- Barcelona, Spain
- Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from UPC-BarcelonaTech (1996). Part-time associate professor at this university during the... morePh.D. in Civil Engineering from UPC-BarcelonaTech (1996). Part-time associate professor at this university during the period 1995-2003, lecturer at the University (assistant doctor) between 2005 -2007 and Associate Professor since 2007, teaching at the undergraduate and master's degree courses at the Civil Engineering School of Barcelona and at the Telecommunications and Aerospace Engineering of Castelldefels, both at the UPC. Research and technology transfer on issues related to the resistant evaluation and conservation of existing buildings, analysis and design of tunnel linings and floating wind turbine support structures. His research career, based largely on the combination and integration of experimental and computational techniques, has been mainly oriented towards the following lines of research:• Techniques of non-destructive inspection (NDT) or very little destructive (MDT)• Experimental analysis of structures• Techniques for the monitoring of structures• Mechanics of fiber reinforced concrete structures• Mechanics of brick and stone construction structures• Advanced methods for computational analysis and numerical simulation of the resistant behavior of structures• Analysis and design of tunnel linings• Analysis and design of floating structures to support marine wind turbines and of mooring systems for floating structures.The new experimental and computational techniques developed for the analysis of the safety of existing structures, as well as innovative solutions for conservation and reinforcement have been applied in the study and restoration of a significant number of real buildings and heritage buildings. Experimental techniques on concrete with fibers have led to new standardized tests on this material.Researcher in 8 national research projects (4 during the last 10 years and leader in two of them). UPC leader of the Innonergy project AFOSP and researcher in European projects NIKER and Sustainable Bridges. Inventor of four granted patents.(Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from UPC-BarcelonaTech (1996). Part-time associate professor at this university during the period 1995-2003, lecturer at the University (assistant doctor) between 2005 -2007 and Associate Professor since 2007, teaching at the undergraduate and master's degree courses at the Civil Engineering School of Barcelona and at the Telecommunications and Aerospace Engineering of Castelldefels, both at the UPC. Research and technology transfer on issues related to the resistant evaluation and conservation of existing buildings, analysis and design of tunnel linings and floating wind turbine support structures. His research career, based largely on the combination and integration of experimental and computational techniques, has been mainly oriented towards the following lines of research:• Techniques of non-destructive inspection (NDT) or very little destructive (MDT)• Experimental analysis of structures• Techniques for the monitoring of structures• Mechanics of fiber reinforced concrete structures• Mechanics of brick and stone construction structures• Advanced methods for computational analysis and numerical simulation of the resistant behavior of structures• Analysis and design of tunnel linings• Analysis and design of floating structures to support marine wind turbines and of mooring systems for floating structures.The new experimental and computational techniques developed for the analysis of the safety of existing structures, as well as innovative solutions for conservation and reinforcement have been applied in the study and restoration of a significant number of real buildings and heritage buildings. Experimental techniques on concrete with fibers have led to new standardized tests on this material.Researcher in 8 national research projects (4 during the last 10 years and leader in two of them). UPC leader of the Innonergy project AFOSP and researcher in European projects NIKER and Sustainable Bridges. Inventor of four granted patents.)edit
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Research Interests: Engineering, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Nonlinear dynamics, Advanced Materials, and 13 moreStructural Analysis, Dynamic Load Balancing, Masonry, Displacement, FORMULATION, Seismic Analysis, Application, Equation of Motion, Constitutive model, Time Domain, Complex Structure, Constitutive Equation, and Seismic Load
A recent survey showed that 40% of existing rail network bridges in Europe are masonry arches. More than 60% of those bridges are over 100 years old and still carry ever increasing levels of loading and increasing volumes of traffic. Due... more
A recent survey showed that 40% of existing rail network bridges in Europe are masonry arches. More than 60% of those bridges are over 100 years old and still carry ever increasing levels of loading and increasing volumes of traffic. Due to the constantly increasing weight of rail traffic there is increasing demand for better understanding of their life expectancy and fatigue limits. It is imperative that the bridge stock is not adversely affected by these changes in the loading regime and that appropriate assessment, modelling, repair and strengthening techniques are available. This background document is an attempt to address and solve the above questions.To this end, the document is divided in the following parts: D4.7.1 Structural assessment of masonry arch bridges D4.7.2 Numerical analyses of load distribution and deflections in railway bridge transitionzones due to passing trains D4.7.3 Methods of analysis of damaged masonry arch bridges D4.7.4 Potentiality of probabilistic methods in the assessment of masonry archesEC Sixth Framework ProgramSustainable Bridges – Assessment for Future Traffic Demands and Longer LivesTIP3-CT-2003-001653</p
