CURRICULUM VITAE ENGLISH

Department of Engineering, University of Ferrara, Via Saragat 1, 44100 Ferrara, Italy. Phone: +39 (0)532 974911, Fax: +39 (0)532 974870, e-mail: gmilani@ing.unife.it

From December 2004 to present: Post doctoral researcher, Department of Engineering, University of Ferrara. His main interest is the numerical analysis of masonry walls in- and out-of-plane loaded by means of heterogeneous and homogenization approaches. Other areas of interest are the numerical determination of optimal multi-component polymeric solutions.

Education:

March 2005: Dr Gabriele Milani obtained his PhD degree (Summa cum laude) discussing a thesis entitled “Homogenization strategies for in- and out-of-plane loaded masonry wall”.

December 2001: Dr Gabriele Milani obtained his MSc degree (Summa cum laude) discussing a thesis in the field of masonry modelling entitled “Numerical models for the analysis of masonry walls out-of-plane loaded”.

Scientific collaborations:

From January 2002 to present: Scientific collaboration with Prof. Antonella Cecchi (IUAV University, Italy). The cooperation is focused on the following topics:

homogenization in the elastic range of both reinforced masonry with FRP strips and unreinforced masonry, in presence of in- and out-of-plane loads.

combined homogenization kinematic limit analysis for the determination of the ultimate strength of both running and English bond masonry walls out-of-plane loaded. In this framework, a Reissner-Mindlin limit analysis homogenized model (based on a compatible identification of the heterogeneous material) has been developed.

From November 2003 to present: Scientific collaboration with Prof. Paulo B. Lourenço (University of Minho, Portugal). During this period he visited University of Minho, Department of Civil Engineering (Campus de Azurem, Guimaraes, Portugal) twice (2003 and 2005). The cooperation is focused on the following topics:

evaluation of collapse loads for masonry walls subjected to in- and out-of-plane loads by means of combined homogenization and FE limit analysis techniques (both lower bound and upper bound approaches);

evaluation of failure mechanisms (glabal and local) and ultimate loads for entire masonry buildings subjected to horizontal loads (seismic action applied statically) by means of simple equilibrated and admissible micro-mechanical models of limit analysis and homogenization.

From January 2005 to present: Scientific collaboration with Prof. Renato S. Olivito (University of Calabria, Italy). The scientific activity is focused on the following argument:

analysis at collapse of masonry walls out-of-plane loaded by means of both heterogeneous and homogenized limit analysis approaches. In this context, several comparisons between numerical results and experimental data collected at the University of Calabria during the collaboration have been presented.

From September 2005 to present: Scientific collaboration with Prof. Elio Sacco (University of Cassino, Italy) and Dr. Tommaso Rotunno (University of Florence, Italy). The research has the following objective:

analysis at collapse of masonry walls FRP-reinforced and in-plane loaded. A model based on homogenization (two steps) and limit analysis has been developed. During the research, several comparisons between numerical models results and experimental data collected at the University of Florence have been performed.

Experiences in research centres abroad:

November 2002: Dresden University of Technology, Faculty of Architecture, Chair for Planning of Load Bearing Structures, Germany, Prof. W.Jaeger. During his visit he held a seminary entitled “Homogenization techniques and FE models”.

Autumn 2003: University of Minho, Department of Structural Engineering, Guimaraes, Portugal. Prof. P.B.Lourenço.

Spring 2005: University of Minho, Department of Structural Engineering, Guimaraes, Portugal. Prof. P.B.Lourenço.

October 2005: Czech Technical University in Prague, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Department of Mechanics, Prague, Czech Republic. Prof. Jiří Šejnoha. During his visit he held a seminary entitled: “Homogenization techniques for in- and out-of-plane loaded masonry walls”.

November 2007: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), IMAC, Laboratoire d'informatique et de mécanique appliquées à la construction. Prof. Jan Smith, Prof. Pierino Lestuzzi. During his visit he held a seminary entitled: “FE limit analysis strategies for masonry buildings: historical heritage rehabilitation and seismic upgrading with carbon fibres”.

Scientific interests keywords:

Specialist: masonry, historical constructions, structural analysis, limit analysis, FEM, homogenisation theory, FRP reinforcement, genetic algorithms (GA).

