EM4SS’21

ENGINEERED MATERIALS FOR

SUSTAINABLE STRUCTURES

Modena, 26th - 28th April 2021

BOOK OF ABSTRACTS

Sponsored by
 www.impresa-betonplast.it

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 Contents

About 4
EM4SS’21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
The Numbers of EM4SS’21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Project IMPReSA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Scientific committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Organizing committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Timetable 7
Innovative Building Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Monday, 26 of April . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Wednesday, 28 of April . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Mechanics of Solids and Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Monday, 26 of April . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Tuesday, 27 of April . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Wednesday, 28 of April . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Advanced Composite Materials for Structural Purposes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Monday, 26 of April . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Tuesday, 27 of April . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Durability and Corrosion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Monday, 26 of April . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Tuesday, 27 of April . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Monday, 26 of April . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Tuesday, 27 of April . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

List of Abstracts 18
Innovative Building Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Mechanics of Solids and Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Advanced Composite Materials for Structural Purposes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Durability and Corrosion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Sponsors 109

3
About

EM4SS’21

The Research Centres EN&TECH and CRICT of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, in the
framework of the Project IMPReSA, are proud to organise the international workshop “Engineered
Materials for Sustainable Structures (EM4SS)”, which provides a unique forum for researchers,
companies, and practitioners to exchange ideas on the new frontiers of innovative materials and
structures.

Five thematic sessions address the fundamental aspects of the broad spectrum of engineered
materials, with the main goal of establishing a meaningful dialogue within the different scientific
communities and the business world:

• Innovative building materials: sixteen talks explore the recent progress in materials science
and technology, with application in the construction field as innovative reinforcements for
cementitious materials, sustainable concrete pastes, geopolymers, artificial and natural
recycled aggregates. In addition, notable contributions investigate innovative materials for
consolidation and preservation of the architectural heritage, functionalized nano-materials,
and materials for additive manufacturing in construction.

• Mechanics of solids and structures: state-of-the-art and new concepts in mechanics of solids
and structures are explored through thirty talks from all over the world. These high-level
researches deal with multiscale and asymptotic models, homogenization and instability,
nonlinear elasticity, wave propagation and reflection, plasticity, fracture mechanics, metama-
terials, and multiphysics modelling.

• Advanced composite materials for structural purposes: two minisymposia investigate the
new frontiers in the field of composite materials, with focus on inorganic and ceramic ma-
trix composites for structural retrofitting and rehabilitation of civil and industrial buildings.
Among the topics addressed in the twelve talks here presented, fibre-reinforced polymers
(FRP), textile reinforced mortar/fibre-reinforced cementitious mortar (TRM/FRCM), fibre-
reinforced concrete (FRC), circular economy in composites, and architectural conceptualisa-
tion are the major ones.

• Durability and Corrosion: fifteen contributions discuss the crucial topic of structures dura-
bility and steel corrosion in building materials. Spotlight is set on innovative and sustainable

4
 materials like (but not restricted to this) new and reinforced concrete, alkali-activated cement
or concrete, fly ashes, slags, metakaolin, etc. In addition, corrosion and passivation mecha-
nisms, critical chloride content, long-term corrosion resistance, durability, and monitoring
methods are also investigated.

• Life Cycle Assessment: sustainability issues of construction materials, also related to the
environmental impact, recycled content, legal requirements (CAM, EPD, etc.), are currently
taken into serious account by the research community and by the recent guidelines and
standards, which strongly endorse the development of "green" materials. In this session,
sixteen speakers from academic and industrial communities explore the multifaceted topic
of circular economy approach in the construction field, also focussing on the environmental
assessment of construction materials, LCA of products, challenges and new perspectives on
waste recycling, and relevant cases of study.

The Numbers of EM4SS’21

The first online edition of the EM4SS’21 workshop involves 89 talks, coming from all the continents.
The EM4SS’21 community involves 77 speakers from European countries (Italy, Spain, Belgium,
Cyprus, United Kingdom, Norway, Republic of Ireland, France, Greece, Austria, Poland, Switzerland,
and Slovenia), 7 from America (Canada, United States, and Brazil), 3 speakers from Asia (China,
Vietnam, and India), 1 speaker from Oceania (Australia) and 1 speaker from Africa (Nigeria).

Project IMPReSA

IMPReSA is a Project founded by the Emilia Romagna Region, which combines both the scientific
knowledge of four Research Centres and the expertise of four important companies located in the
Region.
IMPReSA aims at providing novel applications in the civil engineering field, which incorporate
plastic debris no longer exploitable for the pristine intended use, by following the Circular Economy
principles. The Project, in fact, promotes the use of non-recyclable plastic materials as reinforcing
phase within cementitious mortars for structural purposes, by substituting the aggregates of natural
origin. The main goals are the study, the design, and the development of innovative “eco-friendly”
construction materials, including reinforcing plastic fibers or aggregates, which may contribute to
the transition towards a green economy endorsing a sustainable use of resources.

5
Scientific committee

• Prof. Francesco Ascione – University of Salerno

• Prof. Davide Bigoni – University of Trento

• Prof. Anna Maria Ferrari – University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

• Prof. Roberto Frassine – Polytechnic University of Milan

• Prof. Gennady Mishuris – University of Aberystwyth

• Prof. Cecilia Monticelli – University of Ferrara

• Prof. Natasha Movchan – University of Liverpool

• Prof. Andrea Nobili – University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

• Prof. Enrico Radi – University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

• Prof. Michael Raupach - RWTH Aachen University

• Prof. Giuseppe Saccomandi – University of Perugia

• Prof. Prof. Igor Sevostianov – New Mexico State University

• Dr. Antonella Sola – Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)

Organizing committee

• Prof. Andrea Balbo – University of Ferrara

• Prof. Andrea Nobili – University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

• Dr. Cesare Signorini – University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

• Prof. Cristina Siligardi – University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

• Dr. Valentina Volpini – University of Modena and Reggio Emilia

6
 Timetable

Innovative Building Materials

Monday, 26 of April

9:15–9:40 Opening ceremony (DIRECT LINK – pw: 2604OPEN)

Mini-
Eco-friendly materials for smart structures and infrastructures
symposium
DIRECT LINK Chairperson: Dr. Antonella Sola
pw: 2604IN
Nele De Belie Durability, service life prediction and life
10:00–10:20
Ghent University, Belgium cycle assessment of self-healing concrete
Development of cement-less construction
Sumit Chakraborty materials utilizing waste alumino-silicate
10:20–10:40
University of Sheffield, UK precursors by hydrothermal method and
alkali activation
Bartolomeo Coppola Reuse of carbonatic and alumino-silicate
10:40–11:00 Polytechnic University of Turin, sludges as alkali-activated materials:
Italy innovation and sustainability
11:00–11:20 Virtual coffee break
Piyush Chaunsali Beneficial Utilization of Indian Biomass Ash
11:20–11:40
IIT Madras, Chennai, India in Eco-friendly Bricks
Diego M. Barbieri
Stabilization of road subsurface layers with
11:40–12:00 Norwegian University of Science
organosilane and lignosulfonate
and Technology, Norway
Engineered Cementitious Composites for
Antroula Georgiou
12:00–12:20 the conservation of 20th century concrete
University of Cyprus
architectural heritage
Feasibility of using ashes glass fibre
Prannoy Suraneni reinforced polymer materials as a
12:20–12:40
University of Miami, USA supplementary cementitious material in
concrete
12:40–13:00 Q&A Session

7
Wednesday, 28 of April

DIRECT LINK Chairperson: Dr. Antonella Sola

pw: 2804IN
Victor T. Ibeabuchi Mechanical properties of high strength
9:40–10:00 Federal University Ndufu Alike, concrete incorporating Calcined Ebonyi
Nigeria Shale (CES) at elevated temperature
Eco-sustainable approach for cementitious
Matteo Sambucci mix construction materials: a preliminary
10:00–10:20 Sapienza University of Rome, comparison between geopolymer and
Italy cement-based matrices incorporating Tire
recycled rubber
Microstructural and mechanical
Chiara Moletti
characterization of different hempcrete
10:20–10:40 Polytechnic University of Milan,
mix design for prefabricated blocks
Italy
production
Beatrice Malchiodi Use of recycled textile fibres for
10:40–11:00 University of Modena and sustainable and thermal insulating Fibre
Reggio Emilia, Italy Reinforced Cement
Virginia Barbieri Use of modified magnesium oxysulfate
11:00–11:20 University of Modena and (MOS) cement for the production of
Reggio Emilia, Italy lightweight hemp concretes
11:20–11:40 Virtual coffee break
Parametric analysis of binder-powder
Farid Salari
11:40–12:00 interaction in binder jet 3D printing of
University of Trento, Italy
cement-based materials
Antonella Sola Progress of fibre coatings in
Commonwealth Scientific and fabric-reinforced lime-based composites:
12:00–12:20
Industrial Research Organisation materials selection and property
(CSIRO), Australia optimisation
Silvia Barbi Materials characterization and thermal
12:20–12:40 University of Modena and analysis of PCM-silica mixtures for
Reggio Emilia, Italy backfilling of ground heat exchangers
María Jimena de Hita
Cementitious matrixes for nuclear waste
Fernández
12:40–13:00 management: effect of admixtures on
Eduardo Torroja Institute for
fresh state properties
Construction Sciences, Spain
13:00–13:20 Q&A Session

8
Mechanics of Solids and Structures

Monday, 26 of April

9:15–9:40 Opening ceremony (DIRECT LINK – pw: 2604OPEN)

DIRECT LINK Chairperson: Prof. Andrea Nobili
pw: 2604M
Victor Eremeyev Antiplane surface waves in the framework
9:40-10:00
University of Cagliari, Italy of strongly anisotropic surface elasticity
Matteo Pelliciari
Snap-through of a bi-stable truss in finite
10:00–10:20 University of Modena and
elasticity
Reggio Emilia, Italy
Equivalent particle in conduction
Jean-François Barthélémy
10:20–10:40 homogenization and application to a
Cerema, France
composite spheroid
Gaetano Napoli Temperature-induced textures on nematic
10:40–11:00
University of Salento, Italy shells
11:00–11:20 Virtual coffee break
Yibin Fu Post-buckling of an elastic half-space
11:20–11:40
Keele University, UK coated by double layers
Andrea Nobili
Reduced dimensional models for
11:40–12:00 University of Modena and
microstructured plates
Reggio Emilia, Italy
Ludmila Prikazchikova
12:00–12:20 Asymptotic methods in nonlocal elasticity
Keele University, UK
Asymptotic analysis of vibrations in
Michael Nieves
12:20–12:40 membranes with clusters of small
Keele University, UK
inclusions
12:40–13:00 Q&A Session

Tuesday, 27 of April

DIRECT LINK Chairperson: Dr. Valentina Volpini

pw: 2704ME2
General framework for evaluation of finite
Gennady Mishuris
11:40–12:00 Energy Release Rate in Fracture Mechanics
University of Aberystwyth, UK
and beyond
Michel Destrade
Measuring stress levels in structures
12:00–12:20 National University of Ireland,
directly with ultrasonic waves
Galway, Ireland
Panos A. Gourgiotis Some results for surface waves in the
12:20–12:40 The University of Thessaly, framework of gradient theories for
Greece microstructured materials
Thermoelastic dispersion and dissipation
Alexey V. Pichugin
12:40–13:00 of surface waves in an orthorhombic
Brunel University of London, UK
half-space
13:00–14:00 Lunch break

9
 DIRECT LINK Chairperson: Prof. Giuseppe Saccomandi
pw: 2704ME2
Davide Bigoni
14:00–14:20 Metamaterials and shear bands
University of Trento, Italy
Effective properties and generalized
Lorenzo Morini
14:20–14:40 Floquet-Bloch spectrum of multi-layered
Cardiff University, Wales UK
renewable energy devices
Massimiliano Gei
14:40–15:00 On generalised canonical axial waveguides
University of Trieste, Italy
Anar Rakhimzhanova
15:00–15:20 Solitary waves in a non linear chain
University of Cagliari, Italy
15:20–15:40 Virtual coffee break
Characterization of partially disordered
Igor Sevostianov
15:40–16:00 microstructures of heterogeneous
New Mexico State University, US
materials
Giuseppe Saccomandi
16:00–16:20 Waves in nonlinear elastodynamics
University of Perugia, Italy
A unified methodology for computation of
Anton Trofimov
compliance and stiffness contribution
16:20–16:40 Polytechnique Montréal,
tensors of inhomogeneities of arbitrary 2D
Canada
and 3D shapes–open access software
Dynamics of prestressed elastic lattices:
Andrea Piccolroaz
16:40–17:00 Homogenization, instabilities, and strain
University of Trento, Italy
localization
Ada Amendola Tensegrity modeling of the spider dragline
17:00–17:20
University of Salerno, Italy silk fiber and biomimetic fibers
17:20–17:40 Q&A Session

Wednesday, 28 of April

DIRECT LINK Chairperson: Prof. Enrico Radi

pw: 2804IN
Enrico Radi
Effect of pore coalescence on the effective
9:40–10:00 University of Modena and
conductivity of an isotropic material
Reggio Emilia, Italy
Kou Du Effective elastic properties of
10:00–10:20 GeoRessources, University of heterogeneous material with concave
Lorraine, France pores and transversely isotropic matrix
An electrochemo-poromechanical theory
Lorenzo Bardella
10:20–10:40 for actuation and sensing of ionic polymer
University of Brescia, Italy
metal composites
Giovanni Bianchi
Analytical estimates of the pull-in voltage
10:40–11:00 University of Modena and
in MEMS and NEMS
Reggio Emilia, Italy
Christian Hellmich The structural mechanics of the Vienna
11:00–11:20 Vienna University of Technology, tramway rails: advanced beam
Austria theory-assisted 1D/2D FE modelling
11:20–11:40 Virtual coffee break

10
 Francesco Dal Corso
11:40–12:00 Elastica catastrophe machine
University of Trento, Italy
Frédéric Lebon
12:00–12:20 On models of imperfect interfaces
Aix-Marseille University, France
Jacopo Ciambella
Fiber reorientation in active viscoelastic
12:20–12:40 University of Rome "La
media
Sapienza", Italy
Stefano Sirotti Damage-based hysteresis Bouc-Wen model
12:40–13:00
Fuzhou University, China for reinforced concrete elements
13:00–13:20 Q&A Session

11
Advanced Composite Materials for Structural Purposes

Monday, 26 of April

9:15–9:40 Opening ceremony (DIRECT LINK – pw: 2604OPEN)

DIRECT LINK Chairperson: Dr. Cesare Signorini
pw: 2604AD
Antonio Nanni Resilience Meets Sustainability in Coastal
14:00–14:20
University of Miami, US Construction
Francesco Ascione Modeling SRG interfacial bond behaviour
14:20–14:40
University of Salerno, Italy and strength
Sara Fares Tensile and pull-out behaviour of Steel
14:40–15:00
"Roma Tre" University, Italy Reinforced Grout connectors
Aloysio Gomes de Souza Investigation of multi-scale fibre-reinforced
Filho cementitious mortar (FRCM), developed
15:00–15:20
Universidade Tecnológica using microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and
Federal do Paraná, Brazil sisal fibres
Advanced Composites with
Lampros Koutas
15:20–15:40 Alkali-Activated Matrices for Strengthening
University of Thessaly, Greece
of Structures: Review Study
Giosué Boscato NFRCM-strengthened masonry, numerical
15:40–16:00
IUAV University of Venice, Italy and experimental analysis
Materialization of 3D graphic statics:
Amirhossein Ahmadnia
Through an innovative way of integration
16:00–16:20 Polytechnic University of Milan,
High-tech and Low-tech for constructing a
Italy
waste-based structural system
16:20–16:40 Q&A session

Tuesday, 27 of April

DIRECT LINK Chairperson: Dr. Tommaso D’Antino

pw: 2704AD
The Influence of Second Order Transitions
Lino Antonio Credali
9:20–9:40 (Tg ) in the Structural Applications of
Composites in Building and Constructions
Tommaso D’Antino
Determination of the matrix-fiber cohesive
9:40–10:00 Polytechnic University of Milan,
material law using FRCM-concrete joints
Italy
Influencing parameters for the failure
Gabriele Grana Castagnetti
10:00–10:20 mechanism of carbon-FRCM (Fibre
Kerakoll SpA
Reinforced Cementitious Matrix systems)
Functionalisation techniques for
Cesare Signorini polypropylene fibres in Fibre Reinforced
10:20–10:40 University of Modena and Concrete (FRC): experimental and
Reggio Emilia, Italy analytical study of the pull-out
mechanisms

12
 Mechanical characterization of Ultra-High
Jacopo Donnini
Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete
10:40–11:00 Polytecnic University of Marche,
(UHPFRC) under quasi-static and cyclic
Italy
loads
Valentina Volpini Mechanical properties of cement
11:00–11:20 University of Modena and composites reinforced with fully-recycled
Reggio Emilia, Italy plastic fibres
Retrofitting with FRCM composites: shear
Andrea Incerti
11:20–11:40 and flexural behaviour of strengthened
University of Bologna, Italy
masonry walls
11:40–12:00 Q&A session

13
Durability and Corrosion

Monday, 26 of April

9:15–9:40 Opening ceremony (DIRECT LINK – pw: 2604OPEN)

Tuesday, 27 of April

DIRECT LINK Chairperson: Prof. Andrea Balbo

pw: 2704DU
María Criado
Alkali-activated materials: Corrosion of
9:40–10:00 Eduardo Torroja Institute for
steel reinforcement
Construction Sciences, Spain
Federica Zanotto Durability of reinforced concretes
10:00–10:20
University of Ferrara, Italy containing biochar and recycled polymers
Nina Gartner
Slovenian National Building and Monitoring of steel corrosion in
10:20–10:40
Civil Engineering Institute (ZAG), Alkali-Activated Mortars
Slovenia
Coatings based on light-weight alkali
Giulia Masi
10:40–11:00 activated mortars as sustainable system for
University of Bologna, Italy
steel corrosion protection
Chinh Van Nguyen Effect of locally sourced fly ash and GGBS
11:00–11:20 The University of Danang, on the compressive strength and chloride
Vietnam resistance of concrete
11:20–11:40 Virtual coffee break
Corrosion behaviour of carbon steel in
Sergio Lorenzi
11:40–12:00 sulfoaluminate-based binders and blended
University of Bergamo, Italy
binders
Matteo Gastaldi Preliminary assessment on durability of
12:00–12:20 Polytechnic University of Milan, high performance fiber reinforced concrete
Italy with CSA cement
Durability of mortars manufactured with
Denny Coffetti
12:20–12:40 low-carbon binders exposed to calcium
University of Bergamo, Italy
chloride-based de-icing salts
The PARC_CL 2.1 crack model for reinforced
Lorenzo Franceschini
12:40–13:00 concrete elements subjected to corrosion
University of Parma, Italy
and long-term effects
13:00–14:00 Lunch break
DIRECT LINK Chairperson: Prof. Michael Raupach
pw: 2704DU
Ensuring both eco-efficiency and durability
Ueli Angst of reinforced concrete through
14:00–14:20
ETH Zurich, Switzerland scientifically understanding corrosion of
steel in carbonated concrete
Fabio Bolzoni
Evaluation of different preventative
14:20–14:40 Polytechnic University of Milan,
methods to prevent corrosion in concrete
Italy

14
 Stainless steels as sustainable solution for
Bernhard Elsener
14:40–15:00 concrete reinforcement - from laboratory
University of Cagliari, Italy
to practice
Corrosion behavior of steel reinforced
David M Bastidas
15:00–15:20 geopolymer concrete: A pathway towards
The University of Akron, US
long-lasting and sustainable structures
Corrosion behaviour of galvanized steel in
Tiziano Bellezze
cement- and geopolymer-based concrete:
15:20–15:40 Polytechnic University of
a review on scientific work at the
Marche, Italy
Polytechnic University of Marche
Increase sustainability of aged prestressed
Edoardo Proverbio concrete structures by improving
15:40–16:00
University of Messina, Italy knowledge on degradation mechanisms
and proper corrosion monitoring systems
16:00–16:20 Q&A session

15
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Monday, 26 of April

9:15–9:40 Opening ceremony (DIRECT LINK – pw: 2604OPEN)

DIRECT LINK Chairperson: Prof. Anna Maria Ferrari
pw: 2604L
Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA)
Alessandra Bonoli
14:00–14:20 in building and construction as tool
University of Bologna, Italy
supporting the European green transition
Federica Carollo Economic evaluation of circular schemes
14:20–14:40 Polytechnic University of Milan, for managing Construction and Demolition
Italy waste
Life cycle cost analysis: a useful tool for
Valeria Annibaldi
14:40–15:00 reaching sustainable objectives in buildings
University of L’Aquila, Italy
sector
Angela Daniela La Rosa Benefits and opportunities of reusing
15:00–15:20 Norwegian University of Science waste rotor blades in cementitious
and Technology, Norway materials from a life cycle perspective
Cinzia Salzano
Environmental impact assessment of
15:20–15:40 University Parthenope of
geopolymeric hydraulic pipeline
Naples, Italy
Porcelain stoneware tiles production
Elisa Rambaldi
15:40–16:00 minimizing the use of imported raw
Centro Ceramico Bologna, Italy
materials
16:00–16:20 Virtual coffee break
Marianna Rotilio Recycled materials for circular economy in
16:20–16:40
University of L’Aquila, Italy construction sector. A review
Simona Marinelli Circularity performances of the production
16:40–17:00 University of Modena and of a cement mortar reinforced with
Reggio Emilia, Italy recycled synthetic fibers
Grazia Maria Cappucci
Life cycle assessment of a wall made with
17:00–17:20 University of Modena and
agro-concrete blocks with wheat husk
Reggio Emilia, Italy
Micol Centorrino
LCA of fiber-reinforced concrete industrial
17:20–17:40 University of Modena and
flooring with recycled plastics
Reggio Emilia, Italy
17:40–18:00 Q&A session

16
Tuesday, 27 of April

DIRECT LINK Chairperson: Prof. Bianca Rimini

pw: 2704L2
Patrizia Ghisellini The role of product certification in the
14:00–14:20 University Parthenope of transition towards the circular economy for
Naples, Italy construction sector
Marta Rossi An environmental sustainability database
14:20–14:40 Polytechnic University of to support the identification of green
Marche, Italy construction products
The EPD as a competitive and transparency
Francesco Carnelli
14:40–15:00 tool on the environmental impacts of
ICMQ S.p.A., Italy
products and services
Fabrizio Passarini Sustainability in building and construction:
15:00–15:20
University of Bologna, Italy LCA of 21 mural paints
Antonello Monsù Scolaro, Limits and potential innovation to a more
15:20–15:40 Sara Corridori circular design approach in public
University of Sassari, Italy procurement refurbishment works
The environmental sustainability of CBI
Francesco Baldoni Europe products through the EPD
15:40–16:00
Esalex srl, Italy certification with the aim of implementing
circular economy actions
16:00–16:20 Q&A session

17
List of Abstracts

IT Invited Talk CT Contributed Talk

Innovative Building Materials

Durability, service life prediction and life cycle assessment of self-healing con-
crete

N. De Belie* IT

Magnel-Vandepitte Laboratory for Structural Engineering and Building Materials, Ghent University, Belgium

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

By incorporating self-healing agents in concrete, cracks can be healed autonomously upon occur-
rence. As a result, a significant extension in service life can be achieved and environmental burdens
related to maintenance and repair can be avoided to a large extent. For self-healing concrete with
macro-encapsulated polyurethane, chloride diffusion results showed that this mechanism was
efficient to reduce the chloride penetration. Electrochemical measurements on reinforced con-
crete specimens subjected to cyclic exposure with a NaCl solution proved that autonomous crack
healing could significantly reduce the corrosion propagation [1]. While self-healing by encapsulated
polyurethane is complete after one day, bacteria-based products take several weeks to heal a
300 µm crack. In this case, bacterial granules containing denitrifying cultures have the benefit to
release nitrite as an intermediate metabolic product which can protect the reinforcement during
the crack healing process [2]. A probabilistic prediction model could then be applied to estimate
the time to chloride-induced steel depassivation for self-healing and ordinary cracked concrete. A
subsequent life cycle assessment showed a substantial environmental benefit which can mainly be
attributed to the service life extension possible with self-healing concrete which easily overcomes
environmental burdens inherent to the self-healing additions [1].