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Research Interests: Civil Engineering, Computer Science, Decision Analysis, Structural Health Monitoring, Risk assessment, and 7 moreStructural Analysis, Building, Masonry, vibration based methods for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM), multi criteria decision making (MCDM), Building and Construction Materials, and Risk Assessment
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Masonry structures, usually being composed of a repeating geometric pattern, lend themselves well to analysis using periodic unit cells. Based on stress and strain equilibriums and rational assumptions concerning the interaction of the... more
Masonry structures, usually being composed of a repeating geometric pattern, lend themselves well to analysis using periodic unit cells. Based on stress and strain equilibriums and rational assumptions concerning the interaction of the components of the cell, one may propose micro-mechanical models using simple analytical expressions which simulate well the behavior of masonry. Models describing the nonlinear behavior of masonry constituent materials may be implemented in such models and used to simulate the failure modes anticipated to arise in the composite. In this way, the nonlinear behavior of masonry composites may be derived, as defined by the interaction of its two main material phas-es: units and mortar. Taking advantage of the low computational cost of models based on analytical expres-sions, which is only a fraction of those based on finite element simulations, wide and in-depth parametric analyses can be performed with ease. In this paper, a model for the nonlinear behavior of masonry is presented and used in a parametric study, investigating the influence of various material properties on its compressive strength. The results indicate a strong dependence of the compressive strength of masonry on material parameters that are difficult to measure accurately or are often ignored, particularly in existing and historic masonry structures.
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The church of the monastery of Sant Cugat close to Barcelona is a medieval construction characterized by a complex structural behaviour stemming from the interaction among various structural elements built over different periods. Despite... more
The church of the monastery of Sant Cugat close to Barcelona is a medieval construction characterized by a complex structural behaviour stemming from the interaction among various structural elements built over different periods. Despite having survived for several centuries, such structures are often affected by slow irreversible deterioration mechanisms that can jeopardise their stability in the future. In order to identify such mechanisms at an early stage, and to better understand the cause of visible pathologies, a static structural health monitoring (SHM) system was installed in the church since 2017. Although this monitoring strategy, aimed at the continuous measurement of key slow-varying parameters, has been used successfully in the past to facilitate the diagnosis of this structural typology, the interpretation of data collected by such systems remains a challenging task. One of the main reasons for this is the fact that many monitored damage and deformation features are s...
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The purpose of this document is to define the basis for the analysis and design of the FOWT configurations to be developed during this project. The basis shall define the framework for covering the design of both floater types (spar and... more
The purpose of this document is to define the basis for the analysis and design of the FOWT configurations to be developed during this project. The basis shall define the framework for covering the design of both floater types (spar and semis-submersible) and all their subsystems
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Preliminary studies of a concept consisting of a monolithic concrete SPAR platform were presented in 2014. The studies were performed in the framework of the AFOSP KIC-InnoEnergy project (Alternative Floating Platform Designs for Offshore... more
Preliminary studies of a concept consisting of a monolithic concrete SPAR platform were presented in 2014. The studies were performed in the framework of the AFOSP KIC-InnoEnergy project (Alternative Floating Platform Designs for Offshore Wind Towers using Low Cost Materials) showing significant costs reduction. The experimental phase of the project was developed during 2014. The experiments comprised a set of hydrodynamic tests performed in the CIEM wave flume facility at the Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya (UPC), with a 1:100 scale model assuming Froude similitude. The complete experimental campaign included free decay tests, a set of 22 regular wave trains of different periods to determine the RAO’s and another set of 21 regular and irregular wave trains in conjunction with a mechanical wind device, simulating the mean thrust force exerted by the wind turbine. To adjust the weight of the whole system, a set of adjustable weights inside de scale model were designed assuring s...