Generalist: theoretical and applied computational mechanics, structures, experimental testing, constitutive laws, associated and non associated plasticity.

Scientific interests and scientific activity:

Dr. Gabriele Milani scientific interests are mainly focused on masonry structures, in presence or without FRP reinforcement. One of the main topics studied by Dr. Gabriele Milani is the numerical evaluation of the ultimate strength of entire masonry buildings subjected to horizontal loads (seismic actions). Such an evaluation has been obtained by means of the structural application of novel micro-mechanical models based on the combined utilization of limit analysis theorems and homogenization concepts. In this framework, Dr. Gabriele Milani has developed several FE codes for the lower and upper bound limit analysis of plates (both Reissner-Mindlin and Kirchhoff-Love models), shells (rigid element with rigid-plastic interfaces, triangular elements with discontinuities of the velocity field at the interfaces [Sloan and Kleeman 1995], etc.), curved elements (analysis of vaults and cupolas), 3D elements (tetrahedrons with possible discontinuities at the interfaces, wedge-shaped elements, etc.). Both heterogeneous and homogenized approaches have been developed.

The background of his scientific activity is the mechanics of structures. The main subjects of his activity are the following:

1. Collapse analyses of entire masonry buildings or masonry walls subjected to horizontal actions (earthquakes), in-plane loads and out-of-plane loads. The analyses are performed making use of combined homogenization and limit analysis techniques. Heterogeneous approaches are also adopted for the analysis of single and multi-leaf masonry walls.

2. Development and application of novel micro-mechanical models based on equilibrium and admissibility (llower bound approaches) or on compatible fields of velocities (upper bound approaches) for the determination of masonry strength domains. Both the cases of in- and out-of-plane loads are investigated. The important case of combined membrane and flexural effects have been studied. Two different masonry patterns (running bond and English bond) have been considered in the applications.

3. Development and study of new numerical techniques based on homogenization for the analysis of unreinforced masonry structures out-of-plane loaded (elastic range).

4. Development and study of new numerical techniques based on homogenization for the analysis of FRP (Fibre Reinforced Polymers) reinforced masonry structures in- and out-of-plane loaded (elastic range).

5. Development and study of new numerical tools based on the combined utilization of limit analysis and homogenization for the determination of collapse loads of masonry walls in- and out-of-plane loaded (Kirchhoff-Love, Reissner-Mindlin and 3D models; homogenized and heterogeneous models).

6. Development and study of numerical tools based on the combined utilization of limit analysis and homogenization for the determination of collapse loads of FRP reinforced masonry walls in-plane loaded.

7. Development of FE numerical codes for the upper and lower bound limit analysis (homogenized and heterogeneous) of masonry walls in- and out-of-plane loaded (with combined dissipation at the interfaces between contiguous elements and inside each element [triangular] or only at the interfaces between adjoining elements [triangles, tetrahedrons, wedges, 6-nodes curved triangular elements]).

8. Development of new non standard genetic algorithms (GA) with elitist zooming strategy for the analysis of ternary mixtures of polymers partially miscible.

9. Implementation of models for the analysis at collapse of entire buildings with mechanical properties of the constituent materials assumed as random variables (Monte Carlo simulations).

Experience as a Reviewer:

Reviewer for the following International Journals: Engineering Fracture Mechanics (1), Computers and Structures (4), Engineering Structures (2), Structural Durability and Health Monitoring (1), JZUS Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE (1), Journal of Applied Polymer Science (2), Applied Mathematical Modelling (1).

In the editorial board of the Open Civil Engineering Journal (Bentham publisher).

Teaching activity:

Dr. Gabriele Milani is Professor (or was Professor) of the following courses:

“Mechanics of structures”. Year 2005/2006. University of Ferrara, Faculty of Civil Engineering, MSc Degree (54 Hours).

“Exercises of statics”. Year 2005/2006 University of Ferrara, Faculty of Architecture, MSc Degree (50 Hours).

“Exercises of statics”. Year 2006/2007 University of Ferrara, Faculty of Architecture, MSc Degree (50 Hours).