References
[1] Van Belleghem, B., Van den Heede, P., Van Tittelboom, K., De Belie, N. (2017). Quantification of the service
life extension and environmental benefit of chloride exposed self-healing concrete. Materials, 10 (5), 22p.
[2] Erşan, Y.C., Verbruggen, H., De Graeve, I., Verstraete, W., De Belie, N., Boon, N. (2016). Nitrate reducing
CaCO3 precipitating bacteria survive in mortar and inhibit steel corrosion. Cement and concrete research,
83, 19-30.

18
Development of cement-less construction materials utilizing waste alumino-silicate
precursors by hydrothermal method and alkali activation

S. Chakraborty*, M. Guadagnini, K. Pilakoutas IT

Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, The University of Sheffield, S13JD

* Corresponding author, Email: sumit.chakraborty@sheffield.ac.uk

Keeping view of climate emergence and zero-emission strategy, the focus of construction and
building materials research has been turned into the development of cement-less materials utilizing
recycled materials from several sectors. This study investigated the impact of several methods to
produce cement-less construction materials, such as by using 1) silica fume infused with hydrated
alumina 2) aqueous-based carbonated lime infused with silica fume and hydrated alumina and 3)
use of solid industrial wastes (sewage sludge ash), followed by alkali activation. The cementitious
materials produced by the hydrothermal method and using SSA showed similar properties to that
of existing cement and achieved adequate mechanical strength ≥25 MPa after alkali activation.
The mechanical and microstructural properties of these cementitious materials are primarily
controlled by the formation of the interpenetrating net structure of geopolymer compounds
(Figure) through the reaction of alumino-silicate precursors with alkalis [1, 2]. Based on the cost
and environmental impact analysis, it is assessed that the newly developed cementitious materials
possessed comparable cost to that of the existing cement and minimised the environmental
concerns associated with cement production.

Plausible mechanism for the binding action of cement lees materials composites

References
[1] Chakraborty, S., Jo, B.W., Jo, J.H., Baloch, Z. (2017). Effectiveness of sewage sludge ash combined with
waste pozzolanic minerals in developing sustainable construction material: an alternative approach for waste
management. J. Clean. Prod. 153, 253-263.
[2] Jo, B.W., Chakraborty, S., Jo, J.H. (2017). Effectiveness of a hydrothermally produced alternative cemen-
titious material on the physical and mechanical performance of concrete. J. Clean. Prod. 142, 3269-3280.

19
Reuse of carbonatic and alumino-silicate sludges as alkali-activated materials:
innovation and sustainability

B. Coppola*, J. Tulliani, L. Montanaro, P. Palmero IT

Department of Applied Science and Technology, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca Degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino,
Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Nowadays, the reuse of waste materials for the production of more sustainable binders, compared
to OPC, is a trending topic among researchers. Within this context, alkali-activated materials
are receiving increasing attention thanks to the possibility to use amorphous or semi-crystalline
waste materials as raw powders to be activated with an alkaline solution (generally made of
sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide). The novelty of our researches lies in the exploitation of
highly crystalline powders, deriving from mining operations, in the production of alkali-activated
materials. In particular, two different powders were used: an alumino silicate mud [1], composed
of quartz, feldspars, biotite and dolomite; and a carbonatic one [2], composed of calcite and small
amounts of dolomite. Both powders were alkali-activated using a solution of NaOH and Na2 SiO3 .
Very good mechanical results were obtained in terms of compressive strength (about 30 MPa
for the aluminosilicate sludge and up to 45 MPa for the carbonatic one), showing their potential
as innovative building products. Indeed, despite their low solubility within the alkaline solution,
several parameters (i.e. curing conditions, particle fineness and activating solution molarity)
were determined as effective in mechanical properties development as also compared with other
literature results [3].

References
[1] Palmero, P., Formia, A., Tulliani, J.M., Antonaci, P. (2017). Valorisation of alumino-silicate stone muds:
From wastes to source materials for innovative alkali-activated materials. Cem. Concr. Compos. 83, 251-262.
[2] Coppola, B., Palmero, P., Montanaro, L., Tulliani, J.M. (2020). Alkali-activation of marble sludge: Influence
of curing conditions and waste glass addition. J. Eur. Ceram. Soc. 40 3776-3787.
[3] Coppola, B., Tulliani, J.M., Antonaci, P., Palmero, P. (2020). Role of Natural Stone Wastes and Minerals in
the Alkali Activation Process: A Review. Materials 13, 2284.

20
Beneficial Utilization of Indian Biomass Ash in Eco-friendly Bricks

P. Chaunsali* IT

Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Madras, Chennai 600036

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Agricultural residues offer one of the most promising sectors of growth in renewable energy based
on biomass. Current availability of agricultural residues in India is estimated around 500 million
tons per year. Many small and medium scale industries in India rely on these agricultural residues to
meet their energy requirement. In the process of harnessing energy, there is significant generation
of biomass ash which is landfilled due to its high carbon content. This presentation will cover the
beneficial utilization of an Indian biomass ash in structural masonry product. Alkali activation of
amorphous biomass ash enabled its effective utilization in eco-friendly bricks. The results from lab
and field study (Figure) will be discussed with respect to mechanical and durability characteristics.

Prototype wall made of biomass ash bricks

21
Stabilization of road subsurface layers with organosilane and lignosulfonate

D. M. Barbieri*, I. Hoff IT

Department Civil and Environmental Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim,
Norway

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

The Norwegian Public Roads Administration (NPRA) is responsible for the "Ferry-free coastal
highway route E39" project, which leads to the construction of an extended tunnel network along
the southwestern Norwegian coast; consequently, these operations create a considerable quantity
of blasted rocks. These aggregates can be used in the unbound courses of the roads close to the
excavation operations, thus providing sustainable road pavement construction materials. Due to
the variety of the rocks encountered along the Norwegian coast, some aggregates do not meet
the requirements established by the design guidelines. Two types of innovative additives, based
on organosilane and lignosulfonate, are employed to improve the mechanical performance of
the “weak” rocks. The behaviour of different types of rocks are assessed in the laboratory using
Repeated Load Triaxial Tests. The two main mechanical properties, namely resilient modulus and
resistance against permanent deformation, are significantly enhanced by the stabilization agents.

References
[1] Barbieri, D.M., Hoff, I., Mørk, M.B.E. (2019). Innovative stabilization techniques for weak crushed rocks
used in road unbound layers: a laboratory investigation. Transp. Geotech. 18, 132–141.
doi:10.1016/j.trgeo.2018.12.002.
[2] Barbieri, D.M., Hoff, I., Mørk, M.B.E. Mechanical assessment of crushed rocks derived from tunnelling
operations, in: W.-C. Cheng, J. Yang, J. Wang (Eds.), 5th GeoChina Int. Conf. 2018, Springer, 2019: pp. 225–241.
doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95783-8-19.
[3] Barbieri, D.M., Hoff, I., Mørk, M.B.E. (2020). Organosilane and lignosulfonate as innovative stabilization
techniques for crushed rocks used in road unbound layers, Transp. Geotech. 22.
doi:10.1016/j.trgeo.2019.100308.

22
Engineered Cementitious Composites for the conservation of 20th century con-
crete architectural heritage

A. Georgiou*, M. Theodoulides, I. Ioannou IT

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Cyprus, 1 Panepistimiou Avenue. 2109 Aglantzia,
Nicosia. P.O. Box 20537, 1678 Nicosia, Cyprus

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Architectural heritage nowadays includes non-vernacular concrete structures constructed in the

20th century. These buildings are usually under-detailed, since the actual behavior of reinforced
concrete at the time of their construction was not clearly understood. Additionally, the lack of Codes
incorporating seismic resistance design, especially in seismic prone areas, when early concrete
buildings were constructed, has led to their inefficient design and consequently to severe damages
in many of them during past seismic events. This paper explores the use of novel Engineered
(Fiber Reinforced) Cementitious Composites (ECCs), with strain hardening abilities in tension,
for the repair and strengthening of old sub-standard reinforced concrete columns, focusing on
their confining and shear strengthening potentials. The experimental results show that, when
replacing the reinforcement cover with fiber reinforced ECCs, the fibers bridge tensile cracks,
limiting their opening and increasing their resistance against volumetric expansion, ultimately
leading to increased amounts of energy dissipation.

23
Feasibility of using ashes glass fibre reinforced polymer materials as a supple-
mentary cementitious material in concrete

S. Ramanathan1 , L.R. Pestana1 , A. Nanni1 , L. Bank2 , P. Suraneni1 * IT

1
Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables 33146, FL, USA
2
School of Architecture, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta 30332, GA, USA

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

This work explores the feasibility of using ashes glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) powder as
an alternative source of supplementary cementitious material (SCM). GFRP from two sources -
reinforcement bars and spent wind blades are evaluated for this purpose. The materials were cut
and heated in a furnace to 600 °C and 1000 °C and ground using a mortar and pestle to obtain fine
powders. Physical and chemical characterization of the powders was performed. The “modified R3
test” was used to obtain direct measures of powder reactivity. Cementitious pastes were prepared
at 30% SCM replacement level to evaluate potential negative effects of the powders on cement
hydration. Isothermal calorimetry (up to 7 days) and thermogravimetric analysis (at 7 and 91 days)
were measured on these pastes. Preliminary results are promising and GFRP powders did not show
significant negative effects on the cement hydration suggesting a potential usage for demolition
waste containing GFRP.

24
Mechanical properties of high strength concrete incorporating Calcined Ebonyi
Shale (CES) at elevated temperature

V. T. Ibeabuchi1 *, C. U. Nwoji2 , C. Esonye3

1
Department of Civil Engineering, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, P.M.B 1010 Abakaliki, Nigeria
2
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
3
Department of Chemical Engineering, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, P.M.B 1010 Abakaliki, Nigeria

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

The increasing rate of fire disaster especially in the developing countries has renewed the demand
for utilization of more economically sustainable materials for built environment. In this paper, the
effect of calcined Ebonyi shale (CES) incorporated as partial replacement (15%) of cement on the
thermo-mechanical properties of high strength concrete were investigated. The preparation of
the CES was carried out by calcining the Ebonyi shale at a temperature of 900◦C for duration of 2
hours. Both raw and calcined Ebonyi shale (CES) were analyzed using scanning electron microscope
(SEM) and x-ray fluorescence (XRF). After curing time of 28 days, several samples were exposed to
varying temperatures. A comparison of the results showed that incorporation of CES enhanced
high strength properties of concrete at elevated temperature. Consequently, economical and
eco-friendly mixes that reduces CO2 emissions of the overall cement production of clinker were
achieved.

References
[1] Scrivener, K. L., John, V. M., Gartner, E. M. (2018). Eco-efficient cements: Potential economically viable
solutions for a low-CO2 cement-based materials industry. Cement and Concrete Research, 114, 2-26.
[2] Irassar, E.F., Bonavetti, V.L., Castellano, C.C., Trezza, M.A., Rahhal, V.F., Cordoba, G., Lemma, R. (2019).
Calcined illite-chlorite shale as supplementary cementing material: Thermal treatment, grinding, color and
pozzolanic activity, Applied clay, 179
[3] Novak, J., Kohoutkova, A. (2018). Mechanical properties of concrete composites subject to elevated
temperature. Fire Saf. J., 95, 66-76.

25
Eco-sustainable approach for cementitious mix construction materials: a prelim-
inary comparison between geopolymer and cement-based matrices incorporat-
ing Tyre recycled rubber

M. Sambucci1,2 *, M. Valente1,2 , A. Sibai1 , M. Chougan3 , S. H. Ghaffar3 , E. Musacchi4

1
Department of Chemical and Material Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy
2
INSTM Reference Laboratory for Engineering of Surface Treatments, Department of Chemical and Material Engineering,
Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy
3
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UB8 3PH, United Kingdom
4
European Tyre Recycling Association ETRA, Brussels, Belgium

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Sustainability concept in the cement and concrete industry involves various environmental and
socio-economic aspects such as, low energy consumption, CO2 emission reduction, natural re-
sources preservation, and recyclability [1]. “Green” concrete technology, has the potential for
eco-friendly development, where industrial waste or low-carbon binders can reduce consumption
of Portland cement and natural resource, leading to less environment pollutions [2]. This work
presents an experimental study for the comparison between geopolymer matrix and a traditional ce-
mentitious matrix (i.e. Portland cement) filled with rubber particles, deriving from end-of-life tires,
as replacement of raw mineral aggregates. Rubberized geopolymers can be attractive solutions to
reduce dangerous emissions and promote the clean disposal of waste tires [3]. Rubber-modification
could confer to the material specific performances in terms of lightweight, durability, deformability,
and thermo-acoustic insulation properties [4]. To explore the potential of rubber-geopolymer
compounds for the construction sector, an experimental comparative study with rubber-Portland
mortars (Figure) was performed. Preliminary investigations were conducted on rubber-cement
samples obtained by varying the binder, the sand-rubber replacement ratio, and the rubber particle
size.

Rubber-Portland samples incorporating ground tire rubber of different size: a) 2-3 mm rubber granules; b) 0-1 mm
rubber powder

References
[1] Khoshnava, S.M., Rostami, R., Valipour, A.,Ismail, M., Rahmat, A.R. (2018). J. Clean. Prod. 173, 82-99.
[2] Hameed, M.S., Sekar, A.S.S. (2009). ARPN J. Eng. Appl. Sci, 4.4, 83-89.
[3] Park, Y., Abolmaali, A., Kim, Y.H., Ghahremannejad, M. (2016). Constr. Build. Mater. 118, 43-51.
[4] Sambucci, M., Valente, M., Sibai, A., Marini, D., Quitadamo, A., Musacchi, E. (2020). RILEM International
Conference on Concrete and Digital Fabrication, 113-124 Springer, Cham.

26
Microstructural and mechanical characterization of different hempcrete mix de-
sign for prefabricated blocks production

M. Caruso1 , N. Cefis2 , G. Dotelli3 , C. Moletti3 *, S. Sabbadini4

1
Materials Testing Laboratory, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milan, Italy
2
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milan,
Italy
3
Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering “Giulio Natta”, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo
da Vinci 32, 20133 Milan, Italy
4
Department of Architecture and Urban Studies, Politecnico di Milano, Via Edoardo Bonardi 3, 20133, 20133 Milano,
Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Nature-based solutions are sustainable building materials produced recovering and enhancing
agricultural biomasses which are by-products or waste of crops as, for example, rice, flax or hemp.
Specifically, this research investigates the properties of hempcrete which is produced mixing
lime, which acts as binder, and hemp shives, as vegetal aggregate. Hempcrete is characterized
by breathability and excellent insulating properties, moreover it is a sustainable material due
to the introduction of vegetal material and due to the carbonation of lime which gives further
carbon dioxide sequestration. The latter determines the development of the strength of the
material and it has been investigated through microstructural characterization of the material
performing different analyses, e.g. X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
and thermogravimetry (TG-DTG), and mechanical characterization e.g. uniaxial compression and
triaxial tests. Hence, the influence of the microstructure on the mechanical properties has been
studied analysing different hempcrete mix design, developed for prefabricated blocks production.
Actually, these building components are used as non-loadbearing blocks, they are introduced in
building envelopes or in indoor partition walls as insulating elements.

27
Use of recycled textile fibres for sustainable and thermal insulating Fibre Rein-
forced Cement

B. Malchiodi1,2 *, C. Siligardi1,2 , P. Pozzi1,2 CT

1
Department of Engineering “Enzo Ferrari”, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
2
InterMech-MO.RE., Interdepartmental Research Centre for Applied Research and Services in the Advanced Mechanics
and Motor Sector, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Recycling and sustainability are hot topics for Civil applications. Since 37.4% of Italian non-hazardous
waste comes from the textile field [1], many studies focused on their reuse. This work investigates
the recovery of waste textile microfibres, deriving from finishing of fabrics, into sustainable and
low conductive Fibre-Reinforced Cement (FRC). The microfibres are characterized through FTIR
technique and Scanning Electron Microscopy; moreover, water content and water absorption are
evaluated for mix design. Unsaturated, saturated and NaOH treated microfibres are considered.
Following a preliminary workability evaluation, they are introduced in Portland cement in 1%,
2%, 3%, 4% by weight. At increasing fibre percentage, the three-point bending test displays an
enhance from 1.5 to 4 times the maximum bending load of non-reinforced Portland and a marked
increase in toughness is observed. The linear shrinkage is reduced from 20% to 80%, and NaOH
microfibres result in more efficiency. Stereomicroscopy confirmed a high fibre dispersion into the
cement matrix. A reduction in thermal conductivity is observed when increasing percentage of
the untreated fibres, and for 4% fibre percentage the Portland insulation power is doubled. The
feasibility of using recycled textile microfibre into FRC is demonstrated and results in improving
sustainability, mechanical properties and power insulating.

Recycled textile microfibres a) untreated; b) treated with NaOH

References
[1] ISPRA (Istituto Superiore per la Protezione e la Ricerca Ambientale), Rapporti rifiuti speciali, 2017.

28
Use of modified magnesium oxysulfate (MOS) cement for the production of
lightweight hemp concretes

V. Barbieri1 *, M. Lassinantti Gualtieri1 , T. Manfredini1 , C. Siligardi1,2 CT

1
Department of Engineering “Enzo Ferrari”, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
2
National Interuniversity Consortium of Materials Science and Technology, INSTM, 50121 Florence, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

The use of lightweight building materials based on local vegetable resources and carbon-neutral
binders is not only an important step towards reducing the environmental impact of the construction
sector but also highly interesting for recycling of agricultural residue, whose management is an
important issue. Most attention has been paid to lime-based agro-concretes, but low binder-
aggregate compatibility, as well as slow strength gain, are drawbacks. The use of magnesia-based
binders has the potential to mitigate these problems.

This work presents a comparative study between lightweight hemp concretes manufactured using
modified magnesium oxysulfate (MOS) or lime as binder. A traditional casting method was used,
i.e. uniaxial compaction in molds. Compressive strength, thermal conductivity and moisture buffer
capacity of the two types of concretes were measured in the directions parallel and perpendic-
ular to the applied compaction force. The results show a strong direction dependence of the
mechanical performances, being higher parallel to the compaction force, whereas no significant dif-
ferences were observed for thermal conductivity and moisture buffer values in the two orthogonal
directions.

The feasibility to develop lightweight magnesia-hemp concretes technologically competitive with

lime-based ones will be evidenced. It will be shown that the trade-off between mechanical strength
and thermal insulation properties is improved in MOS-hemp concrete with respect to traditional
lime-hemp concrete, possibly due to a mechanically stronger matrix.

Graphical abstract

29
Parametric analysis of binder-powder interaction in binder jet 3D printing of
cement-based materials

F. Salari*, P. Bosetti, V.M. Sglavo

Department Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, via Sommarive 9, 38123 Trento, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

The present work addresses the powder bed binder jet printing as an additive manufacturing
process for cement-based materials in the constructions industry. Features are created through
the interaction among the droplets of the liquid binding agent and the layered powder bed. The
printhead movement over the powder bed at a given feed rate forms a single-line from the coalesce
of successive droplets and adjacent lines are consolidated to create the designed cross-section.
Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the formation of a single line is essential for ensuring
the quality of printed parts. Statistical models have been developed to study the effect of printing
parameters (aggregate particle size, feed rate, velocity of powder spread, pressure of the fluid,
and nozzle diameter) on the resultant dimension of a single printed line, using a factorial design
of experiment. Droplets impact on powder beds were studied experimentally to explain the
different resulting granule formation of a single line. Powder bed density measured as a function of
aggregate particle size and powder spreading speed, during the printing process. The determined
Ohnesorge number of the developed binder reflects the behavior of the liquid jet exiting from the
nozzle. The results demonstrate a fundamental understanding of the binder–powder interaction
for cementitious materials; and it can be leveraged to determine the minimum printable feature
with required dimensional accuracy, based on the chosen process parameters.