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The main objective of the Offshore Code Comparison Collaboration Continuation, with Correlation (OC5) project is validation of aero-hydro-servo-elastic simulation tools for offshore wind turbines (OWTs) through comparison of simulated... more
The main objective of the Offshore Code Comparison Collaboration Continuation, with Correlation (OC5) project is validation of aero-hydro-servo-elastic simulation tools for offshore wind turbines (OWTs) through comparison of simulated results to the response data of physical systems. Phase III of the OC5 project validates OWT models against the measurements recorded on a Senvion 5M wind turbine supported by the OWEC Quattropod from the alpha ventus offshore wind farm. The following operating conditions of the wind turbine were chosen for the validation: (1) idling below the cut-in wind speed, (2) rotor-nacelle assembly (RNA) rotation maneuver below the cut-in wind speed, (3) power production below and above the rated wind speed, and (4) shutdown. A number of validation load cases were defined based on these operating conditions. The following measurements were used for validation: (1) strains and accelerations recorded on the support structure and (2) pitch, yaw, and azimuth angles,...
Research Interests: Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Environmental Science, and 15 moreManufacturing, Collaboration, Modeling, Marine Engineering, Density, Computer Simulation, Damping, Accelerometers, Generators, Energy generation, Maritime Engineering, Offshore Wind, Airfoils, Fourier Transforms, and Offshore Wind Power
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ABSTRACT A masonry pillar composed of solid clay bricks, cement mortar and infill is extracted from a historical structure and tested in concentric compression. It is subjected to cyclic and monotonic loads up to compressive failure. In... more
ABSTRACT A masonry pillar composed of solid clay bricks, cement mortar and infill is extracted from a historical structure and tested in concentric compression. It is subjected to cyclic and monotonic loads up to compressive failure. In parallel, samples are extracted from the pillar and are subjected to destructive tests. Non-destructive tests are performed on the pillar, as well. The properties of the constituent materials are critically examined and their role in the maximum load reached and the failure mode obtained are discussed. Finally, a finite element micro-model of the pillar is used for the simulation of the pillar test. The influence of the existing damage on the pillar is investigated using the model, resulting in a fair approximation of the global Young’s modulus, maximum load and the failure mode. Highlights ● A brick masonry pillar extracted from a historical building is tested in compression. ● Material samples extracted from the pillar are characterized by mechanical tests. ● A finite element micro-model of the pillar is used for the simulation of the compressive test. ● The effect of damage on the compressive strength of the pillar is numerically investigated.
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ABSTRACT
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Micro-modeling techniques for the simulation of masonry are a valuable tool, when combined with nonlinear constitutive laws, for the investigation of the behavior of structural masonry. Through the simulation of the behavior of the... more
Micro-modeling techniques for the simulation of masonry are a valuable tool, when combined with nonlinear constitutive laws, for the investigation of the behavior of structural masonry. Through the simulation of the behavior of the materials locally up to and beyond failure, it is possible to evaluate the global behavior of the structure under a variety of loads. While the strength of the masonry joints and the unit-mortar interface in tension and shear can be fairly easily described in terms of frictional and tensile strength parameters, the compressive strength of the joints, and by extension the masonry composite, are more difficult to estimate a priori. For this reason, in the present paper a detailed micro-modeling approach in which units, mortar and their interface are modeled as separate parts, is proposed for the estimation of the compressive strength and the Young’s modulus of the masonry composite. The approach proposed is based on well-known material and geometrical models. In addition, an analytical model for the estimation of the strength and the Young’s modulus of masonry is also presented. A number of experimental case studies of masonry in compression reproduced using micro-modeling techniques are presented. The group of simulated cases consists of solid clay bricks and lime/cement mortar arranged in stack and running bond. A satisfactory comparison is obtained between the experimental values and the predictions of the FE and numerical micro-modeling methods proposed.
