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Web Site: http://www.nosaitaca.it/

The "Mechanics of Materials and Structures" Laboratory carries out research, software development, and consulting in the field of continuum mechanics, with a particular focus on structural engineering. The main research subjects are

Computational solid mechanics
Development of mathematical models, numerical methods, and software for modeling the thermo-mechanical behavior of solids with a view toward engineering applications. The models studied and the algorithms formulated have been implemented in the finite element code for nonlinear analyses NOSA, entirely developed by the members of the Laboratory.

Mechanics of masonry structures
Development of mechanical models and software for the structural analysis of ancient masonry constructions. In particular, the NOSA-ITACA code (available at www.nosaitaca.it) allows for modeling the nonlinear behavior of masonry constructions under static and dynamic loads, by taking into account the material's inability to withstand tensile stresses.

Structural health monitoring of historic buildings
Structural monitoring of historical buildings through sensor networks, and numerical tools for dynamic identification, finite element model updating, and damage detection. The Laboratory is equipped with some seismic stations for continuous ambient vibration tests.