30
Progress of fibre coatings in fabric-reinforced lime-based composites: materials
selection and property optimisation

A. Sola1 *, C. Signorini2 CT

1
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Clayton, Australia
2
Research Centre "CRICT", University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Lime-based fabric-reinforced composite materials (FRCM) are increasingly popular in the restoration
of historical masonry. However, FRCM systems often fail to take full advantage of the theoretical
tensile strength of high-performance fabrics. In order to improve current-day FRCMs, proper fibre
coatings have proven to foster the chemical affinity and hence the bonding strength at the matrix-to-
fibre interphase, whereas organic coatings are known to bind the yarn filaments together, avoiding
the so-called telescopic failure. In this contribution, alkali-resistant (AR) glass fibres are coated
with epoxy resin using either m-phenylenediamine (aromatic compound) or diethylenetriamine
(aliphatic compound) as the hardener. The choice of the curing agent deeply affects the behaviour
of the obtained FRCM systems, changing both their mechanical response under uni-axial tensile
loads [1] and their resistance to high temperature [2]. Notably, the behaviour at high temperature
of organic-matrix reinforcing systems is a very delicate point that needs further scrutiny by the
scientific community. Finally, it is shown that tuning the viscosity of the coating may have major
advantages [3,4], increasing the mechanical performance of the whole FRCM and boosting the
economic viability.

References
[1] Messori, M., Nobili, A., Signorini, C., Sola, A. (2018). Mechanical performance of epoxy coated AR-
glass fabric textile reinforced mortar: influence of coating thickness and formulation. Composites Part B:
Engineering, 149, 135-143.
[2] Messori, M., Nobili, A., Signorini, C., Sola, A. (2019). Effect of high temperature exposure on epoxy-coated
glass textile reinforced mortar (GTRM) composites. Construction and Building Materials, 212, 765-774.
[3] Signorini, C., Nobili, A., Sola, A., Messori, M. (2020). Designing epoxy viscosity for optimal mechanical
performance of coated Glass Textile Reinforced Mortar (GTRM) composites. Construction and Building
Materials, 233, 117325.
[4] Signorini, C., Nobili, A., Sola, A., Messori, M. (2019, September). Optimal Epoxy Dilution for Epoxy-Coated
Textile Reinforced Mortar (TRM): An Experimental Perspective. In Conference of the Italian Association of
Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (pp. 499-511). Springer, Cham.

31
Materials characterization and thermal analysis of PCM-silica mixtures for back-
filling of ground heat exchangers
S. Barbi1 *, F. Barbieri2 , S. Marinelli2 , B. Larwa3,4 , B. Rimini2,5 , S. Merchiori6 , M. Bottarelli3,6 , M. Montorsi2,5
CT

1
Interdepartmental Research Center for Industrial Research and Technology Transfer in the Field of Integrated
Technologies for Sustainable Research, Efficient Energy Conversion, Energy Efficiency of Buildings, Lighting and Home
Automation - EN&TECH, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Amendola 2, 42122, Reggio Emilia, Italy
2
Department of Science and Methods for Engineering, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Amendola 2,
42122, Reggio Emilia, Italy
3
Department of Architecture, University of Ferrara, Via Quartieri 8, 44121, Ferrara, Italy
4
Cracow University ot Technology, Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Warszawska 24, 31-155 Cracow,
Poland
5
Interdepartmental center for applied research and services in advanced mechanics and motoring - INTERMECH-
Mo.Re, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via P. Vivarelli 10/1, 41125, Modena, Italy
6
TekneHub laboratory – University of Ferrara, Via Saragat 13, 44122, Ferrara, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

In this study two paraffin-based phase change materials (PCMs) were mixed separately with common silica
(30% v/v) and characterized to evaluate their potential for latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES). Each
mixture underwent 16 thermal cycles and physical, structural, and thermal characterization were performed
through a multidisciplinary approach. Structural properties were investigated through environmental
scanning electron microscopy coupled with X-Ray spectrometry (ESEM-EDS) and Fourier transform infrared
spectroscopy (FTIR). Physical properties were measured by grain size laser diffraction, pore analysis and
optical microscopy. Finally, thermal properties were investigated through differential scanning calorimetry
(DSC) and laboratory-scale experimental simulation of a melting-freezing thermal bath. Results shown
that silica addition to PCMs lead to a reduction of the melting and freezing time of the mixtures, that can
be enhanced by employing n-octadecane as PCM. A reduction in grain and pore size was detected and
attributed to mechanical friction among particles, while chemical composition remained constant through
cycles. Despite changes in mixtures’ physical properties, thermal performances remained constant through
cycles, demonstrating the feasibility of silica - PCMs mixtures for distributed LHTES coupled with ground
heat exchangers for shallow geothermal applications.

32
Cementitious matrixes for nuclear waste management: effect of admixtures on
fresh state properties
M. J. de Hita Fernández*, M. Criado Sanz

Eduardo Torroja Institute for Construction Sciences. IETcc-CSIC, 28033Madrid, Spain

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Ion exchange resins are widely used to purify liquid effluents from nuclear power plants. The spent resins
are managed by their immobilization in Portland cement matrixes, representing the largest contribution
in volume and activity to the inventory of intermediate- and low-level radioactive waste in Spain. This
study proposes a more sustainable and safe immobilization solution replacing 100% of Portland clinker
by alkali-activated solid aluminosilicate powders. With this aim, fresh state properties of these activated
matrixes have been assessed previously to the incorporation of ion exchange resins to know their fluidity
and their workability. In order to improve the workability of the samples and control the setting times,
superplasticizer admixtures with different compositions have been considered. The alkali-activated matrixes
have been designed with a mixture of 70% blast furnace slag and 30% fly ash activated with two different
alkaline solutions: sodium silicate and sodium carbonate. Moreover, a comparative study of the fresh state
properties of the cementitious matrix based on Portland cement that is currently used in Spain for the
disposal of resins has been carried out, using minislump, setting time, and calorimetry tests. The results
show the workability of the different cement matrixes is influenced by the nature and the dose of admixture.
Smaller amounts of the polycarboxylate admixtures are required to enhance the fluidity of the system based
on Portland cement. These admixtures reach, from the point of view of workability, the best improvement
in the properties of the cementitious materials, in which inter-particle electrostatic repulsion prevails over
the complex formation.

Funding: This work is financially supported by the Community of Madrid, Ayudas a la Atracción de Tal-
ento Investigador, IRINEMA project (https://irinema.ietcc.csic.es/), “Immobilization of nuclear grade ion
resins in alkali-activated materials (2019-T1/AMB-13672)”.
Acknowledgments: Thanks to Grupo Cementos Portland Valderrivas and Cementos Tudela Veguín, for the
supplying of raw material and SIKA, for supplying the admixtures.

33
Mechanics of Solids and Structures
Antiplane surface waves in the framework of strongly anisotropic surface elas-
ticity

V.A. Eremeyev1,2 * IT

1
Department of Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Gdańsk University of Technology, 80-233 Gdańsk,
Poland
2
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture, University of Cagliari, 09123 Cagliari, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Within the recently proposed in [1] model of surface elasticity the propagation of anti-plane surface waves is
discussed. The model was motivated by the microstructure of hyperbolic metasurfaces. For the proposed
model, the surface strain energy coincides with 2D strain gradient continuum with reduced dependence on
second derivatives of displacements. From the physical point of view the model describes finite deformations
of an elastic solid with an elastic fiber-reinforced membrane attached on its boundary. The reinforcement
consists of long flexible fibers with essential bending stiffness. The equations of motion are derived using
the least action variational principle. The dispersion relations for surface anti-plane waves are analysed.
We show that the bending stiffness changes essentially the dispersion relation and conditions of anti-plane
surface wave propagation. Some similar problems for isotropic media were considered in [2,3].

References
[1] Eremeyev, V.A. (2020). Strongly anisotropic surface elasticity and antiplane surface waves. Philosophical
Transactions of the Royal Society A, 378(2162), 20190100.
[2] Eremeyev, V.A., Rosi, G., Naili, S. (2020). Transverse surface waves on a cylindrical surface with coating.
Int. J. Engng. Sci., 147, 103188.
[3] Mikhasev, G.I., Botogova, M.G., Eremeyev, V.A. (2021). On the influence of a surface roughness on
propagation of anti-plane short-length localized waves in a medium with surface coating. Int. J. Eng. Sci. 158,
103428.

34
Snap-through of a bi-stable truss in finite elasticity

M. Pelliciari*, F.O. Falope, L. Lanzoni, A.M. Tarantino IT

Department of Engineering “Enzo Ferrari”, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Equilibrium and stability of truss structures are often analyzed considering only geometric nonlinearities.
However, the assumption of linear elastic material is not consistent with the response of solids subjected to
large deformations. Therefore, an accurate model should take into account both geometric and constitutive
nonlinearities. In this contribution, we consider a von Mises truss [1] composed of rubber bars and subjected
to a vertical load (Figure). The highly deformable material allows to observe large displacements and
deformations. We present a theoretical model that is entirely developed in three-dimensional finite elasticity
[2]. The nonlinear constitutive behavior of the rubber is simulated using a Mooney-Rivlin law, whose
parameters are identified by fitting experimental data from uniaxial tests. Experiments are carried out and
snap-through instability [3] is observed. It is shown that the experimental results are in good agreement
with the theoretical simulations.

The von Mises (or two-bar) truss subjected to a vertical load

References
[1] Mises, R. (1923). Über die stabilitätsprobleme der elastizitätstheorie, Z. Angew. Math. Mech. 3.6 406–422.
[2] Pelliciari, M., Tarantino, A.M. (2020). Equilibrium paths for von Mises trusses in finite elasticity. J. Elast.
138, 145-168.
[3] Pecknold, D.A., Ghaboussi, J., Healey, T.J. (1985). Snap-through and bifurcation in a simple structure. J.
Eng. Mech. 111, 909–922

35
Equivalent particle in conduction homogenization and application to a compos-
ite spheroid

J.-F. Barthélémy1 *, F. Bignonnet2 , A. Adessina3 IT

1
Cerema, Research-team DIMA, 110 rue de Paris, BP 214, Provins Cedex 77487, France
2
GeM, Research Institute of Civil Engineering and Mechanics, UMR CNRS 6183, Université de Nantes, France
3
Cerema NC, 11, rue Laplace - CS 2912, 41029 Blois, France

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

The notion of morphologically representative pattern (MRP) has been introduced to extend the scope
of homogenization schemes and bounds beyond the case of uniform ellipsoids [1]. In the framework of
estimation schemes for the conductivity property, the present work aims at revisiting the issue of the
replacement of a heterogeneous MRP by an equivalent homogeneous one in the auxiliary Eshelby problem.
First it is shown that if the outer boundary of the MRP is ellipsoidal then Eshelby-type expressions of the
concentration tensors still hold provided that an equivalent conduction is correctly assigned to the MRP. This
equivalent conduction is shown to satisfy the major symmetry but is not necessarily intrinsic to the particle
insofar as it may depend on the surrounding reference medium as illustrated by peculiar composite spheres
[2]. To increase the set of available patterns, the problem of an n-layer confocal spheroid with imperfect
interfaces embedded in an infinite matrix is then resolved. In the case of perfect interfaces, the equivalent
conduction is independent from the surrounding medium and provided by a recursive algorithm. The case of
a homogeneous spheroid surrounded by an imperfect interface is finally developed together with simplified
approximated models of equivalent particle [3].

References
[1] Bornert, M., Stolz, C., Zaoui, A. (1996). Morphologically representative pattern-based bounding in elasticity.
J. Mech. Phys. Solids, vol. 44, no. 3, pp. 307–331.
[2] Adessina, A., Barthélémy, J.-F., Ben Fraj, A. (2020). Micromechanical model for the diffusion properties of
materials embedding complex structures. Mech. Mater., p. 103404.
[3] Barthélémy, J.-F., Bignonnet, F. (2020). The Eshelby problem of the confocal N-layer spheroid with
imperfect interfaces and the notion of equivalent particle in thermal conduction. Int. J. Eng. Sci., vol. 150, p.
103274.

36
Temperature-induced textures on nematic shells

G. Napoli1 *, L. Vergori2 IT

1
Dipartimento di Matematica e Fisica “E. De Giorgi”, Università del Salento, Lecce, Italy
2
Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Università degli Studi di Perugia, Perugia, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Based on the Landau-de Gennes theory for liquid crystal shells [1], we study the isotropic-nematic phase
transition induced by cooling on a spherical shell [2]. It turns out that the transition temperature is affected
by curvature. The nematic alignment at the critical temperature, calculated analytically, is compatible with
experimental observations [3]. The textures around the defects, not imposed a priori, are in agreement with
the prediction of the Poincaré-Hopf index theorem [4].

References
[1] Napoli, G., Vergori, L. (2012). Surface free energies for nematic shells, Phys. Rev. E, 85, 061701.
[2] Napoli, G., Vergori, L. (2021). In preparation.
[3] Lopez-Leon, T., et al. (2011). Frustrated nematic order in spherical geometries, Nature Physics, 7, 391.
[4] Poincaré-Hopf theorem, Encyclopedia of Mathematics, EMS Press, 2001.

37
Post-buckling of an elastic half-space coated by double layers

M. Zhou1 , Z. Cai1 , Y. Fu2 * IT

1
Department of Mechanics, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P.R. China
2
School of Computing and Mathematics, Keele University, Staffs ST5 5BG, UK

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

We investigate the buckling and post-buckling properties of a hyperelastic half-space coated by two hypere-
lastic layers when the composite structure is subjected to a uniaxial compression. In the case of a half-space
coated with a single layer, it is known that when the shear modulus µf of the layer is larger than the shear
modulus µs of the half-space, a linear analysis predicts the existence of a critical stretch and wave number,
whereas a weakly nonlinear analysis predicts the existence of a threshold value of the modulus ratio µs/µf
∼ 0.57 below which the buckling is super-critical and above which the buckling is sub-critical [1–3]. It is
shown in this paper that when another layer is added, a larger variety of behaviour can be observed. For
instance, buckling can occur at a preferred wavenumber super-critically even if both layers are softer than
the half-space although the top layer would need to be harder than the bottom layer. When the shear
modulus of the bottom layer lies in a certain interval, the super-critical to sub-critical transition can happen
a number of times as the shear modulus of the top layer is increased gradually. Thus, an extra layer imparts
more flexibility in producing wrinkling patterns with desired properties, and our weakly nonlinear analysis
provides a road map on the parameter regimes where this can be achieved.

References
[1] Cai, Z.X., Fu, Y.B. (1999). On the imperfection sensitivity of a coated elastic half-space, Proc R Soc Lond A,
455, 3285—3309.
[2] Hutchinson, J.W. (2013). The role of nonlinear substrate elasticity in the wrinkling of thin films, Phil Trans
R Soc, A 371, 20120422.
[3] Alawiye, H., Farrell, E., Goriely, A. (2020). Revisiting the wrinkling of elastic bilayers ii: post-bifurcation
analysis, J Mech Phys Solids, 143, 104053.

38
Reduced dimensional models for microstructured plates

A. Nobili* CT

Department of Engineering “Enzo Ferrari”, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

A model describing elongation and extension of plates accounting for size-dependence is derived by asymp-
totic reduction. Size dependence is described by the couple stress theory of elasticity with micro-inertia.
The role of the microstructure is especially important when expressing inertia terms [1–3]. Also, the asymp-
totic model is the same whether the reduced couple-stress or the strain-gradient 3D theory is adopted.
Higher order models are also asymptotically derived which incorporate the role of thickness-stretch and
thickness-shear vibrations.

References
[1] Nobili, A., Volpini, V., Signorini, C. (2021). Antiplane Stoneley waves propagating at the interface between
two couple stress elastic materials. Acta Mechanica, 1-19.
[2] Nobili, A., Radi, E., Signorini, C. (2020). A new Rayleigh-like wave in guided propagation of antiplane
waves in couple stress materials. Proceedings of the Royal Society A, 476(2235), 20190822.
[3] Nobili, A., Radi, E., Vellender, A. (2019). Diffraction of antiplane shear waves and stress concentration in a
cracked couple stress elastic material with micro inertia. Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, 124,
663-680.

39
Asymptotic methods in nonlocal elasticity

J. Kaplunov, D. Prikazchikov, L. Prikazchikova* IT

School of Computing and Mathematics, Keele University, Keele, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, United Kingdom

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

The equations in nonlocal elasticity are considered, taking into account the presence of a small parameter
originating from a typical microscale. The emphasis is on the boundary layers localized near surfaces and
interfaces.

As an example, anti-plane shear motion of an elastic half-space is studied. It is shown that the first order
correction to the classical elasticity comes namely from taking into account the aforementioned boundary
layers. This phenomenon manifests itself as effective boundary conditions on the surface. The equivalence of
the differential and integral formulations in nonlocal elasticity is demonstrated for several types of nonlocal
kernels. The generalizations to 3D elasticity earlier tackled in the papers [1, 2] are also revisited.

References
[1] Chebakov, R., Kaplunov, J., Rogerson, G.A. (2016). Refined boundary conditions on the free surface of an
elastic half-space taking into account non-local effects, Proc. Roy. Soc. A 472.2186, 20150800.
https://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.2015.0800
[2] Chebakov, R., Kaplunov, J., Rogerson, G.A. (2017). A non-local asymptotic theory for thin elastic plates,
Proc. Roy. Soc. A 473.2203, 20170249.
https://doi.org/10.1098/rspa.2017.0249

40
Asymptotic analysis of vibrations in membranes with clusters of small inclusions

M. Nieves1 *, V. Maz’ya 2,3,4 , A. Movchan4 IT

1
School of Computing and Mathematics, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, UK
2
Department of Mathematics, Linköping University, Linköping S581 83, Sweden
3
RUDN University, 6 Miklukho-Maklay St, Moscow, 117198, Russia
4
Department of Mathematical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZL, UK

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

We discuss formal asymptotic algorithms that can be employed to model vibrations supported by elastic
membranes containing clusters of inertial inclusions distributed along contours of pre-defined smooth
shapes. Attention is given to the approximation of (i) wave scattering produced by clusters of inclusions in
infinite membranes, and (ii) the asymptotic analysis of low-frequency eigenvalues and eigenmodes for finite
membranes with clusters of small inclusions. Effective conditions characterising the inertial interfaces in the
low-frequency regime are discussed. Numerical illustrations are provided that demonstrate the effectiveness
of the asymptotic approaches.

41
General framework for evaluation of finite Energy Release Rate in Linear Elastic
Fracture Mechanics and beyond

G. Mishuris* IT

Aberystwyth University, Ceredigion SY23 3BZ, Wales, UK

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

One of the LEFM assumptions is that the crack faces are traction-free or, at most, loaded by bounded tractions.
Additionally to the Rice formula, Irwin’s crack closure integral is widely used for the computation of ERR.
However, there are practical situations where the load acting on the crack boundaries is singular. This is the
case, for instance, in hydraulic fracturing, where the fluid inside the crack exerts singular tangential tractions
at its front. Another example of unbounded tractions is the case of a rigid inclusion (anticrack) embedded into
an elastic body. In such situations, the classical Irwin’s crack closure integral fails to provide the correct ERR.
We present the results in the most general form, where six Stress Intensity Factors are present: three of them
are classical SIFs corresponding to the modes I-II-III and computed under the assumption of homogeneous
boundary conditions at the defect surfaces, while the other three SIFs are associated with singular admissible
tractions (those that lead to a finite ERR value). The general theory (with the corrected Irwin’s crack closure
integral representation) allow to analyse, among others, hydraulic fracturing, soft materials containing stiff
inclusions, rigid inclusions, shear bands and cracks characterized by the Gurtin-Murdoch surface stress
elasticity. It also resolves an ambiguity in using the same SIF’s terminology in the cases of open cracks and
rigid inclusions.

42
Measuring stress levels in structures directly with ultrasonic waves

G.Y. Li1 , A.L. Gower2 , M. Destrade3 * IT

1
Harvard Medical School and Wellman Center for Photomedicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114,
USA
2
Faculty Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
3
School of Mathematics, Statistics and Applied Mathematics NUI Galway, Galway, Ireland

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Measuring stress levels in loaded structures is crucial to assess and monitor their health, and to predict
the length of their remaining structural life. However, measuring stress non-destructively has proved quite
challenging. Many ultrasonic methods are able to accurately predict in-plane stresses inside a controlled
laboratory environment, but struggle to be robust outside, in a real-world setting. That is because they
rely either on knowing beforehand the material constants (which are difficult to acquire) or they require
significant calibration for each specimen. We present an ultrasonic method to evaluate the in-plane stress in
situ directly, without knowing any material constants a priori. The method is simple in principle, as it only
requires measuring the speed of two shear waves travelling at an angle to the direction of stress. It is based
on a formula which is exact for incompressible solids, such as soft gels or tissues, and is approximately true
for compressible “hard” solids, such as steel and other metals. We validate the formula with Finite Element
simulations, showing that it displays excellent accuracy, with a small error of the order of 1%.

Finite Element simulation of the quasi-shear wave propagation. (a) Schematic of the FE model. The stress is determined
by σ1 and the out-of-plane strain. The wave is induced by a body force defined in the local coordinate systems. (b)
Snapshot of the shear wave propagation. Six points at equal distance d are used to measure the wave speed. (c) Time
profiles of the particle velocities at these points shown in (b)

43
Some results for surface waves in the framework of gradient theories for mi-
crostructures materials

P.A. Gourgiotis1 *, T. Zisis2 , G. Koutsi2 , H.G. Georgiadis2 IT

1
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Thessaly, Greece
2
Mechanics Division, National Technical University of Athens, Greece

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

It is well known that the classical theory of elasticity predicts Rayleigh-wave motions, which are not dispersive
at any frequency [1]. Of course, at high frequencies, this is a result that contradicts experimental data and
does not agree with the results of atomic-lattice theories. Moreover, the classical theory fails completely to
predict the existence of torsional and antiplane SH (horizontally polarized) surface waves in a homogeneous
(isotropic or anisotropic) half-space with a free surface [1]. In such cases, dispersion phenomena can be
explained on the basis of generalized continuum theories. In particular, gradient theories enrich the classical
continuum with an augmented Euler-Cauchy stress principle and additional material lengths (characteristic
lengths), in order to describe the scale effects resulting from the material microstructure. In this way, gradient
theories extend the range of applicability of the ‘continuum’ concept in an effort to bridge the gap between
classical continuum theories and atomic-lattice theories.