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Numerical and analytical micro-modeling of masonry structures requires knowledge of several elasticity and strength parameters of the constituent materials of the composite. Furthermore, when dealing with specimens produced in the lab or... more
Numerical and analytical micro-modeling of masonry structures requires knowledge of several elasticity and strength parameters of the constituent materials of the composite. Furthermore, when dealing with specimens produced in the lab or extracted from existing structures, several problems arise concerning the limited number of samples and to their dimension ratios which will often render them inappropriate for accurate standardized testing. In the case of historical structures, the number of samples may be limited due to the need for compliance with conservation principles. This paper proposes a methodology for the experimental derivation of several material parameters of the units, the mortar and the masonry composite from a limited amount of sampled material using conventional mechanical tests. The method attempts to alleviate some of the obstacles often encountered in the experimental characterization of masonry structures, and focuses on those parameters that are most important for the simulation of masonry under compression using micro-modeling techniques. The applicability of the proposed methodology in actual existing structures is demonstrated through a case study.
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Resumen.-Se presenta un método para el análisis dinámico no lineal de estructuras de mampostería. El método se basa en la llamada Formulación Matricial Generalizada (FMG) para el análisis en servicio y en estado límite último de... more
Resumen.-Se presenta un método para el análisis dinámico no lineal de estructuras de mampostería. El método se basa en la llamada Formulación Matricial Generalizada (FMG) para el análisis en servicio y en estado límite último de estructuras formadas por arcos y/o ...
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Este artículo tiene como objetivo presentar las últimas investigaciones realizadas en referencia al uso de fibras en tubos de hormigón. En la primera parte del trabajo se presenta un estudio de su comportamiento en el ensayo de... more
Este artículo tiene como objetivo presentar las últimas investigaciones realizadas en referencia al uso de fibras en tubos de hormigón. En la primera parte del trabajo se presenta un estudio de su comportamiento en el ensayo de aplastamiento, haciendo ...
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Dentro del planteamiento de la Catedra de empresa titulada Innovacion en Tecnologia del Hormigon patrocinada por BASF-MOLINS-BEKAERT esta la celebracion de jornadas tecnicas. El presente documento es una muestra de este tipo de jornadas,... more
Dentro del planteamiento de la Catedra de empresa titulada Innovacion en Tecnologia del Hormigon patrocinada por BASF-MOLINS-BEKAERT esta la celebracion de jornadas tecnicas. El presente documento es una muestra de este tipo de jornadas, en las que las diferentes aportaciones son editadas en un texto escrito, como el que ahora nos ocupa, mientras que las presentaciones estan ubicadas en la web de la Catedra citada: http://www.bmbupc.org/ Para estas 2as jornadas se ha elegido un tema de gran actualidad, tal como es la aplicacion estructural de hormigon con fibras, especialmente oportuna, tras la inclusion de anejo de Hormigon con Fibras en la actual propuesta de la EHE En esta jornada se presenta dicho anejos, asi como diversos trabajos de investigacion sobre el siempre controvertido tema de la orientacion de las fibras. Asimismo se pasa revista a diversas aplicaciones estructurales tanto nacionales como internacionales en aplicaciones estructurales de estos hormigones. A traves de estas paginas puede observarse el esquema que de forma sistematica se reproducira en este tipo de jornadas, haciendo intervenir a empresas y centros de investigacion, contando experiencias nacionales e internacionales, con temas de investigacion y experiencia profesionales de gran nivel y/o actualidad. En espera de que la documentacion aqui aportada sea de interes para el lector y sirva para motivar el foro de debate sobre Innovacion en Tecnologia del Hormigon que la Catedra pretende, agradecer a las empresas patrocinadoras y a la Universidad Politecnica de Cataluna el apoyo dado para la creacion de la Catedra y la realizacion de estas jornadas
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This paper is the first part of an extensive work focusing the technological development of steel fiber reinforced concrete pipes (FRCP). Here is presented and discussed the experimental campaign focusing the test procedure and the... more
This paper is the first part of an extensive work focusing the technological development of steel fiber reinforced concrete pipes (FRCP). Here is presented and discussed the experimental campaign focusing the test procedure and the mechanical behavior obtained for each of the dosages of fiber used. In the second part ("Steel fiber reinforced concrete pipes. Part 2: Numerical model to simulate the crushing test"), the aspects of FRCP numerical modeling are presented and analyzed using the same experimental results in order to be validated. This study was carried out trying to reduce some uncertainties related to FRCP performance and provide a better condition to the use of these components. In this respect, an experimental study was carried out using sewage concrete pipes in full scale as specimens. The diameter of the specimens was 600 mm, and they had a length of 2500 mm. The pipes were reinforced with traditional bars and different contents of steel fibers in order to co...