“Non linear analysis of structures”. Year 2006/2007. University of Ferrara, Faculty of Civil Engineering, MSc Degree (54 Hours).

“Non linear analysis of structures”. Year 2007/2008. University of Ferrara, Faculty of Civil Engineering, MSc Degree (54 Hours).

Dr. Gabriele Milani collaborates on the teaching activity (assistant) for the following courses:

University of Ferrara, Faculty of Civil Engineering, MSc Degree for the course

“Strength of materials” (from 2002 to present).

University IUAV of Venice, Faculty of Architecture for the following courses:

“Structural mechanics I” (from 2006 to present)

“Applications of structural mechanics” (2 modules, year 2006/2007)

MSc Degree Theses tutoring:

Dr. Gabriele Milani has been tutor of the following MSc Degree Theses:

1. Enrico Milani. Modelli agli elementi finiti per analisi al collasso di travi parete in muratura in presenza di rinforzi di C-FRP. 1° Relatore Prof. Antonio Tralli. 2° Relatore Ing. Gabriele Milani. [FE models for the analysis at collapse of C-FRP reinforced masonry walls].

2. Francesco Barigozzi. Confronto fra diversi metodi di analisi di strutture in muratura in zona sismica: il caso I.P.S.S.A.R. “Orio Vergani” succ.le “Varano” sito in Ferrara. 1° Relatore Prof. Antonio Tralli. 2° Relatore Ing. Gabriele Milani. [Comparison among different analysis methods for masonry structures in seismic zone: the I.P.S.S.A.R. “Orio Vergani” succ.le “Varano” School (Ferrara) case].

3. Massimo Garutti. Simulazione agli elementi finiti del comportamento dinamico di pareti in muratura. Relatore Prof. Antonio Tralli. Correlatore Ing. Gabriele Milani. A.A.2005/2006. [FE simulations of the dynamic behaviour of masonry walls].

Consultancy activity:

Over 25 consultancy projects in structures in Italy, diagnosis and strengthening design.

List of Publications:

Journal papers (JP)

[01.JP] Cecchi A., Milani G., Tralli A. (2004). “ In-plane loaded CFRP reinforced masonry walls: mechanical characteristics by homogenisation procedures.” Composites Science and Technology, 64, pp.2097-2112.

[02.JP] Cecchi A., Milani G., Tralli A. (2005). “Validation of analytical multiparameter homogenization models for out-of-plane loaded masonry walls by means of the finite element method.” ASCE Journal of Engineering Mechanics, 131(2), pp.185-198.

[03.JP] Cecchi A., Milani G., Tralli A. (2005). “Out-of-plane loaded CFRP reinforced masonry walls: mechanical characteristics by homogenization procedures.” Composites Science and Technology, 65, pp. 1480-1500.

[04.JP] Milani G., Lourenço P.B., Tralli A. (2006). “Homogenised limit analysis of masonry walls. Part I: failure surfaces.” Computers and Structures 84(3-4), pp. 166-180.[Most downloaded articles TOP 25: CAS Jan-Mar 2006. Ranking: 21]

[05.JP] Milani G., Lourenço P.B., Tralli A. (2006). “Homogenised limit analysis of masonry walls. Part II: structural examples.” Computers and Structures 84(3-4), pp. 181-195.

[06.JP] Milani G., Rotunno T., Sacco E., Tralli A. (2006). “Failure load of FRP strengthened masonry walls: experimental results and numerical models.” Structural Durability and Health Monitoring 2(1), pp. 29-50.

[07.JP] Milani G., Lourenço P.B., Tralli A. (2006). “Homogenization approach for the limit analysis of out-of-plane loaded masonry walls.” ASCE Journal of Structural Engineering, 132(10), pp. 1650-1663.

[08.JP] Cecchi A., Milani G., Tralli A. (2007). “A Reissner-Mindlin limit analysis model for out-of-plane loaded running bond masonry walls”. International Journal of Solids and Structures, 44(5), pp. 1438-1460.

[09.JP] Milani G., Zuccarello F.A., Olivito R.S., Tralli A. (2007). "Heterogeneous upper-bound finite element limit analysis of masonry walls out-of-plane loaded". Computational Mechanics, 40 (6), pp. 911-931.