The present work studies the propagation and dispersion of surface waves in the context of the complete
Toupin-Mindlin theory of strain-gradient elasticity that includes micro-inertial effects [2]. Our purpose here
is to examine the possible deviations from the predictions of the classical theory of elasticity as well as other
generalized continuum theories such as the couple-stress theory and the simplified strain-gradient theory
which are frequently utilized in the last decade for the solution of wave propagation problems [3-6]. It is
shown that unlike the simplified gradient elasticity theory, the complete Toupin-Mindlin gradient elasticity
(with five microstructural parameters) is capable of predicting torsional and SH surface waves in a purely
isotropic and homogeneous material. In fact, it is shown that torsional and SH surface waves are dispersive
and can propagate at any frequency (i.e. no cut-off frequencies appear). Moreover, it is shown that Rayleigh
waves become dispersive with dispersion characteristics that depend strongly upon the microstructural
length scales of the Toupin-Mindlin theory. The dispersion curves obtained in both cases are of prime
importance for the conception of tailored meta-materials since they allow linking the geometric properties
of the unit cell with the dynamic properties of the lattice.

References
[1] Achenbach, J.D. (1984). Wave propagation in elastic solids. North-Holland, Amsterdam.
[2] Mindlin., R.D. (1964). Micro-structure in linear elasticity. Archive for Rational Mechanics and Analysis. 16,
51-78.
[3] Georgiadis, H.G., Vardoulakis, I., Velgaki, E.G. (2004). Dispersive Rayleigh-wave propagation in microstruc-
tured solids characterized by dipolar gradient elasticity. Journal of Elasticity 74, 17–45.
[4] Georgiadis, H.G., Velgaki, E.G. (2003). High frequency Rayleigh waves in materials with micro-structure
and couple-stress effects. International Journal of Solids and Structures. 40, 2501-2520.
[5] Georgiadis, H.G., Vardoulakis, I., Lykotrafitis, G. (2000). Torsional surface waves in a gradient elastic
half-space. Wave Motion. 31, 333-348.
[6] Gourgiotis,P.A., Georgiadis, H.G., Neocleous, I. (2013). On the reflection of waves in half-spaces of
microstructured materials governed by dipolar gradient elasticity. Wave Motion. 50, 437-455.

44
Thermoelastic dispersion and dissipation of surface waves in an orthorhombic
half-space

A. Nobili1 , A.V. Pichugin2 * IT

1
Department of Engineering “Enzo Ferrari”, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
2
Department of Mathematics, CEDPS, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Thermoelastic coupling produces dispersion and dissipation of elastic waves that is often so weak that it
tends to be ignored in engineering practice. However, the effect grows stronger for shorter wavelengths,
to the extent that thermoelastic effects dominate dissipation in modern SAW devices. Direct modelling
of such effects is possible, but results in unwieldly algebra, especially for anisotropic media. We explore
an alternative, asymptotic approach, which exploits the presence of a natural small parameter expressing
departure from the purely adiabatic response. The resulting problem possesses a boundary layer, which
can be used to formulate effective boundary conditions for the equations of orthorhombic elasticity with
adiabatic material constants. We demonstrate that this formulation is sufficient to reproduce thermoelastic
dispersion and dissipation of surface waves travelling along the isothermal boundary. We also discuss the
case of the perfectly insulated boundary.

45
Metamaterials and Shear Bands

D. Bigoni*, G. Bordiga, A. Piccolroaz IT

Department of Civil, Env. and Mechanical Engineering, Università di Trento, Trento, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Imagine a material in which shear bands and other instabilities may occur well inside the elastic range
and far from failure. A material that can be designed to produce shear bands with a desired inclination,
or in which shear bands are the first instability occurring at increasing stress, or in which the anisotropy
(not imperfections) allows the formation of only one shear band. Imagine that this material would be
characterized by rigorously determined elastic constitutive laws (thus avoiding complications such as the
double branch of the incremental constitutive laws of plasticity) and would be, at least in principle, a
material realizable (for instance via 3D printing technology) and testable in laboratory conditions. This
material would be ideal not only to theoretically analyze instabilities, but also to practically realize the
porous architected materials which are preconized to yield extreme mechanical properties such as foldability,
channelled response, and surface effects [1–2]. Works of Ponte Castañeda and Triantafyllidis [3-7] addressing
homogenization of composites are generalized to rigorously show that prestressed elastic lattices can be
made equivalent to elastic materials and metamaterials capable of extreme mechanical performances, to be
used for advanced applications.

References
[1] Bertoldi, K. (2017). Harnessing Instabilities to Design Tunable Architected Cellular Materials. Annu. Rev.
Mater. Res. 47.1, 51–61.
[2] Kochmann, D.M., Bertoldi, K.(2017). Exploiting Microstructural Instabilities in Solids and Structures: From
Metamaterials to Structural Transitions. Appl. Mech. Rev 69.5.
[3] Triantafyllidis, N., Maker, B.N. (1985). On the Comparison Between Microscopic and Macroscopic Instabil-
ity Mechanisms in a Class of Fiber-Reinforced Composites. J. Appl. Mech 52.4, 794–800.
[4] Geymonat, G., Müller, S., Triantafyllidis, N. (1993). Homogenization of Nonlinearly Elastic Materials,
Microscopic Bifurcation and Macroscopic Loss of Rank-One Convexity. Arch. Rational Mech. Anal. 122.3,
231–290.
[5] Santisi d’Avila, M.P., Triantafyllidis, N., Wen, G. (2016). Localization of Deformation and Loss of Macro-
scopic Ellipticity in Microstructured Solids. J. Mech. Phys. Solids, 97, 275–298.
[6] Ponte Castañeda, P. (2002). Second-Order Homogenization Estimates for Nonlinear Composites Incorpo-
rating Field Fluctuations: I-Theory. In: J. Mech. Phys. Solids, 50, 737–757.
[7] Ponte Castañeda, P. (2002). Second-Order Homogenization Estimates for Nonlinear Composites Incorpo-
rating Field Fluctuations: II-Applications. In: J. Mech. Phys. Solids, 50, 759–782.

46
Effective properties and generalized Floquet-Bloch spectrum of periodic ther-
modiffusive laminates

L. Morini* IT

School of Engineering, Cardiff University, 15-17 The Parade, Cardiff CF24 3AA, Wales, United Kingdom

* Corresponding author, Email: morinil@cardiff.ac.uk

Laminate materials subject to thermodiffusive phenomena are of interest for many important engineering
and technological applications. For example, several energy devices such as solide oxide fuel cells and
lithium ions batteries are caracterized by multi-layered configuration possessing many phases of different
composite materials. Estimating the overall properties of these materials is crucial in order to optimize their
performances. By means of a multi-field asymptotic homogenization method, exact expressions for the
elastic and thermo-diffusive tensors and for the overall inertial terms of the first order equivalent Cauchy
continuum are derived. Considering the cases of two-phase and three-phase thermo-diffusive layered
materials, the analytical solution performed by the first order homogenization approach is compared with
the numerical results obtained by the heterogeneous model assuming periodic body forces, heat and mass
sources.

The generalized Floquet-Bloch spectrum of a plane two-phase thermo-diffusive layered material is also
studied. Quasi-periodicity conditions are imposed on the boundary of the periodic unit cell, and the
dispersion curves for the heterogeneous material are obtained. The acoustic branches obtained by the
solution of the heterogeneous problem through rigorous Floquet-Bloch analysis are compared with those
derived by applying the proposed first order homogenized model, and a fair good agreement is achieved.

47
On generalised canonical axial waveguides

A.K. Farhat1 , Z. Chen1 , L. Morini1 , M. Gei2 * IT

1
School of Engineering, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 3AA, UK
2
Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

The dynamic behaviour of the class of periodic phononic waveguides whose unit cells are generated through
a quasicrystalline sequence can be interpreted geometrically in terms of a trace map that embodies the
recursive rule obeyed by traces of the transmission matrices. It has been recently shown [1,2] that for
a canonical waveguide, the orbits predicted by the trace map at specific frequencies, called canonical
frequencies, are periodic onto a surface in a 3D space associated with the invariant of the problem. In this
talk, we extend the concept of canonical phononic axial waveguide to generalised Fibonacci sequences
and show specific behaviours of the canonical configurations for the so-called silver-mean sequence. We
explore various kind of periodic orbits for the trace map associated with different self-similar properties
of the stop/pass band layout. The obtained results represent both a key to a better understanding of the
dynamic properties of classical two-phase composite waveguides and an important advancement towards
the realisation of composite quasicrystalline metamaterials.

References
[1] Gei, M., Chen, Z., Bosi, F., Morini, L. (2020). Phononic canonical quasicrystalline waveguides, Appl. Phys.
Lett., 116, 241903.
[2] Morini, L., Gei, M. (2018). Waves in one-dimensional quasicrystalline structures: dynamical trace mapping,
scaling and self-similarity of the spectrum, J. Mech. Phys. Solids, 119, 83-103.

48
Solitary waves in a non linear chain

A. Rakhimzhanova, M. Brun* IT

Università di Cagliari, Dipartimento di Ingegneria Meccanica, Chimica e dei Materiali

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Wave propagation in a non-linear discrete system is analysed. The mechanical system is a one-dimensional
lattice composed of masses m and non-linear chains. The chains are characterised by a shifted sigmoidal
force-displacement behaviour, in which only tensile stresses are transmitted as in a cable. The existence of
solitary waves is demonstrated numerically by solving a system of first order non/linear ordinary differential
equations (see Figure). A further analytical approximation is given, and the closed form solution is shown to
be in perfect agreement with the numerical results. Interestingly, once the material parameters have been
assigned, it is shown that the solitary wave is uniquely determined by the velocity of propagation c.

Displacement u as a function of time t, of the first 15 nodes in a semi-infinite chain.

49
Characterization of partially disordered microstructures of heterogeneous ma-
terials

I. Sevostianov1 *, V.I. Kushch2 IT

1
Department of Mechanical Engineering, New Mexico State University, PO Box 30001, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
2
Institute for Superhard Materials of the National Academy of Sciences, 04074 Kiev, Ukraine

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

We consider composite containing spherical inhomogeneities with their positions varying from perfectly
ordered to completely disordered microstructure. The partially disordered periodic packings of spheres are
generated in the framework of the reprehensive unit cell model with aid of the Metropolis type algorithm.
The orientation order invariants Qi introduced in [1] in the molecular physics context are taken as the
structural parameters providing a quantitative measure of disorder. Variation of these parameters due to
gradual disordering of the cubic symmetry packings is accounted in computer simulation. The effective
conductivity and elastic moduli of the spherical particle composites with partially disordered periodic
microstructure is found by the multipole expansion method. We identified a close relationship between the
order metrics and macroscopic properties of composite. The micromechanics-prompted approximation of
this relationship is suggested and tested on the numerical data obtained by computer simulation.

References
[1] Steinhardt, P.J., Nelson, D.R., Ronchetti, M. (1983). Bond-orientational order in liquids and glasses. Phys.
Rev. B 28, 784–805.

50
Waves in nonlinear elastodynamics

G. Saccomandi* IT

Dipartimento di Ingegneria, Università di Perugia, Via Goffredo Duranti, 93, Perugia 06125, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

We address the problem of plane waves in nonlinear elastodynamics. Despite this is a classical topic we
show that the usual results we expect in the isotropic classical materials about volume and shear wave are
contradicted when anisotropy and/or pre-strain are taken into account.

51
A unified methodology for computation of compliance and stiffness contribu-
tion tensors of inhomogeneities of arbitrary 2D and 3D shapes–open access soft-
ware

A. Trofimov1 *, A. Markov2 , I. Sevostianov3 IT

1
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
2
Department of Mechatronics, Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico City, CDMX, Mexico
3
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, USA

* Corresponding author, Email: anton.trofi[email protected]

Compliance and stiffness contribution tensors of the inhomogeneities constitute basic building blocks for
evaluation of composites’ effective properties using homogenization methods. Most of the existing results,
however, are obtained for inhomogeneities of simple shapes, like ellipsoidal. Moreover, there is no general
package comprising all softwares necessary to compute property contribution tensors. The available tools
do not have the accuracy and the functionalities required by the homogenization methods. Consequently,
newcomers must spend much time to handle incompatibilities of definitions and gather different tools to
achieve each task. As a result, each team working in the area of micromechanics has developed its own
tools which has scattered the efforts.

We have developed an open access program to calculate compliance and stiffness contribution tensors for
inhomogeneities of arbitrary shape that may be described either by explicit equation or graphically using .STL
file. The software uses mesh free method based on a class of Gaussian approximating functions developed
by [1,2]. First, to illustrate the accuracy of the procedure, we considered test cases for which analytical
solution is known such as spheroidal inhomogeneity, elliptical crack and rigid toroidal inhomogeneity. Finally,
we showed how the program can be applied to inhomogeneities of irregular shape described graphically.

References
[1] Kanaun, S.K. (2007). Fast Solution of 3D-Elasticity Problem of a Planar Crack of Arbitrary Shape. Int. J.
Fract. 148: 435–42.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10704-008-9208-4
[2] Kanaun, S. (2009). Fast Calculation of Elastic Fields in a Homogeneous Medium with Isolated Heteroge-
neous Inclusions. Int. J. Multiscale Comput. Eng. 7: 263–76
https://doi.org/10.1615/IntJMultCompEng.v7.i4.30

52
Dynamics of prestressed elastic lattices: Homogenization, instabilities, and strain
localization

G. Bordiga1 , L. Cabras2 , A. Piccolroaz1 *, D. Bigoni1 IT

1
Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, 38123 Trento, Italy
2
Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, 25121 Brescia, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

A lattice of elastic Rayleigh rods (possessing a distributed mass density, together with rotational inertia)
organized in a parallelepiped geometry can be axially loaded up to an arbitrary amount without distortion and
then be subject to incremental time harmonic dynamic motion. At certain threshold levels of axial load, the
grid manifests instabilities and displays non trivial axial and flexural incremental vibrations. Including ever y
possible structural geometry and for an arbitrary amount of axial stretching, Floquet Bloch wave asymptotics
is used to homogenize the in plane mechanical response, so to obtain an equivalent prestressed elastic
solid subject to incremental time harmonic vibration, which includes, as a particular case, the incremental
quasi static response. The equivalent elastic solid is obtained from its acoustic tensor, directly derived from
homogenization and shown to be independent of the rods rotational inertia. Lo ss of strong ellipticity in
the equivalent continuum coincides with macro bifurcation in the lattice, while micro bifurcation remains
undetected in the continuum and corresponds to a vibration of vanishing frequency of the lowest dispersion
branch of the lattice, occurring at finite wavelength. Dynamic homogenization reveals the structure of the
acoustic branches close to ellipticity loss and the analysis of forced vibrations (both in physical space and
Fourier space) shows low frequency wave localizations. In this way, features such as shear band inclination,
or the emergence of a single shear band, or competition between micro and macro instabilities become all
designable features. Therefore, the presented results pave the way for the design of architected cellular
materials to be used in applications where extreme deformations are involved.

(a) A lattice of prestressed rods; (b)Macroscopic bifurcation (shear band) at the verge of ellipticity loss; (c) Microsc
opic bifurcation inside the strong ellipticity range

References
[1] Bordiga, G., Cabras, L., Piccolroaz, A., Bigoni, D. (2021). Dynamics of prestressed elastic lattices: Homoge-
nization, instabilities, and strain localization, J. Mech. Phys. Solids, 146, 104198.

53
Tensegrity modeling of the spider dragline silk fiber and biomimetic fibers

A. Amendola*, F. Fraternali IT

Department of Civil Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132 – 84084 Fisciano (SA), Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Tensegrity concepts are ubiquitous in nature and appear, e.g., in every cell, in the microstructure of the spider
silk, and in the arrangement of bones and tendons for control of locomotion. The project study is focused on
the formulation of a tensegrity model of spider dragline silk fiber at the mesoscale through a multi-domain
network approach [1, 2] with tensegrity architecture [3]. We describe the fiber as a multi-walled tube formed
by coaxial cylindrical networks of b-sheet crystals (crystalline domains) [4] and polypeptide (amorphous)
chains (noncrystalline domains) [5]. Each tube consists of a network of helical-shaped elements loaded in
tension (or strings) [6] and circumferential elements loaded in compression (or bars). The strings correspond
to domains of amorphous chains attached to crystalline domains at their extremities, while the bars reproduce
the compressive stiffening effect that is played by beta-sheet plated crystals in the circumferential direction,
when the fiber is longitudinally stretched [3, 6]. Radial links transfer the compressive stresses from one tube
to another. The different tubes forming the fiber model describe the homogenized properties of different
sections of the core of the fiber. It is indeed largely accepted in the up-to-date literature that the outer
lipid, glycol and skin layers minimally contribute to the overall mechanical response of the fiber [6, 8]. The
presented model generalizes that recently proposed by Fraternali et al. [9] and paves the way the optimal
design of innovative biomimetic fibers with tensegrity architecture.

References
[1] Lin, N., Liu, X.Y. (2015). Correlation between hierarchical structure of crystal networks and macroscopic
performance of mesoscopic soft materials and engineering principles. Chem Soc Rev, 44(21):7881-915.
[2] Xu, G., Gong, L., Yang, Z., Liu, X.Y. (2014). What makes spider silk fibers so strong? from molecular-
crystallite network to hierarchical network structures. Soft Matter. 10(13):2116-23.
[3] Skelton, R.E., Nagase, K. (2012). Tensile tensegrity structures. Int J Space Struct, 27(2-3):131-7.
[4] Keten, S., Xu, Z., Ihle, B., Buehler, M.J. (2010). Nanoconfinement controls stiffness, strength and mechani-
cal toughness of B-sheet crystals in silk. Nat Mater. 9(4):359-67.
[5] Du, N., Xiang, Y.L., Narayanan, J., Li, L., Lim, M.L.M., Li, D. (2006). Design of superior spider silk: From
nanostructure to mechanical properties. Biophys J. 91(12):4528-35.
[6] Sponner, A., Vater, W., Monajembashi, S., Unger, E., Grosse, F., Weisshart, K. (2007). Composition and
hierarchical organisation of a spider silk. PLoS ONE. 2(10).
[7] Stehling, N., Abrams, K.J., Holland, C., Rodenburg, C. (2019). Revealing spider silk’s 3D nanostructure
through low temperature plasma etching and advanced low-voltage SEM. Front Mater. 5.
[8] Yazawa, K., Malay, A.D., Masunaga, H., Numata, K. (2019). Role of skin layers on mechanical properties
and supercontraction of spider dragline silk fiber. Macromol Biosci. 19(3).
[9] Fraternali, F., Stehling, N., Amendola, A., Tiban Anrango, B.A., Holland, C., Rodenburg, C. (2020). Tenseg-
rity modelling and the high toughness of spider dragline silk. Nanomaterials, 10, 1510.

54
Effect of pore coalescence on the effective conductivity of an isotropic mate-
rial

E. Radi1 *, L. Lanzoni2 , I. Sevostianov3 CT

1
Department of Sciences and Methods for Engineering, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 42122 Reggio Emilia,
Italy
2
Department of Engineering “Enzo Ferrari”, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
3
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88001, USA

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

The purpose of this work is to evaluate effect of two coalesced pores or insulating inhomogeneities on
the overall conductive properties of an isotropic material. Analytical modeling of the effective properties
of materials with microstructures formed by inhomogeneities of non-ellipsoidal shape has not been well
developed. The inhomogeneities are typically assumed to be ellipsoids of identical aspect ratios. This
unrealistic assumption is largely responsible for insufficient linkage between methods of micromechanics
and material science applications. The resistivity contribution tensor gives the extra temperature gradient
produced by introduction of the inhomogeneity into a material subjected to otherwise uniform heat flux. The
main goal of this work is to obtain an analytical solution for the components of the resistivity contribution
tensor of two overlapping pores, in the 2D and 3D frameworks [1, 2].

Variation of the components of the resistivity contribution tensor of two overlapped spheres with the distance between
their centers.

References
[1] Lanzoni, L., Radi, E., Sevostianov, I. (2018). Effect of cylindrical fibers, with cross-sections formed by two
circular arcs, on the overall conductivity of a composite. Int. J. Solids Struct., 138, 264-276.
[2] Lanzoni, L., Radi, E., Sevostianov, I. (2020). Effect of spherical pores coalescence on the overall conductivity
of a material. Mech. Mater., 148, 103463.

55
Effective elastic properties of heterogeneous material with concave pores and
transversely isotropic matrix

K. Du1 *, L. Cheng1 , J.-F. Barthélémy2 , I. Sevostianov3 , A. Giraud1 , A. Adessina2 IT

1
GeoRessources, 2 Rue du Doyen Marcel Roubault 54505 Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy France
2
Cerema, Project-team DIMA, 110 rue de Paris, BP 214, 77487 Provins Cedex, France
3
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88001, USA

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

The aim of present work is to estimate the effective elastic properties of anisotropic materials containing
concave pores. In the first part, the concentration and contribution tensors of pores of two reference 3D
shapes, supersphere and axisymmetry superspheroid are numerically calculated by Finite Element Method
(FEM) [1]. A recently developed corrected boundary condition [2] is adopted and extended to transversely
isotropic case in order to accelerate the convergence of simulation, by which, the classical infinite domain
are replaced by a finite one. The correction of boundary conditions is given as function of the gradient of
Green Function which depends on the anisotropic elasticity of matrix. Then approximate semi-analytical
formula of compliance contribution tensors are established on the basis of 3D FEM results and known exact
solutions for the limiting cases of spherical pores and circular crack. Finally, the effective elastic coefficients of
transversely isotropic materials are presented through different homogenization schemes: Non-interaction
approximation, Mori-Tanaka-Benveniste and Maxwell [3]. The impact of concavity parameter is estimated
on overall elastic properties.

