Robustness plays a relevant role in the capacity of a structure to sustain abnormal loads
or to deal with unexpected events with large effects, such as explosions and terroristic
attacks. Such situations on dams may have extremely large consequences. For buildings,
the design approach that best implements robustness concepts is represented by the so
called “Consequence Based Design”: even if nothing is known about the cause, selective
element removals and extreme load on the structure are modeled, and their effects are
determined with respect to progressive collapse and damage arrest.
In the paper we try to set-up a “Consequence Based Assessment” of a typical example of
a gravity dam built between the ‘30s and ‘40s of the last century in the northwestern
Italian Alps. A simplified model of the structure is adopted. Removal of parts of the dam
cross-section is assumed to occur: the effects of the extent of damage is discussed on the
bases of the tension generated within the body of the dam
Abstract Robustness plays a relevant role in the capacity of a structure to sustain abnormal loads
or to deal with unexpected events with large effects, such as explosions and terroristic [...]
Abstract The Italian Committee on Large Dams has established a forum for young engineers to overcome the challenges of a generational gap in experience.
Abstract The Italian Committee on Large Dams has established a forum for young engineers to overcome
the challenges of a generational gap in experience.
This paper deals with the issue of structural collapse considering an analogy between ductile-brittle transition of materials, taking into account the current literature which also considers the number of fragility and the stress intensification factor in the presence of crack, with extension on a larger scale involving framed structures subjected to increasing vertical loads. It is evaluated the ductile-fragile transition in relation to concrete frames with different structural hierarchy (2x2, 5x5, 11x11).
Abstract This paper deals with the issue of structural collapse considering an analogy between ductile-brittle transition of materials, taking into account the current literature which [...]
This paper deals with the issue of structural collapse considering an analogy between ductile-brittle transition of materials, taking into account the current literature which also considers the number of fragility and the stress intensification factor in the presence of crack, with extension on a larger scale involving framed structures subjected to increasing vertical loads. It is evaluated the ductile-fragile transition in relation to concrete frames with different structural hierarchy (2x2, 5x5, 11x11).
Abstract This paper deals with the issue of structural collapse considering an analogy between ductile-brittle transition of materials, taking into account the current literature which [...]
Robustness plays a relevant role in the capacity of a structure to sustain abnormal loads
or to deal with unexpected events with large effects, such as explosions and terroristic
attacks. Such situations on dams may have extremely large consequences. For buildings,
the design approach that best implements robustness concepts is represented by the so
called “Consequence Based Design”: even if nothing is known about the cause, selective
element removals and extreme load on the structure are modeled, and their effects are
determined with respect to progressive collapse and damage arrest.
In the paper we try to set-up a “Consequence Based Assessment” of a typical example of
a gravity dam built between the ‘30s and ‘40s of the last century in the northwestern
Italian Alps. A simplified model of the structure is adopted. Removal of parts of the dam
cross-section is assumed to occur: the effects of the extent of damage is discussed on the
bases of the tension generated within the body of the dam.
Abstract Robustness plays a relevant role in the capacity of a structure to sustain abnormal loads
or to deal with unexpected events with large effects, such as explosions and terroristic
attacks. [...]
Robustness plays a relevant role in the capacity of a structure to sustain abnormal loads
or to deal with unexpected events with large effects, such as explosions and terroristic
attacks. Such situations on dams may have extremely large consequences. For buildings,
the design approach that best implements robustness concepts is represented by the so
called “Consequence Based Design”: even if nothing is known about the cause, selective
element removals and extreme load on the structure are modeled, and their effects are
determined with respect to progressive collapse and damage arrest.
In the paper we try to set-up a “Consequence Based Assessment” of a typical example of
a gravity dam built between the ‘30s and ‘40s of the last century in the northwestern
Italian Alps. A simplified model of the structure is adopted. Removal of parts of the dam
cross-section is assumed to occur: the effects of the extent of damage is discussed on the
bases of the tension generated within the body of the dam.
1
Abstract Robustness plays a relevant role in the capacity of a structure to sustain abnormal loads
or to deal with unexpected events with large effects, such as explosions and terroristic
attacks. [...]
This thesis is divided into two parts: in the first part the collapse of the WTC1, WTC 2 (Twin Towers) and WTC 7 buildings following the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001 is analysed. In the second part, the collapse type and strength of frame buildings with different topological characteristics. What links the two parts is structural robustness.
Below is an overview of the work with a description of the topic covered in each Chapter.
Chapter 1: description of the structural and fire protection characteristics of the WTC 1, WTC 2 and WTC 7 buildings.
Chapter 2: timeline of the terrorist events of September 11, 2001.
Chapter 3: description of the types of fire, the performance of structures and the behavior of the main building materials (steel, concrete) to fire.
Chapter 4: analysis of the main hypotheses of the collapse of the Twin Towers present in the literature.
Chapter 5: definition of structural robustness, structural toughness, vulnerability. Description of project strategies to prevent progressive collapses.
Chapter 6: measurement of the structural strength of buildings with a reinforced concrete frame structure. through Discrete Element simulations (DEM).
Chapter 7: discussion of progressive collapse due to impacts from an analytical and bibliographical point of view.
Abstract This thesis is divided into two parts: in the first part the collapse of the WTC1, WTC 2 (Twin Towers) and WTC 7 buildings following the terrorist attacks of 11 September [...]
Dam Engineering Conference Proceedings 
Italy Dams Bibliography 