[10.JP] Milani G., Milani F. (2007). "A Genetic Algorithm for the determination of binodal curves in ternary systems Polymer / Liquid(1) / Liquid(2) And Polymer(1) / Polymer(2) / Solvent". Journal Polymer Science, Computational Chemistry, 28 (13), pp. 2203-2215.

[11.JP] Milani G., Lourenço P.B., Tralli A. (2007). "3D Homogenized limit analysis of masonry buildings under horizontal loads". Engineering Structures, 29 (11), pp. 3134-3148.

[12.JP] Lourenço P.B., Milani G., Zucchini A., Tralli A. (2007). “The analysis of masonry structures: review and possibilities of homogenisation techniques”, Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering, 34 (11), pp. 1443-1457.

[13.JP] Cecchi A., Milani G. (2008). “A kinematic limit analysis model for thick English bond masonry walls”, International Journal of Solids and Structures, 45(5), pp. 1302-1331.

[14.JP] Milani G. (2008). “3D upper bound limit analysis of multi-leaf masonry walls”, International Journal of Mechanical Sciences, in press.

[15.JP] Mallardo V., Malvezzi R., Milani E., Milani G. (2008). “Seismic vulnerability of historical masonry buildings: a case study in Ferrara”. Engineering Structures, in press.

[16.JP] Grande E., Milani G., Sacco E. (2008). “Modelling and analysis of FRP-strengthened masonry panels”, Engineering Structures, in press.

[17.JP] Zuccarello F.A., Milani G., Olivito R.S., Tralli A. (2008). “A numerical and experimental analysis of brickwork panels laterally loaded”, under review.

[18.JP] Milani G., Benasciutti D. (2008). “Homogenized limit analysis of masonry structures with random input properties: polynomial Response Surface approximation and Monte Carlo simulations”, under review.

International conferences (IC)

[01.IC] Milani G., Olivito R.S., Tralli A., Zuccarello F.A. (2007). "Numerical analysis of masonry walls out-of-plane loaded". In: Proc. EUROSIM 07, VI Eurosim Congress on Modelling and Simulation, Ljubljana, Slovenia, September 2007.

[02.IC] Milani G., Lourenço P.B. (2007). "Modeling masonry with limit analysis finite elements: review, applications and new directions". In: Proc. CC AICC 07, The Eleventh International Conference on Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering Computing, St. Julians, Malta, September 2007. [Invited lecture]

[03.IC] Milani G., Lourenço P.B. (2007). "Heterogeneous and homogenized FE models for the limit analysis of out-of-plane loaded masonry walls”. In: Proc. IX International Conference on Computational Plasticity COMPLAS IX, Barcelona, September 2007.

[04.IC] Milani E., Milani G., Tralli A. (2007). "Homogenization and limit analysis for masonry shells". In: Proc. ANASS 07, Advanced Numerical Analysis of Shell-like Structures, Zagreb, Croatia, September 2007.

[05.IC] Milani G., Cecchi A., Milani E., Tralli A. (2007). “FE limit analysis strategies for the analysis of masonry structures in- and out-of-plane loaded”. USNCCM IX San Francisco, USA, July 2007.

[06.IC] Lourenço P.B., Zucchini A., Milani G., Tralli A. (2006). "Homogenisation approaches for structural analysis of masonry structures". In: Proc. SAHC 2006, V Conference on Structural Analysis of Historical Constructions, New Delhi, India, November 2006. [Invited lecture]

[07.IC] Milani G., Lourenço P.B., Tralli A. (2006). “3D homogenized limit analysis of masonry buildings subjected to horizontal loads”. In: Proc. III ECCM Congress, Lisbon, Portugal, June 2006.

[08.IC] Cecchi A., Milani G., Tralli A. (2006). “Limit analysis of out-of-plane loaded running bond masonry walls under Mindlin-Reissner plate hypotheses.” In: Proc. III ECCM Congress, Lisbon, Portugal, June 2006.

[09.IC] Milani G., Lourenço P.B., Tralli A. (2005). “A micro-mechanical model for the homogenized limit analysis of out-of-plane loaded masonry walls.” In: Proc. CC 2005 and AICC 2005, Rome, Italy, September 2005.