References
[1] Du, K., Cheng, L., Barthélémy, J.-F., Sevostianov, I., Giraud, A., Adessina, A. (2020). Numerical compu-
tation of compliance contribution tensor of a concave pore embedded in a transversely isotropic matrix.
International Journal of Engineering Science. 152, 103306.
[2] Adessina, A., Barthélémy, J.-F., Lavergne, F., Ben Fraj, A. (2017). Effective elastic properties of materials
with inclusions of complex structure. International Journal of Engineering Science, Vol. 119, 1-15.
[3] Du, K., Cheng, L., Barthélémy, J.-F., Sevostianov, I., Giraud, A., Adessina, A. (2020). Effective elastic
properties of transversely isotropic materials with concave pores. Mechanics of Materials. 153, 103665.

56
An electrochemo-poromechanical theory for actuation and sensing of ionic poly-
mer metal composites

L. Bardella*, A. Leronni IT

Department of Civil, Environmental, Architectural Engineering and Mathematics (DICATAM), University of Brescia, Via
Branze, 43 25123, Brescia, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Ionic polymer metal composites (IPMCs) consist of an ionomer plated with metal electrodes, and are
employed as actuators and sensors. Their capabilities ensue from the motion, through the ionomer thickness,
of ions dispersed in a solvent. By leveraging on the cross-diffusion of solvent and ions, we propose a finite
deformation theory combining electrochemistry and poromechanics that explains the main features of the
IPMC behaviour. In actuation, an applied voltage triggers ion migration by electro- osmosis, thus transporting
the solvent to the cathode and determining bending towards the anode; then, back-relaxation occurs due to
both solvent counter-diffusion and asymmetric ions redistribution. In sensing, a mechanical load triggers
solvent motion and ions are transported to the cathode by convection, thus determining charge accumulation
at the electrodes; then, ions counter-diffuse thus decreasing the stored charge.

57
Analytical estimates of the pull-in voltage in MEMS and NEMS

G. Bianchi*, E. Radi CT

Department of Sciences and Methods for Engineering, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 42122 Reggio Emilia,
Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Micro- or Nano-Electro-Mechanical Systems, MEMS-NEMS, are currently employed in a wide variety of

applications, ranging from mechanical or electronic engineering to chemistry or biology. The growing interest
in this technology is due to notable need for accurate ultrasmall instruments and equipment characterized by
very diminutive size, low power consumption, high precision, reliability and compatibility with the integrated
circuits [1]. The micro- or nanocantilever beam electrode, suspended above a conductive substrate and
actuated by a voltage difference, is the fundamental component of many MEMS and NEMS devices. Moreover,
due to their smart mechanical and electronic properties and the recent progress in their fabrication, carbon
nanotubes are significantly exploited in industrial applications, such as sensors, nanoactuators, memory
devices and nanotweezers, becoming essential components in NEMS [2]. Recent research remarks the
role of micropumps in drug delivery systems able to regulate very small and accurate volumes in various
industrial, chemical and biomedical applications. Electrostatic micropumps typically are composed of two
parallel, thin, circular micro- or nanoplates. The membrane of the electrostatic micro¬pump can be actuated
and displaced towards the fixed electrode by applying a voltage across the electrodes. When the actuation
voltage is removed, the displaced membrane releases and returns to its original position. In general, under
the action of the electrostatic force and intermolecular surface forces, particularly significant at the micro-
or nanoscale, the movable electrode deflects toward to the substrate, thus reducing the separation distance
between the electrodes. Correspondingly, the magnitude of the attractive forces increases until at a critical
voltage, named the pull-in voltage, the flexible electrode collapses onto the substrate. In this work, an
analytical method is proposed for estimating the pull-in voltage and the correspondent deflection accurately,
thus providing a useful tool for the effective design of innovative MEMS and NEMS devices [3].

References
[1] Koochi, A., Abadyan, M. (2020). Nonliner Differential Equations in Micro/nano Mechanics. Application in
Micro/nano Structures and Electromechanical Systems, Elsevier.
[2] Bianchi, G., Radi, E. (2020). Analytical estimates of the pull-in voltage for carbon nanotubes considering
tip-charge concentration and intermolecular forces, Meccanica, 55, 193–209.
[3] Radi, E., Bianchi, G., di Ruvo, L. (2017). Upper and lower bounds for the pull-in parameters of a micro or
nanocantilever on a flexible support, Int. J. Nonlin. Mech. 92, 176-186.

58
The structural mechanics of the Vienna tramway rails: advanced beam theory-
assisted 1D/2D FE modelling

P. Kuttke, V. Jagsch, S. Scheiner, Ch. Hellmich* IT

Institute for Mechanics of Materials and Structures, TU Wien - Vienna University of Technology, A-1040 Vienna,
Austria

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Vienna disposes over the sixth largest tramway system in the world, having continuously grown until
its inception as a horse-drawn system in 1865 and its full electrification completed in 1902. Given the
considerable age of the system, rail durability issues and fractures increase, motivating deeper scientific
scrutiny of chemo-mechanical characteristics of the respective grooved rails, a type of rails much less
investigated and understood than the Vignole rails used for inter-city rail connections. We here report three
recently studied aspects of the mechanics of grooved rails: (i) the 3D stress distribution throughout grooved
rail can be efficiently computed through a novel 1D/2D Finite Element approach derived from the Principle
of Virtual Power applied to beams with strongly warping cross sections [1,2], (ii) the macroscopic elastic
properties are fairly homogeneously distributed across the rail cross sections, their magnitude being driven
by metal matrix embedding microcracks [3], and (iii) discontinuities in the elastic support increase the rail
stresses [4]. Given the almost perfect match of stress peaks predicted by the novel 1D/2D approach with
actual failure patterns impressively highlights (e.g. decay- or maintenance-induced) discontinuities in the
elastic support of the rails as an important factor increasing the fracture risk of ageing rails, on top of the
temperature and production-induced residual stresses which have been comparatively well studied in the
past.

References
[1] Hasslinger, P., Kurfürst, A., Hammer,T., Fischmeister,E., Hellmich, Ch., Scheiner, S. (2019). Shear stress
concentrations in tramway rails: Results from beam theory-based cross-sectional 2D Finite Element analyses,
Engineering Structures 195, 579-590.
[2] Kuttke, P., Kurfürst, A., Scheiner, S., Hellmich, Ch. (2019). Sequential 1D/2D Finite Element analyses of
tramway rails under bending and restrained torsion, based on the principle of virtual power, Mechanics of
Advanced Materials and Structures.
[3] Jagsch, V., Kuttke, P., Lahayne, O., Zelaya-Lainez, L., Scheiner, S., Hellmich, Ch. (2020). Multiscale and
multitechnique investigation of the elasticity of grooved rail steel, Construction and Building Materials 238,
117768.
[4] Kuttke, P., Hellmich, Ch., Scheiner, S. (2020). A principle of virtual power-based beam model reveals
discontinuities in elastic support as potential sources of stress peaks in tramway rails, Acta Mech 231,
4641–4663.

59
Elastica catastrophe machine

F. Dal Corso*, A. Cazzolli, D. Misseroni IT

Department of Civil, Env. and Mechanical Engineering, Università di Trento, Trento, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Based on the recent concept of universal snap surface disclosed for planar elasticae with kinematically
controlled ends [1], a catastrophe machine based on an elastic continuous element has been designed
and realized for the first time [2]. A general theoretical framework has been developed by extending that
of the classical catastrophe machines made up of discrete elastic systems [3]. Similarly to the classical
system, the elastica catastrophe machine splits the plane in monostable and bistable regions, but now it
is a flexible continuous element that displays a snapping mechanism when the controlled end properly
crosses the catastrophe locus from inside to outside. Furthermore, substantial changes in the catastrophe
locus properties, such as convexity and number of bifurcation points, are achievable by tuning the design
parameters. These findings open new perspectives in the design of cycle mechanisms for actuation and
dissipation devices towards energy harvesting, locomotion and wave mitigation, by combining catastrophe
theory with snapping mechanisms in structural mechanics.

References
[1] Cazzolli, A., Dal Corso, F. (2019). Snapping of elastic strips with controlled ends. Int. J. Sol. Struct. 162,
285-303.
[2] Cazzolli, A., Misseroni, D., Dal Corso, F. (2020). Elastica catastrophe machine: theory, design and
experiments. J. Mech. Phys. Sol. 136, 103735.
[3] Zeeman, E.C. (1972). A catastrophe machine Towards a Theoretical Biology, Edinburgh University Press,
Edinburgh, 276-282.

60
On models of imperfect interfaces

F. Lebon* IT

Aix-Marseille University, CNRS, Centrale Marseille, LMA, 13453 Marseille, France

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Adhesive-bonded composite joints are widely used in a variety of industrial and technological applications,
for example in aerospace, electronics, biomedical, automotive, shipbuilding and construction. In this paper,
the focus is on layered structures consisting of two adhesively bonded beams glued together by a thin
adhesive layer. In this context, the asymptotic behaviour of this thin interphase [1] is modelled assuming
that thickness is the small parameter of the analysis (see Figure). This approach makes it possible to propose
linear or non-linear spring type models depending on the behaviour of the adhesive. In particular, it is
possible to obtain non-penetration conditions, models taking into account a damage variable [2] or to
integrate multiphysical couplings [3]. In this paper, we will insist on how it is possible to obtain unilateral
behaviours with damage and how these models can be related to porosity measurements.

Acknowledgement The author would like to thank his colleagues R. Rizzoni, S. Dumont, A. Maurel-Pantel,
M.L. Raffa, E. Sacco and M. Serpilli for these years of fruitful collaboration.

References
[1] Rizzoni, R., Dumont, S., Lebon, F., Sacco, E. (2021). Higher order adhesive effects in composite beams,
European Journal of Mechanics / A Solids, 85, 104108.
[2] Bonetti, E., Bonfanti, G., Lebon, F., Rizzoni, R. (2017). A model of imperfect interface with damage,
Meccanica, 52, 1911–1922.
[3] Dumont, S., Serpilli, M., Rizzoni, R., Lebon, F. (2020). Numerical Validation of Multiphysic Imperfect
Interfaces Models, Frontiers in Materials, 7, Article 15.

61
Fiber reorientation in active viscoelastic media

J. Ciambella*, P. Nardinocchi IT

Department of Structural and Geotechnical Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome, 00184 Rome, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

In the recent years, we have studied fiber reorientation in anisotropic elastic media and considered both
passive [1], i.e., driven by mechanical loads, and active processes, e.g., driven by magnetic fields [2]. In another
recent work, we have introduced a structurally frame-indifferent model for anisotropic visco-hyperelastic
materials [3] in which the evolution laws of the dissipative process were determined by the elastic strain
energy and the dissipation densities. In this talk, we will present a model able to account for both previous
effects: the reorientation of the fibres due to the viscous relaxation of the matrix and to the fibre remodelling
eventually caused by an external source. Each effect is controlled by its own characteristic times. This model
reconciles the two approaches in [1] and [2] and can be used to describe the time-dependent response of
active metamaterials and biological tissues. Examples will be given to discuss the role of the relaxation times
in the constitutive response.

References
[1] Ciambella, J., Nardinocchi, P. (2021). A structurally frame-indifferent model for anisotropic visco-hyperelastic
materials. J. Mech. Phys. Solids 147, 104247.
[2] Ciambella, J., Nardinocchi, P. (2019). Magneto-induced remodeling of fibre-reinforced elastomers. Int. J.
Non. Linear. Mech. 117.
[3] Ciambella, J., Nardinocchi, P. (2019). Torque-induced reorientation in active fibre-reinforced materials.
Soft Matter 15, 2081–2091.

62
Damage-based hysteresis Bouc-Wen model for reinforced concrete elements

S. Sirotti1,2 , M. Pelliciari1,2 , B. Briseghella1 *, A.M. Tarantino2 CT

1
College of Civil Engineering, Fuzhou University, 350108 Fuzhou, PR China
2
Department of Engineering “Enzo Ferrari”, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Hysteresis is observed is various mechanical systems [1]. For structural elements, cyclic loads cause de-
terioration of their characteristics due to cracks opening, yielding and buckling of metallic elements, etc.
This contribution presents a smooth hysteresis model for reinforced concrete (RC) structural elements
that accounts for both damage and pinching effects [2]. The model is based on the Bouc-Wen differential
equation [3]. Deterioration of the mechanical properties is introduced through a damage index that includes
energy dissipation and ductility. Pinching is simulated by acting directly on the stiffness of the system. The
parameters of the model have clear physical meanings, which helps in the identification and interpretation
of the results. Applications to RC elements show that the model is suitable for describing complex cyclic
behaviours involving effects of damage (see Figure). Being defined by a smooth hysteresis law, the model is
a computationally-effective tool for dynamic and stochastic simulations.

Hysteresis cycles for a RC column: experimental data and model simulation.

References
[1] Bouc, R. (1971). A mathematical model for hysteresis, Acta Acust. united Ac., 24.1, 16–25.
[2] Pelliciari, M., Briseghella, B., Tondolo, F., Veneziano, L., Nuti, C., Greco, R., Lavorato, D., Tarantino, A.M.
(2020). A degrading Bouc-Wen model for the hysteresis of reinforced concrete structural elements, Struct.
Infrastruct. Eng., 16.7, 917–930.
[3] Wen, Y.K. (1976). Method for random vibration of hysteretic systems, J. Eng. Mech., 102.2, 249–263.

63
Advanced Composite Materials for Structural Purposes
Resilience Meets Sustainability in Coastal Construction

A. Nanni∗ IT

Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering (CAE), University of Miami, United States

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

More than any other regions of the planet, coastal areas are subject to unprecedented challenges deriving
from extreme weather events, sea-level rise, depletion of natural resources and population growth. Engineers
and technologists are proposing potential solutions intended to mitigate risks, enhance safety and preserve
the environment without disregarding the need for cost control. In the world of construction, changes can
occur and innovation be deployed only when new provisions and policies are developed and enforced by
local or state agencies, or when enlighten public or private owners are willing to embrace novel technology.
This is the case for coastal construction where resilience meets sustainability creating a quantum-leap
opportunity. A possible outcome are structures made of precast and cast-in-place concrete reinforced
with fiber-reinforced-polymer (FRP) composites, materials immune to chlorides that do not corrode. This
presentation will briefly cover recently completed projects using FRP reinforcement for concrete structures
with emphasis on coastal environments.

64
Modeling SRG interfacial bond behaviour and strength

F. Ascione*, A. Napoli, R. Realfonzo IT

Department of Civil Engineering, University of Salerno, 84084 Fisciano (SA), Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

In the field of external strengthening and repairing of existing structures, Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP)
composites represent now the most common and effective technological systems thanks to the ease of
application, ability to limit the aesthetic impact of the repair work on the original structure and, of course, to
their high strength performances. In order to overcome some disadvantages related to the epoxy resin, Fabric
Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (FRCM) systems, consisting of fiber textiles embedded into an inorganic
matrix, generally cement-based mortar, have recently enter the market as a “green” alternative to FRPs,
proving to be very competitive in increasing the performance of both masonry and concrete structures.
Among the typologies of FRCM systems, those made of steel fibers – investigated in the present study – have
recently captured the interest of the scientific community by emerging as a competitive solution to the use
of the more popular G- and C- FRCM composites, both in terms of strength performance and cost-efficiency.
FRCM performances are more affected by the stress transfer mechanisms at the interface between the
fabric reinforcement and inorganic matrix, since the failure is often expected at this interface. Within this
aspect, the interfacial bond-slip response plays a crucial role insofar as interfacial debonding initiation
and ultimate failure are concerned. The quantification of the interfacial response requires a reliable local
bond-slip constitutive law or model which is preparatory to the development of reliable design procedure.
The present paper deals with the development of bond-slip models for SRG systems applied to concrete. In
particular, six existing bond-slip interface models for FRP-concrete interface were selected from the technical
literature and modified to be applied to the case of SRG systems. The different parameters characterizing the
models were calibrated using an experimental database available by the authors [1] which includes results
of several direct single-lap shear (DSLS) tests performed on SRG strips bonded to concrete prisms.

References
[1] Ascione, F., Lamberti, M., Napoli, A.,Realfonzo, R. (2020). Experimental bond behavior of Steel Reinforced
Grout systems for strengthening concrete elements, Constr. Build. Mater. 232, 117105.

65
Tensile and pull-out behaviour of Steel Reinforced Grout connectors

S. Fares*, R. Fugger, S. De Santis, G. de Felice IT

Department of Engineering, Roma Tre University, 00146 Rome, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Mortar-based composites are an emerging technology for the repair and strengthening of reinforced concrete
and masonry structures. They are externally bonded to structural members and, thanks to their high
strength-to-weight ratio, provide a significant gain in structural capacity with minimum mass increase and
can be integrated in the plaster layer [1]. In most cases, the effectiveness of the retrofitting work relies on
the substrate-to-composite bond capacity. In some applications, mechanical connectors are also used to
prevent debonding and improve the performance of the retrofitted structure. The use of connectors is
recommended by design guidelines and suppliers are required to test them for acceptance [2]. The paper
presents a laboratory investigation on steel reinforced grout connectors, made by rolling ultra-high tensile
strength steel textiles, comprising either galvanized or stainless-steel micro cords. Tensile tests were carried
out for mechanical characterization. Pull-out tests were performed on connectors installed in holes drilled in
wall panels and injected with either cement or lime mortars. Brickwork, tuff masonry and limestone masonry
as well as concrete were used as substrate materials (Figure). Test results are commented to analyse the
effect of textile rolling on tensile response, of textile and matrix properties on pull-out strength and failure
mode, as well as to highlight their significance for design purposes.

Experimental setup and final stage of the execution of pull-out tests

References
[1] Nanni, A. (2012). FRCM strengthening - A new tool in the concrete and masonry repair toolbox. Concr. Int.
34, 43–49.
[2] ACI 549.6R-20: Guide to Design and Construction of Externally Bonded Fabric-Reinforced Cementitious
Matrix (FRCM) and Steel-Reinforced Grout (SRG) Systems for Repair and Strengthening Masonry Structures
(2020).

66
Investigation of multi-scale fibre-reinforced cementitious mortar (FRCM), devel-
oped using microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and sisal fibres

A. Gomes1 *, S. Parveen2 , S. Rana2 , R. Vanderlei3 , R. Fangueiro4 IT

1
Federal University of Technology - Paraná - UTFPR, Apucarana Campus, Apucarana, 86812-460, Brazil
2
School of Art, Design and Architecture, University of Huddersfield, Queensgate, Huddersfield, HD1 3DH, UK
3
Post Graduate Program in Civil Engineering, State University of Maringá - UEM, Maringá, 87020-900, Brazil
4
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Minho, Campus Azurém, Guimarães, 4800-058, Portugal

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

In this work, multi-scale FRCM were developed using MCC (0.1-1.5 wt.% of cement), and sisal fibers (20 mm,
0.50 wt.%), as reinforcements. MCC was first dispersed in water with surfactants - cetyltrimethylammonium
bromide/CTAB (40% of MCC wt.) or Pluronic F-127 (20% of MCC wt.) - using ultrasonication. The properties as
mechanical behaviour and microstructure of this innovative reinforcements were investigated. This advanced
composite material presented distinct advantages over only sisal fibre or MCC-based reinforcements. The
multi-scale FRCM exhibited a synergistic effect, with a slower crack initiation and propagation, and an
improvement of fracture energy up to 40%, leading to contributions concerning innovative materials in
construction [1].

Crack propagation analysis by digital image processing for the multi-scale FRCM reinforced with 0.1% MCC + 0.5% sisal
+ 40% CTAB, at 28 days.

References

[1] Parveen, S., Rana, S., Fangueiro, R., Paiva, M.C. (2017). A novel approach of developing micro crystalline
cellulose reinforced cementitious composites with enhanced microstructure and mechanical performance,
Cement and Concrete Composites. Elsevier Ltd, 78, 146-161.

67
Advanced Composites with Alkali-Activated Matrices for Strengthening of Struc-
tures: Review Study

I. Skyrianou, C.G. Papakonstantinou, L.N. Koutas* IT

Concrete Technology and RC Structures Lab, Dept. of Civil Engineering, University of Thessaly, Pedion Areos, Volos,
GR-38334, Greece.

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Old and seismically prone buildings are in need of strengthening to meet up with the latest building codes and
to prolong their service life. For over two decades Fibre Reinforced Polymers (FRP) have been successfully
used for this purpose. However, the poor performance in high temperatures of organic matrices has led
researchers to investigate the use of inorganic matrices. Consequently, Textile Reinforced Mortars (TRM)
have been opted for strengthening, since they incorporate textiles impregnated in inorganic cementitious
matrices. Lately, in order to promote sustainability and lower the high carbon emissions of cement, alkali-
activated mortars, also called geopolymers, have been investigated as an alternative. Their high performance
and fireproof properties have made them excellent candidates as matrices in advanced composites for
strengthening. This review aims to provide an overview of past research in the field of advanced composites
with alkali-activated matrices.

68
NFRCM-strengthened masonry, numerical and experimental analysis

D. Baraldi, G. Boscato*, C.B. de Carvalho Bello, A. Cecchi IT

IUAV University of Venice, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

The innovative sustainable technology based on natural fabric-reinforced cementitious matrix (NFRCM) is
analysed for strengthening masonry [1]. The new frontier of composite material is proposed as an alternative
to well-known traditional technologies used to improve the seismic behaviour of buildings, such as the
portuguese technique “gaiola pombalina”, the Italian “baraccata house” and the turkish “himis house”[2].
Preliminary sensitivity analysis is performed on NFRCM and “baraccata” numerical models. Both technologies
are numerically compared considering out-of-plane behaviour to emphasize the interface effects. From
the experimental results of in-plan incremental load test carried out by CNR-Ivalsa [3] a numerical model
is calibrated by non-linear pushover analysis to evaluate the behaviour of wall strengthened with natural
fibers. The efficacious of NFRCM technology is demonstrated by: i) not invasive intervention for insignificant
thickness; ii) sustainable technology; iii) global intervention involving whole surface avoiding failure local
mechanisms.