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Este artículo tiene como objetivo presentar las últimas investigaciones realizadas en referencia al uso de fibras en tubos de hormigón. En la primera parte del trabajo se presenta un estudio de su comportamiento en el ensayo de... more
Este artículo tiene como objetivo presentar las últimas investigaciones realizadas en referencia al uso de fibras en tubos de hormigón. En la primera parte del trabajo se presenta un estudio de su comportamiento en el ensayo de aplastamiento, haciendo hincapié tanto en los aspectos técnicos de su ejecución como en cuestiones relacionadas con la simulación numérica. En la segunda parte, se presentan los resultados experimentales obtenidos en ensayos mecánicos de tubos de hormigón con fibras de 600 mm, 800 mm y 1000 mm de diámetro. Éstos han servido para validar el modelo numérico MAP, permitiendo concluir que ésta es una herramienta adecuada para el análisis el diseño de este tipo de tubos. Asimismo, se presenta un procedimiento para hallar la cuantía de fibras necesaria en función de la clase resistente exigida.
The main advantages related to the use of structural fibres as main reinforcement in concrete pipes is of widespread knowledge. However, in spite of the numerous experimental campaigns carried out and published in the scientific... more
The main advantages related to the use of structural fibres as main reinforcement in concrete pipes is of widespread knowledge. However, in spite of the numerous experimental campaigns carried out and published in the scientific literature, their use has not been properly consolidated. Among those reasons, the most important one is the lack of a systematic method for its design. In this respect, the type and the amount of fibres for each internal diameter (Di) and required strength class has been traditionally determined by means of the crushing test. This is a reliable method, but not efficient from an economic point of view when it is used indirectly with designing purposes, since there exist several Di, thicknesses (e) and commercial strength classes. Therefore, it is evident that there is a need for a methodology that would enable the systematic design of fibre reinforced concrete pipes (FRCPs) for any Di and strength class. In this sense, several experimental campaigns and nume...
The fibre reinforced concrete pipes have normally their mechanical behaviour verified through crushing test that follows a cycled procedure. This test is crucial to verify if the pipe fit the mechanical requirements specified in the... more
The fibre reinforced concrete pipes have normally their mechanical behaviour verified through crushing test that follows a cycled procedure. This test is crucial to verify if the pipe fit the mechanical requirements specified in the standards. The conception of this test procedure is based on the premise that no continuous lecture of load and displacement curves will be made. So, only one load value is quantified (maximum load) and two other loads are verified. The first load to be verified is the proof load before in the initial part of the test, before the peak load. The same load value is verified again at the post-peak part of the diagram when the bearing capacity of the cracked pipe under a fixed load is checked. In that situation, there is no actual determination of the post-crack strength. Thus, a different procedure of testing is proposed, without cycling loading and with continuous data acquisition on load and diameter displacement. LVDT are used for diametric displacement ...