[10.IC] Milani G., Alessandri C. (2004). “Non-linear Analysis of Historical Masonry Walls: a Homogenisation Procedure and F.E.M. Models.” In: Proc. WCCM VI/APCOM ’04 Congress, Beijing, China, 2004.

[11.IC] Cecchi A., Milani G., Tralli A. (2003). “3D asymptotic model for CFRP reinforced masonry walls.” In: Proc. Computer Methods in Mechanics CMM 2003, Gliwice, Poland, 2003.

National conferences (NC)

[01.NC] Cecchi A., Milani G. (2007). “A homogenization kinematic FE model for two-wythes English bond masonry walls”. To appear in: Proc. XVIII AIMETA Congress, Brescia, Italy, September 2005.

[02.NC] Milani G., Tralli A. (2007). “Heterogeneous and homogenized FE limit analysis of out-of-plane loaded masonry walls”. In: Proc. GMA 2007-AIMETA Trento, February 2007.

[03.NC] Milani G., Benasciutti D. (2006). “Un approccio probabilistico per la valutazione della vulnerabilità sismica di edifici in muratura”. In: Proc. XXXV AIAS Congress, Ancona, Italy, September 2006.

[04.NC] Mallardo V., Malvezzi R., Milani E., Milani G. (2006). “2-D non-linear seismic analysis of a historical masonry building in Ferrara.” In: Proc. XVI GIMC Congress, Bologna, Italy, June 2006.

[05.NC] Milani G., Lourenço P.B., Tralli A. (2006). “A kinematic limit analysis approach for masonry buildings: in- and out-of-plane failure mechanisms”. In: Proc. XVI GIMC Congress, Bologna, Italy, June 2006.

[06.NC] Milani G., Rotunno T., Sacco E., Tralli A. (2005). “Sulla capacità portante di pannelli in muratura fibrorinforzati: confronto fra modellazione numerica e risultati sperimentali.” In: Proc. XXXIV AIAS Congress, Milan, Italy, September 2005.

[07.NC] Milani G., Lourenço P.B., Tralli A. (2005). “A simple homogenized micro mechanical model for the analysis at the collapse of out-of-plane loaded masonry walls.” In: Proc. XVII AIMETA Congress, Florence, Italy, September 2005.

[08.NC] Cecchi A., Milani G., Tralli A. (2004). “Limit equilibrium state for FRP reinforced masonry walls under in plane actions.” In: Proc. Mechanics of Masonry Structures Strengthened with FRP-materials: Modeling, Testing, Design, Control, Venice, Italy, 2004.

[09.NC] Milani G., Lourenço P.B., Tralli A. (2004). “A simple micro-mechanical model for the homogenised limit analysis of masonry walls.” In: Proc. XV GIMC Congress, Genova, Italy, 2004.

[10.NC] Milani G., Tralli A. (2003). “Un semplice modello micromeccanico per la derivazione delle equazioni costitutive di pareti in muratura.” In: Proc. XVI AIMETA Congress, Ferrara, Italy, 2003.

[11.NC] Cecchi A., Milani G., Tralli A. (2003). “Un modello per murature rinforzate con FRP: analisi del comportamento meccanico e sensitività di pannelli murari al variare del posizionamento del rinforzo.” In: Proc. XVI AIMETA Congress, Ferrara, Italy, September 2003.

[12.NC] Cecchi A., Milani G., Tralli A. (2002). “A plate asymptotic model for unreinforced and FRP reinforced masonry walls.” In: Proc. XIV GIMC Congress and Third joint conference of Italian group of computational mechanic and Ibero-Latin American association of computational methods in Engineering, Giulianova (TE), Italy, 2002.

PhD Thesis (PhDT)

[1.PhDT] Milani G. (2004). “Homogenization techniques for in- and out-of-plane loaded masonry walls”. PhD Thesis, Ferrara, December 2004.

Internal reports (IR)

[1.IR] Milani G., Tralli A. (2004). “A micro-mechanical model for the homogenized limit analysis of out-of-plane loaded masonry walls”. Report 130 Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Università di Ferrara, December 2004.