Experimental test on “baraccata” wall (a), numerical analyses on masonry (b) and NFRCM-strengthened masonry (c)
walls

References
[1] De Carvalho Bello, C.B., Cecchi, A., Meroi, E., Oliveira, D.V. (2017). Experimental and Numerical Investiga-
tions on the Behaviour of Masonry Walls Reinforced with an Innovative Sisal FRCM System. Key Engineering
Materials, 747, 190-195.
[2] Cruz H. et al. (2016). Lect Notes Civ Eng, 1.
[3] Galassi S., Ruggieri N., Tempesta G. (2015). Seismic Performance Evaluation of Timber—Framed Masonry
Walls Experimental Tests and Numerical Modelling. In: Ruggieri N., Tampone G., Zinno R. (eds) Historical
Earthquake-Resistant Timber Frames in the Mediterranean Area. Springer, Cham.

69
Materialization of 3D graphic statics: Through an innovative way of integration
High-tech and Low-tech for constructing a waste-based structural system
A. Ahmadnia*

Department of Architecture, Engineering, and Construction, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

The purpose of this research is to upcycle mismanaged waste materials that have harmful impacts on the
environment, with the humanitarian aim of generating a waste-based emergency shelter. Furthermore, we
try to modify the 3D graphic statics form-finding method by assuming the character of materials besides the
forces and geometry. Technology and its development should serve the people, solve their problems, and
make the world a better place for them. This research aims, in general, not only to answer the question
about the role of material in the equilibrium between form and forces in 3D graphic statics but also to follow
some humanitarian aims. Materials have the potential to be a language that is capable of constructing
a bridge between the digital world and the real world. All the calculations, designing, and form-finding
methods, in the computer, can be assembled in the real world through establishing proper materials. This
research proposes the materialization of 3D graphic statics to generating a better-optimized form. The
concept of materialization can define the materials for each structural member according to the applied
load. Finally, we assume a material diagram along with the forces and form diagram.

3D graphic statics – The forces, form, material diagrams

References
[1] Akbarzade, M. (2016). 3D Graphical Statics. Ph. D. thesis, ETH Zurich.
[2] Rippmann, M. (2016). Funicular Shell Design. Ph.D. thesis, ETH Zurich.
[3] Oxman, Robert, Oxman, Rivka. (2010).The New Structuralism Design, Engineering and Architectural
Technologies. Architectural Design, 80(4), 15-25.

70
The Influence of Second Order Transitions in the Structural Applications of Com-
posites in Building and Constructions

L.A. Credali* IT

1
Libero Docente, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Transitions in composite materials for structural applications play a crucial role in the determination of the
mechanical and thermal behaviour of the reinforcing systems. This state-of-the-art review focuses on the
definition of first and second order transitions in polymeric materials (thermoplastics and thermosetting),
commonly adopted as embedding matrices in high-performance FRP systems. The transitions of the 2nd
order of thermosetting resins have a dramatic impact on the morphological behaviour of the polymeric
material. Indeed, the glass-transition temperature (Tg ) influences the cross-linking reaction of the resin,
as a function of the polymerization conditions. The measurement techniques for the Tg are mentioned.
Furthermore, the behaviour of the cross-linked thermosetting materials in different conditions depending on
the Tg , with particular emphasis on the mechanical response, is analysed. From a structural standpoint, the
thermal properties of the embedding medium are crucial in order to predict the composite response during
service life. The safety specifications, as well as serviceability requirements for the Tg are here outlined, in
order to identify the most reasonable criteria to be adopted at the design stage.

71
Determination of the matrix-fiber cohesive material law using FRCM-concrete
joints

F. Focacci1 , T. D’Antino2 *, C. Carloni3 IT

1
University eCampus, 22060 Novedrate (CO), Italy
2
Department of Architecture, Built Environment, and Construction Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milano,
Italy
3
Department of Civil Engineering, Case Western Reserve University

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Fiber-reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) composites have been increasingly used to strengthen existing
concrete and masonry structures in the last decade. Two guidelines are available for the design and
construction of FRCM strengthened members: ACI 549.4R (2013) and CNR-DT 215 (2018). Both these
guidelines employ the effective strain, i.e. the strain at which the composite action is lost, as key parameter
for the evaluation of the capacity of FRCM strengthened members. The American guideline ACI 549.4R (2013)
employs the results of clevis-grip tensile tests on FRCM coupons to determine the composite effective strain.
Such strain is determined by the Italian guideline CNR-DT 215 (2018) combining the results of direct shear
tests on FRCM-substrate joints and of tensile test of bare fiber textile. The effective strain is strictly related
to the matrix-fiber bond behavior, which can be expressed by the interface shear stress-slip relationship,
i.e. the cohesive material law (CML). The effective strain is not sufficient for a full understanding of the
structural response of strengthened members, since the knowledge of the CML is needed to predict important
parameters such as the crack pattern or the location where debonding occurs in beams strengthened in
flexure. This paper provides a simple method to obtain the CML from the load response obtained by direct
shear tests of FRCM-substrate joints. The method is discussed and applied to the case of poliparaphenilene
benzobisoxazole (PBO) FRCM-concrete joints previously tested by the authors.

72
Influencing parameters for the failure mechanism of carbon-FRCM (Fibre Rein-
forced Cementitious Matrix systems)

G. Grana Castagnetti1 , B. Malchiodi2,3 *, C. Siligardi2,3 CT

1
Kerakoll S.p.A., 41049 Sassuolo (MO), Italy
2
Department of Engineering “Enzo Ferrari”, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy
3
InterMech-MO.RE., Interdepartmental Research Centre for Applied Research and Services in the Advanced Mechanics
and Motor Sector, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Nowadays, FRCM (Fibre-Reinforced Cementitious Matrix) systems are highly attractive for the building
materials market; thus, their optimization and development cover an essential role. This work points out the
chemical and physical parameters influencing the carbon-FRCM mechanical behaviour. Three different FRCM
composed of commercially available carbon fabric and different inorganic matrices were involved. Matrices
were specifically developed to enhance the adhesion with the fabric and differ in organic additive used.
Moreover, different fabric weavings and fibre coatings were considered: silica-fume, fine silica aggregate
and coarse silica aggregate. A new shear test set-up was designed to obtain an inexpensive characterization
method and employed with traditional mechanical tests. Morphological and compositional analyses were
performed on the surface fractures. Despite macro evidence due to the different matrix type and fibres
treatment involved, no significant differences in FRCM mechanical behaviour were observed. Otherwise,
a simple pull-out test displayed that, in comparison with a non-woven yarn, the fabric weaving promoted
the fibre-to-matrix adhesion and modified the sample failure mechanism. Finally, the FRCM mechanical
performance is primarily influenced by the fabric weaving but, since the inexpensive shear test set-up
showed a wide data dispersion, the effectiveness of matrix type and fibre treatment requires statistical
support.

Carbon-FRCM system after shear test failure

73
Functionalisation techniques for polypropylene fibres in Fibre Reinforced Con-
crete (FRC): experimental and analytical study of the pull-out mechanisms

A. Sorzia1 , C. Signorini2 *, P. Di Maida1 , E. Radi1 CT

1
Research Centre "CRICT", University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy
2
Department of Sciences and Methods for Engineering, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Modena, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Polypropylene (PP) short fibres are regarded as performing and durable dispersed reinforcement for fibre-
reinforced concrete (FRC). Indeed, PP fibres induce remarkable anti-spalling properties associated with a
moderate cost, high degree of recyclability, and magnetic transparency. The outstanding durability of PP
is mainly due to its superficial inertness, which is also responsible for the weak interphase bond with the
surrounding matrix, resulting in a poor mechanical response of the composite material. Several chemical
and physical methods have been proposed in the literature to improve the fibre-to-matrix adhesion, like
e.g. ozone treatment, chemical etching and surface coating of the fibres [1–3]. In this paper, we discuss
the effects of a fast acid-catalysed sol-gel silica coating for PP fibres on the mechanical performance of
FRC joists. It is found that the enhancement of the fibre-to-matrix bond induced by silica coating is able to
move the failure mechanism from delamination at the interface to failure in the interphase transition zone
(ITZ). In the former case, failure is inconsistent and occurs independently from the curing time, whereas,
in the latter case, failure is driven by the matrix quality. Failure modes and fibre-to-matrix interactions
generally govern the predictive models of the mechanical behaviour of FRC. To this aim, we present a simple
one-dimensional analytical model of the pull-out process of an elastic fibre embedded in a cement matrix.
The shear stress due to friction arising at the interface between fibre and matrix is assumed to increase with
the slippage distance as a consequence of the growing abrasion of the fibre surface occurring during the
pull-out [4]. The model is validated by the comparison with experimental data available in the literature [2],
both for untreated and silica coated fibres. The model here proposed may also predict the non-linear relation
between the tensile load and the fibre displacement for different kinds of fibre, by setting adequately the
constitutive parameters.

References
[1] Signorini, C., Sola, A., Malchiodi, B., Nobili, A., Gatto, A. (2020). Failure mechanism of silica coated
polypropylene fibres for Fibre Reinforced Concrete (FRC). Construction and Building Materials, 236, 117549.
[2] Di Maida, P., Radi, E., Sciancalepore, C., Bondioli, F. (2015). Pullout behavior of polypropylene macro-
synthetic fibers treated with nano-silica. Construction and Building Materials, 82, 39-44.
[3] Denes, F., Feldman, D., Hua, Z. Q., Zheng, Z., Young, R. A. (1996). Cementitious-matrix composites from
SiCl4 -plasma-activated polypropylene fibres. Journal of adhesion science and technology, 10(1), 61-77.
[4] Sorzia, A., Lanzoni, L., & Radi, E. (2019). Pullout modelling of viscoelastic synthetic fibres for cementitious
composites. Composite Structures, 223, 110898.

74
Mechanical characterization of Ultra-High Performance Fiber Reinforced Con-
crete (UHPFRC) under quasi-static and cyclic loads

J. Donnini1 *, N. Generosi1 , G. Lancioni2 , G. Chiappini3 , V. Corinaldesi1 IT

1
SIMAU Department, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
2
DICEA Department, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
3
eCampus telematic University, Via Isimbardi 10, Novedrate (CO), Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: jacopo.donnini@staff.univpm.it

Ultra-High Performance Fiber Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC) is an innovative cement-based composite

material which exhibits advanced mechanical properties, excellent durability and high toughness [1]. In
this study, the flexural behavior of UHPFRC has been investigated by four-point bending tests on prismatic
specimens, by varying the amount of brass-coated steel fibers (diameter of 0.20 mm and length of 13 mm)
up to 2% by volume. Bending tests have been performed under quasi-static and cyclic loads. Damage
progress, number and width of cracks on the specimen surface were monitored by means of a Digital Image
Correlation (DIC) system. The effects of brass-coated steel fibers on the flexural behavior of UHPFRC was
investigated. Then, a phase-field model has been implemented in a FE code and numerical simulations have
been performed to better understand the effects of different fiber dosages on the mechanical behavior of
UHPFRC composites under quasi-static and cyclic loads. Concrete matrix and fiber reinforcement have been
modeled as brittle and elasto-plastic phases of a mixture, whose internal energies are enriched by non-local
damage and plasticity contributions. The different failure mechanisms observed in experiments have been
reproduced and the potential of the numerical model has been described and commented.

Four-point bending test setup

References
[1] Kim,D.J., Naaman, A.E., El-Tawil, S. (2008). Comparative flexural behavior of four fiber reinforced cemen-
titious composites, Cement and Concrete Composites. 30, 917–928.

75
Mechanical properties of cement composites reinforced with fully-recycled plas-
tic fibres

V. Volpini1 * CT

1
Research Centre "En&Tech" - University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

In recent years, the use of recycled plastic fibres as reinforcement in construction and building materials has
gained increasing attention from researchers, due to their large-scale availability, low cost, and sustainability.
In the present study, we investigate the performance of Fibre Reinforced Cement Composites (FRCCs)
including fully-recycled plastic fibres. Specifically, we add to a cementitious matrix flattened polyolefin
fibres treated with a sol-gel silica coating and polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/polyethylene (PE) cylindrical
draw-wire filaments. We assess the flexural response of the composites in the light of reference performance
of FRCCs including virgin polypropylene (PP) fibres only. We observe that the different properties of fibres
only marginally influence the first cracking strength of the composite, while their shape plays a crucial
role in the post-peak branch. Moreover, the silica coating significantly improves the interphase adhesion
between reinforcement and cement matrix during the pull-out stage, representing a rapid, viable, and
effective solution largely improving the FRCCs dissipation capability. Therefore, balancing the significance of
mechanical performance and environmental sustainability, both fully-recycled fibres here investigated can
be regarded as promising candidates for innovative structural applications.

Fully-recycled (PET/PE and polyolefins) and virgin (PP) fibres

References
[1] Signorini C, Volpini V. (2021). Mechanical Performance of Fiber Reinforced Cement Composites Including
Fully-Recycled Plastic Fibers. Fibers, 9(3), 16.
https://doi.org/10.3390/fib9030016

76
Retrofitting with FRCM composites: shear and flexural behaviour of strength-
ened masonry walls

A. Incerti1 *, A. Bellini1 , A.R. Tilocca1 , M. Savoia2 IT

1
CIRI Buildings and Construction, University of Bologna, 40131 Bologna, Italy
2
DICAM, University of Bologna, 40131 Bologna, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Structural strengthening using composite materials is nowadays one of the most interesting techniques
to overcome weaknesses of masonry structures constituting large part of the building heritage. The use
of FRCM composites is becoming more and more widespread due to some limitations of FRP retrofitting
systems. In this framework, the presented experimental study is aimed at evaluating the in-plane and the
out-of-plane behaviour of masonry walls strengthened with different types of FRCMs, analysing in detail
failure modes, capacity increments and efficiency of the strengthening systems when tested using two
different configurations. To this purpose, bidirectional basalt grids and unidirectional steel fibre sheets,
coupled with a lime based mortar, were used for retrofitting clay brick masonry walls subjected to diagonal
compression tests and out-of-plane flexural tests. Experimental outcomes, when considering the in-plane or
the out-of-plane direction, show that the different layout adopted strictly influences the flexural and shear
strengthening efficiency of the reinforcement.

77
Durability and Corrosion
Alkali-activated materials: Corrosion of steel reinforcement

M. Criado* IT

Eduardo Torroja Institute for Construction Sciences. IETcc-CSIC, 28033 Madrid, Spain

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

The development of alkali-activated materials (AAMs) has been promoted by the growing demand for
sustainable concretes with specialised performance characteristics in recent decades. These materials are
the products of the reaction between an aluminosilicate source (usually industrial by-products such as blast
furnace slags and coal fly ashes, among others) and highly alkaline solutions including caustic alkalis or
alkaline salts (hydroxide, silicate, carbonate, or sulfate). Considering that rebar corrosion is the main cause
of reinforced concrete structure failure, the capacity of alkali-activated materials to passivate steel rebars
may be very important to guarantee the durability of reinforced concrete structures constructed using these
new materials. Steel rebars embedded in Portland cement-based concretes are protected from corrosion by
a thin oxide film that is formed and maintained on rebar surfaces due to the high pH level of the surrounding
concrete through a buffering mechanism originated by the presence of portlandite. However, in AAMs
portlandite is not typically identified as a reaction product, the availability of OH – ions from the pore solution
at the steel-concrete interface will have a greater influence in ensuring the stability of this protective layer
in AAMs. Several works have demonstrated that the passivating capacity and permanence of the passive
state once reached in the alkali-activated fly ash or slag systems depend on the nature, dose, and chemical
composition of raw materials, on the type of activator used, and on the environmental conditions.

78
Durability of reinforced concretes containing biochar and recycled polymers
F. Zanotto1,3 *, A. Sirico2 , S. Merchiori1 , F. Vecchi2 , A. Balbo3 , P. Bernardi2 , B. Belletti2 , A. Malcevschi4 , V.
Grassi3 , C. Monticelli3 CT

1
TekneHub Laboratory, Department of Architecture, University of Ferrara, Via G. Saragat 13, 44122, Ferrara, Italy
2
CIDEA & Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze, 181/A, 43124
Parma, Italy
3
Department of Engineering, Corrosion and Metallurgy Study Centre “A. Daccò”, University of Ferrara, Via G. Saragat
4A, 44122, Ferrara, Italy
4
CIDEA & Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, Parco Area
delle Scienze, 11/A, 43124 Parma, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

In the field of sustainable construction materials, the production of eco-friendly concretes, obtained by the
addition of waste products such as biochar and recycled polymer particles, offers interesting alternatives
to traditional materials. Biochar is a carbonaceous solid by-product obtained from the thermo-chemical
conversion of biomass and its addition into concrete admixtures can offer an eco-friendly carbon sequestra-
tion solution, capable to slightly improve the concrete fracture energy. Recycled polymer materials can be
used to partially replace conventional aggregates in the preparation of lighter concretes helping to face the
disposal challenge presented by this non-degradable plastic waste. However, for both concrete types the
influence of these additions on the corrosion behaviour of embedded steel rebars is still unexplored. Within
this context, this work presents the first results in terms of corrosion potential and polarization resistance
measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analysis, of an extensive study dealing with
the reinforcement corrosion resistance during cyclic exposures to chloride-containing solutions.

79
Monitoring of steel corrosion in Alkali-Activated Mortars

N. Gartner*, M. Hren, T. Kosec, A. Legat IT

Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Alkali-Activated Materials (AAMs) are alternative to Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), reducing greenhouse
gases and consuming industrial by products (e.g. steel slags, fly ash, etc.) [1]. The corrosion monitoring
methods used for OPC materials in some cases cannot be directly used for monitoring steel corrosion in
AAMs [2]. Furthermore, some critical parameters of corrosion in concrete (i.e. the type of corrosion damages,
spatiotemporal distribution of corrosion initiation and propagation) cannot be obtained by conventional
electrochemical methods. Therefore some alternative methods were proposed: measuring corrosion rates
by Electrical Resistance (ER) sensor and measuring spatio-temporal evolution of corrosion currents by
Coupled Multi-Electrode Arrays (CMEA) [3]. The aim of this study was to evaluate proposed methods for
monitoring steel corrosion in different alkali-activated mortars. ER and CMEA sensors were installed in
three different reinforced alkali-activated mortar mixtures based on fly ash, slag and metakaolin. Specimens
were exposed to wet/dry cycles with saline solution. Measurements of ER sensors thickness reduction
were performed and partial currents (anodic and cathodic) on CMEA sensors were continuously measured.
Corrosion monitoring results will be evaluated and compared to damages on steel electrodes, obtained by
X-ray computed microtomography (µCT) and 3D deviation measuring system

a) Specimen with ER sensor and 2 steel reinforcing bars before (left) and after (right) casting metakaolin based AAM; b)
CMEA sensor before casting AAM.

References
[1] Provis, J.L. (2018). Alkali-activated materials. Cement and Concrete Research. 114: 40-48.
[2] Criado, M., et al. (2012). Organic corrosion inhibitor mixtures for reinforcing steel embedded in carbonated
alkali-activated fly ash mortar. Construction and building materials. 35: 30-37.
[3] Aleš, C., Kosec, T., Legat, A. (2013). Characterization of steel corrosion in mortar by various electrochemical
and physical techniques. Corrosion Science. 75 :47-57.

80
Coatings based on light-weight alkali activated mortars as sustainable system
for steel corrosion protection

G. Masi*, M.C. Bignozzi IT

Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering, University of Bologna, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Alkali activated materials and geopolymers have attracted a lot of attention in the last 20 years thanks
to their excellent mechanical performances, durability and sustainability properties, especially for civil
applications. These materials exhibit also promising properties as fire- and corrosion-resistant protection
systems. Recently, we have developed and tested a 2-cm coating based on light-weight alkali activated
mortars (LWAAMs) for the protection of steel structures against fire [1,2]. To understand if the developed
LWAAM-based coating is also able to ensure durability to steel reinforcement, this study reports the results
of chloride-induced corrosion. The corrosion performance of the new system based on steel coated by
LWAAMs (using expanded perlite and hydrogen peroxide) was compared with a steel coated by a traditional
alkali activated mortar (NWAAM) in which silica sand was used. Electrochemical tests on steel samples
immersed in a leachate pore solution or embedded in LWAAM and NWAAM, respectively, were carried out
in presence of different chloride concentrations. It was found that the increased porosity of the LWAAMs
did not impair the steel corrosion resistance, when compared with NWAAMs. Moreover, the pore solution
chemistry and the alkaline environment of alkali activation are mainly responsible of the steel corrosion
protection for long exposure.

References
[1] Carabba, L., Moricone, R., Scarponi, G.E., Tugnoli, A., Bignozzi, M. (2019). Alkali activated lightweight
mortars for passive fire protection: A preliminary study. Constr. Build. Mater. 195, 75–84.
[2] Carabba, L., Masi, G., Pirskawetz, S., Krüger, S., Gluth, G., Bignozzi, M. (2019). Thermal properties and
steel corrosion in light-weight alkali activated mortars, in: Int. Conf. Sustain. Mater. Syst. Struct. (SMSS 2019)
New Gener. Constr. Mater., 125–132.

81
Effect of locally sourced fly ash and GGBS on the compressive strength and chlo-
ride resistance of concrete
C. Van Nguyen*

The University of Danang- University of Science and Technology, 54 Nguyen Luong Bang, Danang, Vietnam

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

The paper investigated the effect of locally sourced fly ash and GGBS on the compressive strength and
chloride resistance of concrete. The mix proportion was cementitious material (total of original Portland
cement (OPC), fly ash and GGBS): sand: coarse aggregate: water of 1:2:3:0.6 in which 20% by mass of total
cementitious materials was replaced by class F fly ash and GGBS. Compressive strength and rapid chloride
penetration tests were conducted at 28, 56 and 120 days. The results shows that fly ash and GGBS reduces
slightly the compressive strength but improves significantly the choloride resistance of concrete. Within the
range of investigation, 10% of fly ash and 10% of GGBS is recommended to replace original Portland cement
as they improve the chloride resistance and maintain the compressive strength of concrete.

