Ancient and Modern Structure in Italy: An analysis by Prof. Ballarini

1101 Milford St,Houston TX 77006

10 May, 2022

Description

Analyses, health-monitoring, and curating of iconic (and ancient) Italian structures. Prof. Roberto Ballarini said the pleasures of his life include the friendships and collaborations that he has enjoyed with Italian colleagues who have been and continue to be intimately involved in the analyses, health-monitoring, and curating of iconic (and ancient) Italian structures, including Brunelleschi’s Dome, St. Mark’s Campanile, and the Tower of Pisa. His frequent visits with these academics, engineers and architects have provided him an understanding of the challenges associated not only with the design and construction of these structures, but also with minimizing the risk of their collapse. In this talk, Ballarini will provide a glimpse of issues associated with the safety of those structures with which he is familiar. Along the way, he will also highlight the creativity and innovation reflected by modern structures, including (as time allows) Aula Paula VI (Aula Nervi), Palazzetto dello Sport, and Palazzo Lombardia. About the presenter: Roberto Ballarini obtained his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Northwestern University (1985). He currently serves as Thomas and Laura Hsu Professor and Chair of Civil and Environmental Engineering at University of Houston, and Director of the University of Houston-Dalian Maritime University International Institute. Ballarini previously served as James L. Record Professor and Head of the Department of Civil Engineering at University of Minnesota, and Leonard Case Professor of Engineering at Case Western Reserve University. Professor Ballarini is a structural engineer and mechanician whose research focuses on the development and application of theoretical, computational and experimental methods to characterize the response of materials to mechanical, thermal, and environmental loads. He is particularly interested in improving our understanding of the fracture and fatigue of materials and structures. Professor Ballarini’s multidisciplinary research has been applied to problems arising in civil engineering, mechanical and aerospace engineering, materials science, microelectromechanical systems, and biological materials. He published more than 120 papers in high-impact journals including Science and Nature, and has been a visiting professor at numerous universities around the globe. Several of Ballarini’s research results have been featured in the popular press, including the New York Times Science Times, American Scientist, Pour la Science, Business Week, Financial Times, and Geo. He was elected a Distinguished Member of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), served as President of the ASCE Engineering Mechanics Institute and Chief-Editor of its Journal of Engineering Mechanics, and received the 2019 Raymond D. Mindlin Medal in recognition of his outstanding contributions to applied solid mechanics. - The ICCC is funded in part by the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.