Collegio di Ingegneria Matematica. Componente

PhD

• Discretizzazione FEM di problemi di contatto meccanico/termomeccanico. A.A. 2024/25, INGEGNERIA CIVILE E AMBIENTALE. Main teacher
• Una semplice introduzione al Metodo degli Elementi Finiti. A.A. 2024/25, INGEGNERIA CIVILE E AMBIENTALE. Main teacher

Master of Science

• Computational Thermomechanics. A.A. 2024/25, INGEGNERIA ENERGETICA E NUCLEARE. Titolare del corso
• Computational Thermomechanics. A.A. 2023/24, INGEGNERIA ENERGETICA E NUCLEARE. Titolare del corso
• Computational Thermomechanics. A.A. 2022/23, INGEGNERIA ENERGETICA E NUCLEARE. Titolare del corso
• Advanced structural and thermal mechanics. A.A. 2021/22, INGEGNERIA ENERGETICA E NUCLEARE. Titolare del corso
• Advanced structural and thermal mechanics. A.A. 2020/21, INGEGNERIA ENERGETICA E NUCLEARE. Titolare del corso
• Advanced structural and thermal mechanics. A.A. 2019/20, INGEGNERIA ENERGETICA E NUCLEARE. Titolare del corso

Bachelor of Science

• Scienza delle costruzioni. A.A. 2024/25, INGEGNERIA ENERGETICA. Titolare del corso
• Scienza delle costruzioni. A.A. 2023/24, INGEGNERIA ENERGETICA. Titolare del corso
• Scienza delle costruzioni. A.A. 2022/23, INGEGNERIA ENERGETICA. Titolare del corso
• Scienza delle costruzioni. A.A. 2021/22, INGEGNERIA ENERGETICA. Titolare del corso
• Scienza delle costruzioni. A.A. 2020/21, INGEGNERIA ENERGETICA. Titolare del corso
• Scienza delle costruzioni. A.A. 2019/20, INGEGNERIA ENERGETICA. Titolare del corso

Projects funded by competitive calls

• NUFRIC - NUMERICAL BASED MEDIUM LEVEL TRAINING ON INDUSTRIAL FRICTIONS PROBLEMS, (2003-2006) - Responsabile Scientifico
  Competitive calls

• Tecniche numeriche per l’imposizione delle condizioni di contatto (DISEG)
• Discretizzazione con tecniche isogeometriche (DISEG)
• Algoritmi di soluzione ed efficienza computazionale (DISEG)
• Legami costitutivi di contatto alla macro-, micro- e nanoscala (DISEG)
• Problemi di adesione, decoesione, delaminazione (DISEG)
• Problemi accoppiati (DISEG)

Projects funded by competitive calls

• Meccanica del contatto e meccanica della frattura: sinergie, interazioni e applicazioni, (2006-2008) - Responsabile Scientifico
  Nationally funded research - PRIN
• Aspetti fisici e computazionali nella meccanica del contatto fra solidi, (2003-2005) - Responsabile Scientifico
  Nationally funded research - PRIN
• Sviluppo di leggi costitutive di interfaccia multi-scala per fenomeni di contatto e attrito nei mezzi eterogenei, (2000-2002) - Responsabile Scientifico
  Nationally funded research - PRIN

Projects funded by commercial contracts

• Realizzazione dei casseri; setacciatura degli inerti di pietra leccese, nelle quantità necessarie per realizzare i campioni di pietra ricostruita, (2024-2025) - Responsabile Scientifico
  Consulting

• 42) De Lorenzis, L.; Temizer, I.; Wriggers, P.; Zavarise, G. (2011)
  A large deformation frictional contact formulation using NURBS-based isogeometric analysis. In: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, vol. 87, pp. 1278-1300. ISSN 0029-5981
  Contributo su Rivista
• De Lorenzis, L.; Wriggers, P.; Zavarise, G. (2012)
  A mortar formulation for 3D large deformation contact using NURBS-based isogeometric analysis and the augmented Lagrangian method. In: COMPUTATIONAL MECHANICS, vol. 49, pp. 1-20. ISSN 0178-7675
  Contributo su Rivista
• Wriggers, P.; Zavarise, Giorgio (1997)
  On contact between three-dimensional beams undergoing large deflections. In: COMMUNICATIONS IN NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, vol. 13, pp. 429-438. ISSN 1069-8299
  Contributo su Rivista
• Dimitri, R.; De Lorenzis, L.; Scott, M. A.; Wriggers, P.; Taylor, R. L.; Zavarise, G. (2014)
  Isogeometric large deformation frictionless contact using T-splines. In: COMPUTER METHODS IN APPLIED MECHANICS AND ENGINEERING, vol. 269, pp. 394-414. ISSN 0045-7825
  Contributo su Rivista
• Zavarise, Giorgio; Wriggers, P.; Stein, E.; Schrefler, B. A. (1992)
  Real contact mechanisms and finite element formulation - a coupled thermomechanical approach. In: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, vol. 35, pp. 767-785. ISSN 0029-5981
  Contributo su Rivista
• Dimitri, R.; De Lorenzis, L.; Zavarise, G. (2011)
  Numerical study on the dynamic behavior of masonry columns and arches on buttresses with the discrete element method. In: ENGINEERING STRUCTURES, vol. 33, pp. 3172-3188. ISSN 0141-0296
  Contributo su Rivista
• Zavarise, Giorgio; L., De Lorenzis (2009)
  Cohesive zone modelling of interfacial stresses in plated beams. In: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOLIDS AND STRUCTURES, vol. 46, pp. 4181-4191. ISSN 0020-7683
  Contributo su Rivista
• Dimitri, R.; Trullo, M.; De Lorenzis, L.; Zavarise, G. (2015)
  Coupled cohesive zone models for mixed-mode fracture: a comparative study. In: ENGINEERING FRACTURE MECHANICS, vol. 148, pp. 145-179. ISSN 0013-7944
  Contributo su Rivista
• Zavarise, Giorgio; P., Wriggers (2000)
  Contact with friction between beams in 3-D Space. In: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR NUMERICAL METHODS IN ENGINEERING, vol. 49, pp. 977-1006. ISSN 0029-5981
  Contributo su Rivista
• Zavarise, Giorgio; DE Lorenzis, Laura (2008)
  Modeling of mixed-mode debonding in the peel test applied to superficial reinforcements. In: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOLIDS AND STRUCTURES, vol. 45, pp. 5419-5436. ISSN 0020-7683
  Contributo su Rivista