82
Corrosion behaviour of carbon steel in sulfoaluminate-based binders and blended
binders

M. Cabrini, D. Coffetti, L. Coppola, S. Lorenzi*, T. Pastore IT

Department of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Bergamo, 24044 Dalmine (BG), Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

The paper deals with the study of the passive film formation on steel reinforcements embedded in traditional
and CSA-based binders by means of combined electrochemical techniques. In the specific, the corrosion
behaviour of steel was evaluated by means of open circuit monitoring (OCV) and Electrochemical Impedance
Spectroscopy (EIS) in concretes manufactured with ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and CSA-based binders.
The work examines the fundamental aspects that determine the protective behaviour of carbon steel rein-
forcements in concrete made with traditional binders based on Portland cement and defines the peculiarities
with respect to CSA-based binders. The paper analyses the role of alkalinity and its maintenance on the
corrosion behaviour of carbon steel. The protective action of Portland cement and passivation kinetics are
strictly dependent upon the pH of the pore solution – i.e., the availability of hydroxyl ions – and the oxygen
content just since the early periods of exposure, in fresh conditions. The pH and alkalinity reservoir also play
a fundamental role for the qualification of the new binders for the building industry as far as the resistance to
the depassivating action of chlorides is concerned. New methodologies are proposed for the assessment of
pH of cement matrix to determine the protective action respect to carbon steel reinforcements. Qualitative
test is proposed by using an alternative indicator to phenolphthalein and quantitative technique based on
indirect pH measurement of the cement matrix are presented. Corrosion tests confirm different passivation
kinetics moving from traditional to innovative binders. Data collected by means of EIS tests showed a marked
shift-to-the-left of the time constant over time since early exposures for rebars embedded in OPC compared
to CSA. Behaviour that is more complex was noticed for rebars embedded in CSA-based binders.

83
Preliminary assessment on durability of high performance fiber reinforced con-
crete with CSA cement

V. Afroughsabet1 , M. Gastaldi2 * IT

1
Department of Civil & Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A4, Canada.
2
Department of Chemistry, Material and Chemical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, 20131 Milano, Italy.

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cement could be a potential alternative to ordinary Portland cement (OPC) to
reduce environmental impact of concrete industry, due to its lower production temperature and thus lower
CO2 emission. Therefore, there is an essential need to assess the durability properties of concrete produced
with CSA cement. In this work a preliminary study on durability of high performance fiber reinforced
concretes produced with CSA cement in total or partial substitution of OPC, also with ground granulated
blast-furnace slag (GGBS), was performed. Compressive strength and electrical resistivity of the different
concrete mixes and electrochemical tests to evaluate corrosion condition of the embedded steel fibers, were
assessed. The results show that substitution of OPC with CSA cement improves the mechanical properties
of concrete but promotes corrosion of the steel fibers, affecting the durability of this material. Misleading
results were attained with the corrosion potential measurement, conventionally used for the evaluation of
the corrosion condition of the steel reinforcement, in CSA concrete.

84
Durability of mortars manufactured with low-carbon binders exposed to cal-
cium chloride-based de-icing salts

D. Coffetti*, E. Crotti, G. Gazzaniga, L. Coppola, M. Cabrini, S. Lorenzi, T. Pastore IT

Department of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Bergamo, 24044 Dalmine (BG), Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: denny.coff[email protected]

Calcium chloride is widespread used de-icing salts for removing snow and ice from roads, infrastructures
and service area. It is well known that reinforced concrete structures, if exposed to calcium chloride, can
suffer from severe damages due to both corrosion of the steel reinforcement and chemical attack of the
cement paste. This paper aims at evaluating the resistance to chemical attack of mortars manufactured with
different low-carbon binders (alkali activated slags, calcium sulphoaluminate cement-based blends, high
volume ultrafine fly ashes cements) in presence of CaCl2 -based de-icing salts in cold climate (about 4◦C).
Results indicated that alkali activated slag-based mortars are quasi-immune to calcium chloride attack due
to their mineralogical composition. On the contrary, calcium sulphoaluminate-based blends show the total
loss of binding capacity, especially when calcium sulphoaluminate cement is used with gypsum and Portland
cement. Finally, the partial substitution of Portland cement with ultrafine fly ash strongly reduce the mass
change and the strength loss of mortars immersed in 30 wt.% CaCl2 solutions due to the strong reduction of
calcium hydroxide responsible for the calcium oxychloride formation in the cement paste.

85
The PARC_CL 2.1 crack model for reinforced concrete elements subjected to cor-
rosion and long-term effects

L. Franceschini*, B. Belletti, F. Vecchi CT

Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

During the service life, existing structures may suffer a combination of time-dependent effects, such as creep,
shrinkage and reinforcement corrosion. The corrosion deterioration can significantly affect the durability of
reinforced concrete (RC) elements causing premature concrete crushing, size reduction of reinforcement
cross-section, degradation of mechanical properties of steel and concrete, and stirrups rupture. Furthermore,
to ensure adequate safety and serviceability throughout the life of the structure, the prediction of long-term
strains, due to creep and shrinkage, is important. Creep and shrinkage have a considerable impact on the
performance of RC structures, affecting stress and strain distribution, increasing deflections and crack width.
For this reason, a nonlinear finite element approach, based on multi-layer shell elements and PARC_CL
2.0 crack model is presented in this paper. The PARC_CL 2.1 model is a fixed crack model developed at the
University of Parma and implemented in a FORTRAN subroutine UMAT for for ABAQUS that incorporates
cyclic constitutive laws of materials and the evolution of corrosion, shrinkage and creep over the time. The
effectiveness of the proposed model is validated through comparison with experimental data available in
literature.

86
Ensuring both eco-efficiency and durability of reinforced concrete through sci-
entifically understanding corrosion of steel in carbonated concrete

U. Angst* IT

Institute for Building Materials, ETH Zurich, CH-8093 Zurich, Switzerland

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Blended cementitious binders offer great opportunities to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse
gas emissions during the production of cements. Thus, structures built with these materials can have an
improved environmental footprint compared to traditional binders such as Portland cements. To ensure
sustainability on the long-term, however, it is crucial that these engineered eco-friendly materials are durable
in the exposure environments of the structures the materials are used in. A major concern is the relatively
fast carbonation of blended cements compared to binders forming higher amounts of Portlandite, and
the risk for reinforcing steel corrosion associated with carbonation. To keep corrosion in check, common
approaches in durability design are based on increasing cover depth or making the matrix denser. These
approaches generally lead to an increase in amounts of binders used in construction, which may almost
defeat the purpose of reducing emissions in cement production. This contribution discusses the mechanism
of steel corrosion in carbonated concrete, summarizing experience from engineering practice and latest
scientific advances. Experimental results from corrosion rate measurements in different binders are shown
and influencing factors are discussed. It is concluded that reinforced concrete can still be a very durable
material once the concrete has carbonated. Based on this scientific understanding, new ideas emerge to
facilitate the sustainable design of durable reinforced concrete structures.

References
[1] Angst, U., Moro, F., Geiker, M., Kessler, S., Beushausen, H., Andrade, C., Lahdensivu, J., Köliö, A., Imamoto,
K.-i.,von Greve-Dierfeld, S., Serdar, M. (2020). Corrosion of steel in carbonated concrete: mechanisms,
practical experience, and research priorities - a critical review by RILEM TC 281-CCC. RILEM TECHNICAL
LETTERS 5:85-100.

87
Evaluation of different preventative methods to prevent corrosion in concrete

F. Bolzoni*, A. Brenna, S. Beretta, M. Ormellese, M.V. Diamanti, M. Pedeferri IT

Politecnico di Milano, Dipartimento di Chimica, Materiali e Ingegneria Chimica “Giulio Natta”, Via Mancinelli 7, 20131
Milano, Italia

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Starting from the end of the years ’70, the increased number of damaged structures, as well as the failures
of some important structures made evident that rebars corrosion (carbonation or chloride induced) shall be
seriously taken into consideration [1]. Prevention of rebars corrosion is a way to increase reliability, reduce
energy consumption and improve sustainability of concrete sector. Prevention of rebar corrosion is achieved
in the design and construction phases, by means of suitable mix design, casting and curing, and adequate
cover depth [2, 3]. Preventative methods, such as cathodic protection, stainless steel or galvanised rebars,
corrosion inhibitors, concrete coatings, can be used in very aggressive environment, especially in presence
of chlorides, or when increased service life is required. In this work, the achievements of our research
group in the field of preventative methods, namely polymeric-cementitious concrete coating and corrosion
inhibitors are briefly recalled. Moreover the service life of reinforced concrete structures exposed to chloride
environments has been evaluated by means of a simplified approach, based on Monte Carlo simulation.
Different preventative methods and concrete type (manufactured with Portland, pozzoloanic or slag cement)
have been taken into account. Cathodic prevention and stainless steels are the most effective protection
methods in very aggressive environments. The use of pozzolanic or slag cement is confirmed as an effective
way to slow chloride transport and by this way to increase the service life [4, 5].

References
[1] Bertolini, L., Elsener, B., Pedeferri, P., Redaelli, E., Polder, R. (2013). Corrosion of steel in concrete –
prevention, diagnosis, repair. 2nd ed., Wiley VCH, Weinheim.
[2] EN 206 Concrete – Specification, performance, production and conformity.
[3] EN 1992-1-1 Eurocode 2: Design of concrete structures – Part 1-1: general rules and rules for buildings.
[4] Bolzoni, F., Brenna, A., Fumagalli, G., Goidanich, S., Lazzari, L., Ormellese, M., Pedeferri, M.P. (2014).
Experiences on corrosion inhibitors for reinforced concrete, Int. J. Corros. Scale Inhib., 3(4), 254-278.
[5] Brenna, A., Beretta, S., Berra, M., Diamanti, M.V., Ormellese, M., Pastore, T., Pedeferri, P.M.P., Bolzoni, F.
(2020). Structural concrete. 21: 1810-1822.

88
Stainless steels as sustainable solution for concrete reinforcement – from labo-
ratory to practice

B. Elsener*, M. Fantauzzi, A. Rossi IT

Department of Chemical and Geological Sciences, University of Cagliari, 090140 Monserrato (CA) Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Stainless steel reinforcing bars show excellent corrosion resistance in concrete exposed to harsh environments.
In this combined electrochemical and surface analytical work, a reason for this behaviour is proposed.
XPS surface analytical results (thickness, composition of the passive film and of the interface beneath
the film) obtained on black steel, FeCr alloys, and a series of stainless steels after exposure to alkaline
solutions simulating concrete are reported. Pitting potentials were determined in the same solutions with
electrochemical experiments. It is shown that the pitting potentials of the steels can be related to the
Cr(III)oxy-hydroxide and Mo(VI) content in the passive film. It is proposed to calculate a Cr and Mo oxide
equivalent similar to the well known “Wirksumme” or pitting resistance equivalent (PRE). A correlation
between the critical chloride content in concrete (reported in literature for CEM II A/LL and CEM I) and the
pitting potential for carbon steel, Fe12%Cr alloy, DIN 1.4301 and DIN 1.4571 stainless steels is proposed as
“missing link” between results of analysis in solutions and performance in concrete.

References
[1] Addari, D., Elsener, B., Rossi, A. (2008). Electrochemistry and surface chemistry of stainless steels in
alkaline media simulating concrete pore solutions, The art of writing a scientific article, Electrochimica Acta,
54, 8078-8086.
[2] Elsener, B., Addari, D., Coray, S., Rossi, A. (2011). Nickel-free manganese bearing stainless steel in alkaline
media - electrochemistry and surface chemistry. Electrochimica Acta, 56, 4489-4497.

89
Corrosion behavior of steel reinforced geopolymer concrete: A pathway towards
long-lasting and sustainable structures

D.M. Bastidas*, J. Bosch, J. Ress, U. Martin IT

National Center for Education and Research on Corrosion and Materials Performance, NCERCAMP-UA, Dept. Chemical,
Biomolecular, and Corrosion Engineering, The University of Akron, 302 E Buchtel Ave, Akron, OH 44325-3906, United
States

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Corrosion of reinforced concrete structures is nowadays one of the major concerns on the durability and
serviceability of buildings and constructions. Corrosion management and monitoring of infrastructure and
civil engineering structures is required to guarantee their lifetime in service. Sustainability of reinforced
concrete structure is crucial for better social development, because of the importance of structural safety,
preservation of environment, and economy. The construction sector has demonstrated and increased
interest and demand for novel environmentally friendly cementitious materials, such a geopolymer concrete,
which is driven by the need to decrease the vast amounts of CO2 produced by traditional Portland cement
and concrete industry. The effects of increased greenhouse gas emissions include global warming, ocean
acidification, smog pollution, ozone depletion and altered plant health, all contributing to global climate
change. In this regard, alkali activated fly ash (FA) stands as an outstanding alternative material for the
building and construction sector. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to study the corrosion behavior
of reinforcing steel in geopolymer concrete, to prevent corrosion and extend the lifetime. Corrosion of steel
in geopolymer concrete requires extensive research to determine the corrosion mechanisms governing
passivity breakdown.

90
Corrosion behaviour of galvanized steel in cement- and geopolymer-based con-
crete: a review on scientific work at the Polytechnic University of Marche

T. Bellezze*, A. Mobili, F. Tittarelli IT

Department of Materials, Environmental Sciences and Urban Planning, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60131,
Ancona, Italy.

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Hot-dip galvanized steel rebars are effective to increase the durability of reinforced construction materials,
based on traditional cement and on recently studied alkali-activated binders, such as geopolymers. Instead
of steel reinforcements, galvanized reinforcements in concrete are protected by calcium hydroxyzincate
(CaHZn) layer, which, under carbonation, transforms into a less protective hydrozincite (HZ), but corrosion
resistant layer [1,2]. In the case of chlorides ingress, the threshold for localized corrosion initiation is at least
three times higher for galvanized rebars than for steel rebars: 1.3 wt% vs 0.4 wt%, respectively, with respect
to the weight of cement [3]. Therefore, galvanized rebars increase considerably the durability of reinforced
concrete structures, without significantly impairing construction costs. Concerning geopolymers, the matrix
is more alkaline than the traditional cementitious ones and the scarce presence of calcium ions cannot
guarantee the protection of galvanized steel by CaHZn. Actually, also in these conditions, galvanized steel
passivates even if with a certain delay (4-7 days) from the cast, by the formation of ZnO passive layer [4]. In
particular, geopolymers obtained by fly ash slow the ingress of chlorides, protecting the reinforcements, if
galvanized, from a penetrating localized corrosion of Zn-Fe alloys.

References
[1] Roventi, G., Bellezze, T., Barbaresi, E., Fratesi, R. (2013). Effect of carbonation process on the passivating
products of zinc in Ca(OH)2 saturated solution, Mater. Corros. 64(11), 1007-1014.
[2] Roventi, G., Bellezze, T., Giuliani, G., Conti, C. (2014). Corrosion resistance of galvanized steel rein-
forcements in carbonated concrete: effect of wet–dry cycles in tap water and in chloride solution on the
passivating layer,. Cement Concrete Res. 65, 76-84.
[3] Bellezze, T., Malavolta, M., Quaranta, A., Ruffini, N., Roventi, G. (2006). Corrosion behaviour in concrete
of three differently galvanized steel bars. Cement Concrete Comp. 28, 246-255.
[4] Tittarelli, F., Mobili, A., Giosuè, C., Belli, A., Bellezze, T. (2018). Corrosion behaviour of bare and galvanized
steel in geopolymer and Ordinary Portland Cement based mortars with the same strength class exposed to
chlorides. Corros. Sci. 134, 64-77.

91
Increase sustainability of aged prestressed concrete structures by improving knowl-
edge on degradation mechanisms and proper corrosion monitoring systems

E. Proverbio* IT

Department of Engineering, University of Messina, 98166 Messina, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Existing road infrastructures, built mostly in the second half of the last century, are now quickly ageing leading
to face the problem of an increasingly fragile road network while the expansion of the current infrastructure
constitutes a minor portion of construction activities. Post-tensioned and prestressed concrete structures
have been extensively adopted on road infrastructures from late 50’s. The current still lack of knowledge on
actual corrosion mechanisms and mechanical behaviour of aged infrastructures forces engineers to take
conservative decisions, i.e. to repair or replace structures relatively early [1]. Considering the expected
increase in needed repair works over the coming decades there is certainly an urgent need to quit the current
relatively conservative and thus costly approach by providing innovative and cost-effective technologies
as well as fundamental understanding of corrosion deterioration mechanisms [2]. A sustainable approach
based upon a holistic treatment of needs and impacts, life-cycle cost and environmental impacts, should
be considered as a fundamental requirement, at the basis of any decision on structure intervention. As
stressed in the upcoming new fib Model Code 2020 [3] “these overarching requirements will have defining
implications for subsidiary performance requirements critical to structural design and assessment procedures.
These are matters such as human and environmental safety, serviceability and durability, and other specific
performances such as the robustness of the structure and the resilience of its functionality”. A detailed
analysis of all these aspects are reported in the conference paper.

References
[1] Polder, R.B., Peelen, W.H.A., Courage, W.M.G. (2012). Non-traditional assessment and maintenance
methods for aging concrete structures technical and non-technical issues. Materials and Corrosion. 63(12),
1147-1153.
[2] Angst, U.M. (2018). Challenges and opportunities in corrosion of steel in concrete. Mater Struct. 51, 4.
[3] Matthews, S., Bigaj-van Vliet, A., Walraven, J., Mancini, G., Dieteren, G. (2018). fib Model Code 2020:
Towards a general code for both new and existing concrete structures. Structural Concrete.

92
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) in building and construction as tool

supporting the European green transition

A. Bonoli1 *, F. Serrano-Bernardo2 IT

1
Department of Civil, Chemical, Environmental and Materials Engineering, University of Bologna, via Terracini 28,
40131 Bologna, Italy
2
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Granada, E.T.S. de Ingeniería de Caminos, Canales y Puertos. Campus
Universitario de Fuentenueva, Edificio Politécnico, 18071 Granada

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Because of the high responsibility in terms of environmental impact, construction and buildings represent
one of the key topics for the green transition proposed by the European New Green Deal [1]. In the European
Union, this sector is responsible for 40% of total energy consumption and 36% of greenhouse gas emissions.
Improving environmental efficiency can play a key role to reach carbon neutrality of Europe that is expected
to be achieved by 2050.

Considerable efforts are underway to build global knowledge and capacity for understanding, developing, and
promoting more sustainable construction processes on the base of comprehensive information on materials
and products over their life cycle by evaluating energy, raw materials, land, and water consumption, and
related emissions into water, air, and soil. A holistic observation is obtained by the use of LCSA, considering
an integration in environmental, economic, social impact assessment.

In this issue it was explored how a Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment approach [2], as fundamental
supporting tools in sustainability, can be applied in construction.

The research will show an application of LCSA in selective demolition processes and construction and
demolition waste recycling for an end-of-life building proper management optimization.

References
[1] A European Green Deal, European Commission Available online:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en (accessed on Dec 28,
2020)
[2] Zanni, S., Awere, E., Bonoli, A. (2020) Life cycle sustainability assessment: An ongoing journey, Chapter 4
of the Book: Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment for Decision-Making. Methodologies and Case Studies,
Pages 57-93, Elsevier

93
Economic evaluation of circular schemes for managing Construction and Demo-
lition waste

F. Carollo1 *, F. Ceruti2 , S. Pantini1 , L. Rigamonti1 IT

1
DICA, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
2
Department for Sustainability - Resource Valorization Lab, ENEA, Via Anguillarese 301, 00123 Rome, Italy

* Corresponding author, [email protected]

Among the obstacles that prevent the widespread use of secondary resources produced from construction
and demolition waste (CDW), the distrust of the constructors is the most impactful. As pointed out from
a previous research, the presence of soil and gypsum in the recycled aggregate negatively impacts on its
quality, weakening the market competitiveness of recycled materials compared to the natural ones. Thus, the
natural aggregate still remains the preferred choice for the sector operators. This prevents the establishment
of a circular economic model in the construction industry. This work explores the potential advantages of
using recycled aggregates from an economic point of view, through the application of the Life Cycle Costing
(LCC) methodology. The LCC analysis evaluates the internal costs borne by the different stakeholders of the
CDW value chain, starting from the process generating the inert waste (i.e. the demolition step) till the
waste has become a new product. As the waste must come out as pure as possible from the demolition
site, so that the downstream processes of re-using and recycling are improved, a selective demolition can
decisively help to reach this aim but could require greater economic efforts. The results of this work will
be the starting point for policy makers to implement incentive and support tools for the development of
circularity in the construction sector.

94
Life cycle cost analysis: a useful tool for reaching sustainable objectives in build-
ings sector

V. Annibaldi1 , F. Cucchiella1 , I. D’Adamo2 , M. Gastaldi1 , M. Rotilio3 * IT

1
Department of Industrial and Information Engineering and Economics, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
2
Department of Computer, Control and Management Engineering, “Sapienza” University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy
3
Department of Civil, Construction-Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila,
Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Buildings sector is one of the main energy consuming sector. In fact, in European Union, buildings accounts
for approximately 40% of energy consumption and they generate 36% of the CO2 emissions [1]. Therefore,
reducing energy consumption in this sector will play a decisive role to achieve the objective of reducing
energy consumption by at least 32.5% by means of improvements in energy efficiency by 2030 [2]. Limit the
transmission of heat through the building envelope might be a solution for saving of energy and guarantee
better thermal comfort [3]. Buildings insulation represents a forerunner in achieving energy conservation
[4] but it has to be accompanied by a proper design capable of determining the appropriate amount of
insulating material. In fact, although building insulation helps in reducing heat transmission through the
envelope and therefore improved energy saving, it increases installation cost of the insulation. For this
reason, it is essential to determine the optimum combination between the building energy performance
and buildings initial investment for thermal insulation. Life-Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) represents the right
tool to determine this optimum combination and thus reaching sustainable objectives that guarantee better
long-term performance of the building with lower operating costs.

