Experimentation and testing of the structures

Course contents

1. Principles of general metrology
   Metrology and metrological entities, systems of units of measurement, measurements, measurement systems and information processing, transducers, metrological characteristics of a device, errors. The elaboration of the experimental results. Probability principles for the interpretation of experimental data.
2. Measurement tools
   Force measurement, dynamometers. Strain measurement, strain gauges. Measurement of deformation in plane and in space. Machines for laboratory tests on materials and structures.
3. Experimental tests for the qualification of materials
   Mechanical characterization tests of ductile and fragile materials: concrete, steel, bricks, masonry, wood, composite materials, glass. The regulations.
4. Determination of the resistance of the materials in place
   Non-destructive tests on concrete in situ, destructive tests on hardened concrete, checks on concrete. Non-destructive tests and controls on steel structures. Tests on masonry structures.
5. The testing of the structures
   Static testing and administrative testing. The phases of the static test: acceptance of the assignment, test visits and test certificate. Tests on structures for static testing. Load tests on floors, bridges, foundation piles.
   Calculation of the experimental deformations of the structures and comparison with the theoretical ones.
   Monitoring of structures.

Reading/Bibliography

• “Experimental Mechanics” A. Bray – V. Vicentini, Ed. Levrotto & Bella – Turin.
• "Testing and rehabilitation of the structures" Bruno Barbarito, Utet.
• “Measurement systems, Application and design” EO Doebelin, McGraw-Hill, Kogakusha, Ltd., Tokyo.

Copies of specially developed material will be provided to students.