References
[1] Ascione, F., Bianco, N., Mauro, G.M., Napolitano, D.F. (2019). Building envelope design: Multi-objective
optimization to minimize energy consumption, global cost and thermal discomfort. Application to different
Italian climatic zones. Energy. 174, 359-74.
[2] Pohoryles, D.A., Maduta, C., Bournas, D.A., Kouris, L.A. (2020). Energy performance of existing residential
buildings in Europe: A novel approach combining energy with seismic retrofitting. Energy and Buildings. 223.
[3] Cyrille Vincelas, F.F., Ghislain, T. (2017). The determination of the most economical combination between
external wall and the optimum insulation material in Cameroonian’s buildings. Journal of Building Engineering.
9, 155-63.
[4] Alsayed, M.F., Tayeh, R.A. (2019). Life cycle cost analysis for determining optimal insulation thickness in
Palestinian buildings. Journal of Building Engineering. 22, 101-12.

95
Benefits and opportunities of reusing waste rotor blades in cementitius materi-
als from a life cycle perspective

A.D. La Rosa*, S. Goutianos, S. Grammatikos IT

Department of Manufacturing and Civil Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Teknologivegen
22, 2815 Gjøvik, Norway

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

The wind power industry has been growing in the last two decades, meaning that many of the first-generation
wind turbines will be soon reaching the end of their service life. According to Schmidl, 2010 [1] the total
weight of rotor blades to be disposed of will amount to almost 50,000 t/a by 2020, with predictions of
200,000 t/a by year 2034. A sustainable disposal method for recycled GFRP waste is the reutilization in
cementitious materials [1-3]. The major technical benefit of using GRP waste powder in concrete composites
is the improvement of binding and adhesion of concrete due to the presence of polymeric compounds, CaO,
Al2 O3 and SiO2 in GRP waste. Furthermore, the glass fibre content in GRP waste improves the reinforcement
of the cement composites [4].

Life Cycle Assessmet (LCA) methodology is used to evaluate the beneficial environmental impact due to the
increase in material substitution [5].

References
[1] Schmidl, E., Hinrichs, S. ( 2010). Geocycle Provides Sustainable Recycling of Rotor Blades in Cement Plant.
DEWI MAGAZIN NO. 36, February, pag. 6-14.
[2] Yazdanbakhsh, A., Bank, L.C. (2014). A Critical Review of Research on Reuse of Mechanically Recycled FRP
Production and End-of-Life Waste for Construction. Polymers 6, 1810-1826.
doi:10.3390/polym6061810.
[3] Brazão Farinha, C., de Brito, J., Veiga, R. (2019). Assessment of glass fibre reinforced polymer waste reuse
as filler in mortars. Journal of Cleaner Production. 210, 1579-1594.
doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2018.11.080.
[4] Asokan, P., Osmani, M., Price, A.D.F. (2009). Assessing the recycling potential of glass fibre reinforced
plastic waste in concrete and cement composites. Journal of Cleaner Production. 17, 821–829.
[5] Nagle, A.J., Delaney, E.L., Bank, L.C., Leahy, P.G. (2020). A Comparative Life Cycle Assessment between
landfilling and Co-Processing of waste from decommissioned Irish wind turbine blades. Journal of Cleaner
Production. 277, 123321.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.123321

96
Environmental impact assessment of geopolymeric hydraulic pipeline
F. Colangelo, I. Farina, C. Salzano, M. Travaglioni, R. Cioffi, A. Petrillo*

Department of Engineering - University Parthenope of Naples, Centro Direzionale, Is. C4, 80143 Naples, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

The awareness of environmental protection, with the conservation of resources and the efficient use of
industrial waste, has attracted the attention in recent decades as both the overexploitation of natural
resources and the disposal of industrial waste have a negative impact on the environment and sustainability
[1]. Under such circumstances, replacing ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with industrial waste has been
shown as a sustainable and practical way to reduce the use of natural resources, as well as landfill waste
and pollution [2]. The discussion of this issue is part of a path, which sees as its starting point the design
of a hydraulic pipeline prototype (Figure) made of geopolymer mortar instead of conventional concrete
pipes. The environmental sustainability of geopolymer mortars was demonstrated through the Life Cycle
Assessment (LCA) methodology. The results of the analysis indicate that the use of eco-friendly materials
contributes to minimizing the environmental impact of new technologies for hydraulic engineering.

Hydraulic pipeline prototype in geopolymer mortar

References
[1] Apithanyasai, S., Supakata, N., Papong, S. (2020). The potential of industrial waste: using foundry sand
with fly ash and electric arc furnace slag for geopolymer brick production. Heliyon, 6.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03697
[2] Colangelo, F., Petrillo, A., Cioffi, R., Borrelli, C., Forcina, A. (2018). Life cycle assessment of recycled
concretes: A case study in southern Italy. Science of The Total Environment. 615, 1506-1517.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.09.107

97
Porcelain stoneware tiles production minimizing the use of importes raw mate-
rials

E. Rambaldi* IT

Centro Ceramico, via Martelli 26, 40148, Bologna, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

The path to highly recycled ceramic tiles passes through 4 stages:

1. Basic research able to demonstrate the feasibility of the work also considering the availability of waste

2. Research applied at the laboratory level

3. Technology transfer to the pre-industrial scale

4. Pilot production in the industrial plant.

The final goal includes correct industrial production, product certification and market diffusion. Only when
all these steps are successfully passed the path is consolidated and innovation becomes "practical" and it
is possible to achieve the concrete benefits of sustainability (social, environmental and economic). This
presentation shows a concrete example of success thanks to the precious collaboration of an Italian ceramic
tiles industry.

98
Recycled materials for circular economy in construction sector. A review
M. Rotilio1 *, F. Cucchiella2 , V. Annibaldi2

1
Department of Civil, Construction-Architectural and Environmental Engineering, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila,
Italy
2
Department of Industrial and Information Engineering and Economics, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

The energy used in the manufacture of construction products and in the construction process plays a
major role in the overall environmental impact of a building. Some studies show that 5-10% of total
energy consumption across the EU is related to the manufacture of construction products [1]. In addition,
Construction and Demolition Waste (CDW) is one of the heaviest and most voluminous waste streams
generated in the EU. It accounts for approximately 25% - 30% of all waste generated in the EU and consists
of numerous materials, including concrete, bricks, gypsum, wood, glass, metals, plastic, solvents, asbestos
and excavated soil, many of which can be recycled. Therefore, a growing trend towards more sustainable
construction processes has been taking place for several years, with a particular focus on resources and
materials with lower environmental impacts on the entire life cycle. This attention requires a unified vision
that integrates social, environmental and economic aspects into a single strategic framework. For this reason,
it is essential to find new methods and new applications in order to use resources more efficiently both from
the point of view of materials and the reuse of existing buildings. In this field, the objective of the study is
to run a review to evaluate the research gap, strategies to reduce construction waste and to promote the
recycled materials use for a circular economy [2] in construction sector.

References
[1] “Resource efficiency in the building sector”, Ecorys and Copenhagen Resource Institute, Rotterdam, May
2014 and “Energy use and environmental impacts of the Swedish building and real estate management
sector”, Toller, S. et al, Journal of Industrial Ecology, 2011, vol. 15, n. 3
[2] European Union Circular Economy Action Plan, as set out in COM (2015) 614 final of 02.12. 2015

99
Circularity performances of the production of a cement mortar reinforced with
recycled synthetic fibers

S. Marinelli1 *, M.A. Butturi2 , B. Rimini1 , R. Gamberini1,2 CT

1
DISMI, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Amendola, 2 42122 - Reggio Emilia - Italy
2
EN&TECH, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia - Reggio Emilia – Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Forced by environmental implications and by legislation requirements, the cement sector is moving towards
more circular economy practices, with the primary aim to enhance the sustainability. This commitment
translates into product technology innovation, but also into innovative development perspectives for the
industries involved in the supply chain. Moreover, dealing with recycled materials, it modifies the interaction
among stakeholders from a conventional supply chain to an industrial symbiosis approach, where companies
mutually exchange products and by-products into circular interactions. The purpose of this article is to
investigate the circularity performances coming from the production of a cement mortar reinforced with
recycled synthetic fibers coming from artificial turf carpets. From the collection of artificial turf carpets at
the end-of-life stage it is possible to recover several materials: plastic fibers used in the cement mortar, and
in addition, silica sand, rubber, and bituminous membrane. The production of the innovative reinforced
cement mortar leads to the connection between industries belonging to different sectors and consequently
to uneven economic and environmental implications. Starting from the available literature, this study aims
at evaluating the circularity of the unusual interaction among companies to support the development of an
effective strategy, reducing environmental and economic pressures.

Schematic diagram showing circularity interactions among companies.

References
[1] T. Joensuu, H. Edelman, A. Saari, Circular economy practices in the built environment, Journal of Cleaner
Production 276, 124215
https: //doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124215

100
Life cycle assessment of a wall made with agro-concrete blocks with wheat husk

G. M. Cappucci1,2 *, V. Ruffini1,2 , V. Barbieri3 , C. Siligardi3 , A.M. Ferrari1,2 CT

1
Department of Sciences and Methods for Engineering, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 42122, Reggio Emilia,
Italy
2
En&Tech – Center for Industrial Research and Technology Transfer, Reggio Emilia, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy
3
Department of Engineering “Enzo Ferrari”, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the environmental impact, through the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
methodology, of the entire life cycle of an exterior curtain wall composed of lightweight agro-concrete blocks
with aggregates of plant origin, based on wheat husk.

The case study was compared to a traditional hollow brick wall and a wall composed of a single pour of the
wheat husk-based mixture.

Assuming the same thermal transmittance as the case study for the alternative scenarios, it was found that
the full life cycle damage of the traditional wall is higher (8.6E-2 Pt), followed by the wall composed of a
single pour (8E-2 Pt), and the case study (7.9E-2 Pt). The difference is due to production and also partly
due to the assumed end of life (landfilling and recycling, respectively, according to the use of glues in the
traditional wall that do not allow selective separation).

101
LCA of fiber-reinforced concrete industrial flooring with recycled plastics

M. Centorrino1 *, G. M. Cappucci1,2 , V. Volpini2 , C. Signorini3 , A. Nobili3 , R. Rosa1 , A. M. Ferrari1 CT

1
Department of Sciences and Methods for Engineering, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 42122, Reggio Emilia,
Italy
2
En&Tech – Center for Industrial Research and Technology Transfer, Reggio Emilia, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy
3
Department of Engineering “Enzo Ferrari”, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41125 Modena, Italy.

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

In the construction sector, in order to reduce environmental impacts in terms of resource use and waste
generation, in recent years an increasing number of researchers are studying the potential of recycled waste
materials in replacing traditional fibers for the production of fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC), one of the
most popular composite materials in construction.

The presented study, realized by LCA Working Group (UNIMORE) according to the LCA methodology and
by means of the software SimaPro9.1.1, provides detailed and rigorous information on the impact and on
the environmental advantages/disadvantages of this construction technique: starting from the production
process of the PET/PE fibers and recycled PET, through the realization of the composite on site and the
installation, up to the use and the end of life of the flooring.

102
The role of product certification in the transition towards the circular economy
for construction sector
P. Ghisellini1 *, R. Passaro2 , S. Ulgiati1,3

1
Department of Science and Technology, University of Naples “Parthenope”, Centro Direzionale Isola C4, 80143 Naples,
Italy
2
Department of Engineering, University of Naples “Parthenope”, Centro Direzionale Isola C4, 80143 Naples, Italy
3
State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Beijing Normal
University, Beijing, China

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

In a recent report, the Environmental European Agency [1], evidenced that Member States mainly addressed
the 70% recovery target for non-hazardous C&DW set by 2008 Waste framework directive [2] by adopting
low-value recycling options. In that, the directive contributed to avoid landfilling disposal and incineration
but did not stimulated for C&DW a better-quality recycling standard. The suggested measures for improving
the state of the art also include the increase of users’ confidence on the quality of secondary materials such
as recycling aggregates (RA) [1]. One of the barriers to their use is the very low preference by designers due
to the lack of proper information about the quality of recycled products [3, 4]. At this regard, the information
sharing about the quality of the materials [1] and the adoption of product certification schemes [5] - also
based on the traceability throughout their life cycle such as Remade in Italy [6] - can increase the acceptance
of RA by reducing the negative perception of their quality standard [7]. This study explores by means of case
studies the current contribution of product certification including Remade in Italy to improve the acceptance
and the diffusion of RA and recycled products for construction sector.

References
[1] European Environment Agency. Construction and demolition waste: challenges and opportunities in a cir-
cular economy, available at: https://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/waste/waste-management/construction-
and-demolition-waste-challenges/download.pdf.static (2020), PDF TH-AM-19-016-EN-N - ISBN 978-92-9480-
202-6 - ISSN 2467-3196 -doi: 10.2800/07321
[2] Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on waste
and repealing certain directive, available at:
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32008L0098&from=EN. Last accessed:
31/01/2021
[3] Ghisellini, P., Ripa, M., Ulgiati, S. Exploring environmental and economic costs and benefits of a circular
economy approach to the construction and demolition sector. A literature review, Journal of Cleaner Produc-
tion 178 (2018) 618-643.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.11.207
[4] Oydele, L.O., Ajayi, S.O., Kadiri, K.O. Use of recycled products in UK construction industry: an empirical
investigation into critical impediments and strategies for improvement, Resource. Conserv. Recycl. 93 (2014)
23-31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2014.09.011
[5] RINA, CE Marking of construction products, available at:
https://www.rina.org/en/ce-marking-of-construction-products. Last accessed: 31/01/2021
[6] Remade in Italy, Certification scheme for the verification of the content of material recovered in a product,
available at: https://www.remadeinitaly.it/recycled-products-certification/. Last accessed: 31/01/2021
[7] Silva, R.V., De Brito, J., Dhir, R.K. Availability and processing of recycled aggregates within the construction
and demolition supply chain: a review. Journal of Cleaner Production 143 (2017) 598-614.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.12.070

103
An environmental sustainability database to support the identification of green
construction products

M. Rossi*, F. Cappelletti, M. Germani IT

Department of Industrial Engineering and Mathematical Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Università Politecnica delle
Marche, Ancona, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: marta.rossi@staff.univpm.it

An approximately 10% of the global energy consumption goes to building materials manufacturing [1]. One of
the most prominent trends of recent years is the evaluation of the environmental performance of alternative
construction materials (e.g. natural and recycled) that aim to the increase sustainability level of buildings [2].
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology and tools have been suggested for raising the sustainability level
of the built environment and very numerous examples and case studies are proposed in the literature. To
support the identification of best solutions, the present paper proposes a simplified tool to collect, use and
share knowledge on the environmental sustainability of construction materials. Knowledge is structured on
a database and developed by collecting literature LCA results on building materials. The flexible database
structure allows customizing its content according to company specificity. The output of the tool consists of
charts, maps, and graphical materials; using them designers can compare, in environmental terms, design
alternatives to select the best one in environmental terms.

References
[1] Bamgbadea,J.A., Kamaruddeenb, A.M., Nawia, M.N.M. (2017). Towards environmental sustainability
adoption in construction firms: An empirical analysis of market orientation and organizational innovativeness
impacts. Sustainable Cities and Society. 32, 486-495.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2017.04.015
[2] Kylil, A., Fokaides, P.A. (2017). Policy trends for the sustainability assessment of construction materials: A
review. Sustainable Cities and Society. 35, 280-288.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2017.08.013

104
The EPD as a competitive and transparency tool on the environmental impacts
of products and services

F. Carnelli* IT

ICMQ S.p.A., Via G. De Castillia, 10, 20124, Milan, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Considering the need of producers to enhance the sustainable products and materials on the market, the
EPD Environmentl Product Declaration plays a fundamental role, as guarantee of the declared performances
of a product or a service. There are numerous advantages for companies in chosing the EPD that is an
effective marketing tool, able to enhance their products, favoring positioning on international markets:

• optimize production processes and reduce costs within the company, monitoring the improvement
over time of the environmental performance of products or services,

• enhance the company brand by adopting a transparency policy towards stakeholders,

• counteract the phenomenon of Greenwashing through the help of independent third party bodies
that validate the information communicated,

• trace the environmental performance along the entire production chain in a clear, transparent and
objective way,

• demonstrate compliance with the Minimum Environmental Criteria CAM Edilizia, which mention
EPDItaly as a tool for verifying compliance with the requirements (for example the percentage of
recycled material).

105
Sustainability in building and construction: LCA of 21 mural paints
L. Ciacci1,2 , I. Vassura1,2 , F. Passarini1,2 *, I. Vassura1,2 , D. Dellasanta1 , F. Catalano3 , A. Simoncelli3 , F.
Moretti3 IT

1
Department of Industrial Chemistry “Toso Montanari”, Alma Mater Studiorum–University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna,
Italy
2
Interdepartmental Centre for Industrial Research “Renewable resources, Environment, Sea and Energy” (CIRI –
FRAME), Alma Mater Studiorum–University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, Italy
3
Colorificio MP, 47922 Rimini, Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Sustainability and environmental impact assessment are essential to orient new generation materials
for building and construction. In this study, life cycle assessment [1-2] was applied to a set of 21 mural
paints produced by a paint factory in Italy. Data collection covered upstream processes (i.e., raw materials
extraction and supply), the core process (i.e., paint manufacture and packaging) and downstream processes
(i.e., transport to retailers). Material and energy inputs and outputs for the main additives employed in paint
manufacturing (e.g., antifoaming agents, dispersants, coalescing agents, additives, biocides and similar) were
gathered from primary and secondary data sources [3-6]. Life cycle impact assessment results were estimated
using the EPD method for global warming potential (on average, 0.4÷1.6 kg CO2 /kg paint), photochemical
oxidation (0.1÷1.1 g C2 H4 /kg paint), abiotic depletion (0.4÷3.5 g Sb/kg paint), acidification (0.2÷13.4 g SO2/kg
paint), and eutrophication (0.5÷3.4 g PO4/kg paint). Overall, upstream processes are responsible for the
greatest environmental impact (>44%), with titanium rutile from sulfates being the most impacting raw
material. The results informed decision makers and provided a basis for achieving improvement and greener
production strategies in the paint factory.

References
[1] ISO 14040:2006 – Environmental management – Life Cycle Assessment – Principles and framework.
International Standard Organisation, Switzerland.
[2] ISO 14044:2006/A1:2018 – Environmental management, Life cycle assessment, Requirements and guide-
lines. International Standard Organisation, Switzerland.
[3] Colorificio MP. (2018). Life cycle inventory. Personal communication.
[4] Dorfner. (2019). Life cycle analysis data. Personal communication.
[5] EPDLA – Europea Polymer Dispersion & Latex Association, 2012. EPDLA Life cycle inventory of polymer
dispersions. Personal communication.
[6] Wernet, G. et al. (2016). The ecoinvent database version 3 (part I): overview and methodology. The
International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment,. 21(9), 1218–1230.

106
Limits and potential innovation to a more circular design approach in public pro-
curement refurbishment works

A.M. Scolaro*, S. Corridori IT

Department of Architecture, Design and City Planning, University of Sassari, 07040 Alghero (SS), Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

In 2015, the European Action Plan for Circular Economy had established a set of actions which would have
helped to “close the loop” of products lifecycles. It is common knowledge that the building sector alone
produces 33% of the total amount of waste in Europe (Eurostat, 2016), therefore “closing the loop” is crucial
in order to reduce its impacts and increase its environmental efficiency (Ecorys, 2014). In 2017, the European
Commission published a brochure entitled “Public Procurement for a Circular Economy”, in which there
are illustrated some case studies to encourage a new approach in public procurement construction works.
Public authorities could play a key role but unfortunately there isn’t enough evidence in this field yet. In Italy,
green public procurement in building sector has become mandatory since 2015 but still, there are several
barriers to be overcome (e.g. “traditional” design approach; the inadequate construction and demolition
waste materials collection and recycling network; the absence of an End of Waste scheme; very few products
with an EPD; etc).

As regards refurbishment interventions of pre-existing buildings, this contribution will highlight both the
current limits and the potential innovations, in order to reach a more circular design approach throughout
technical choices, by analysing official contract documents -drawings and specifications in particular- in
which the corresponding author was involved as a consultant to apply the minimum environmental criteria
(CAM).

Villa Mugoni, Alghero (1930) (http//sardegnaabbandonata.it)

References
[1] Ecorys (2014). Resource efficiency in the building sector. Final report, Copenhagen.
[2] EEA (2017). Circular by design. Products in the circular economy, 6/2017.
[3] Addis B. (2006). Building with reclaimed components, Heartscan, London, UK.

107
The environmental sustainability of CBI Europe products through the EPD certi-
fication with the aim of implementing circular economy actions

F. Baldoni1 *, V. Bettini1 , S. Bragoni2 , A. Stabile2 , R. Marrocchini3 , F. Catena3 , F. Catena3 IT

1
Esalex srl, 61032 Fano, Italy
2
Studio Associato Sandro Bragoni, 60131 Ancona, Italy
3
CBI EUROPE SpA, 60027, Osimo Italy

* Corresponding author, Email: [email protected]

Environmental sustainability in construction sector has become an absolute value all over the world. There
are different green protocol, depending on geographic area, but most of them recognize great importance
to LCA study and consequently EPD system (“Environmental Product Declaration”) has become a strategic
instrument to give value to single construction product.

CBI Europe S.p.A. produces technological and innovative systems for a complete interior installation, with
passion and precision, for thirty years, worldwide. The company operates in the production of ceilings in
MDF, wood, steel, aluminium, mineral fibre and lightened plaster, partition walls, raised floors.

A sustainability path was started to answer to a Client’s requirement, related to a green project in Doha and
a product’s certification (EPD) project was performed to obtain 4 EPDs related to 4 product’s families (about
50 products). Now we are working to extend EPDs and so doing, we realize how many relations are with
principles of Circular Economy and which improving actions may be applied. And we are studying how to
effectively apply these projects, to decrease use of some raw materials and to obtain better green products
for green markets.

2 certified and published EPD

References
[1] PCR 2012:01. Construction products and construction services. Version 2.33

• ISO 14040:2006 Environmental management-Life Cycle Assessment – Principles and framework

• ISO 14044:2006 Environmental management-Life Cycle Assessment-Requirements and guidelines
• ISO 14025:2010 Environmental labels and declarations-Type III Environmental

[2] Declarations-Principles and procedures

• EN 15804:2012+A1:2013, Sustainability of construction works. Environmental product declarations

108
 Sponsors

With the technical assistance of:

109