Alessandro Sabato

Alessandro Sabato
University of Massachusetts Lowell | UML · Department of Mechanical Engineering

Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering

About

89
Publications
35,748
Reads
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1,235
Citations
Introduction
The majority of the experimental and analytical research I have performed lays in the fields of acoustics, structural dynamics, non-destructive evaluation, and sensor-based structural health monitoring. I am a strong advocate of applying new advanced technologies (e.g. Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, and Wireless Sensor Network) and last-generation measurement techniques (e.g. non-contact measurement methods) to solve real-world, engineering-related problems.
Additional affiliations
September 2018 - December 2018
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Position
  • Professor
October 2015 - present
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Position
  • Post-Doctoral Research Associate Fellow
Description
  • • Designed a vision-based system for railroad tracks SHM • Tested 3D-DIC UAV system for bridges SHM • Refined NDT techniques using IRT for wind-turbine blades SHM • Development of a UT for structural dynamic excitation • Mentored MS and PhD students.
September 2014 - June 2015
University of Calabria
Position
  • Research Assistant
Description
  • Lectured in Graduate and Doctoral-level classes on"Noise and Electromagnetic Pollution".
Education
February 2012 - December 2014
University of Calabria
Field of study
  • Mechanical Engineering
January 2007 - April 2010
University of Calabria
Field of study
  • Environmental Engineering
September 2003 - December 2006
University of Calabria
Field of study
  • Environmental Engineering

Publications

Publications (89)
Article
Recent advancements in machine learning and artificial neural network algorithms have created new opportunities for expanding sparse measurements to full-field representations. However, these methods often face accuracy challenges when used for condition monitoring of physical systems. For example, traditional autoencoders can capture complex pheno...
Research Proposal
Full-text available
Deadline: 12/31/2024. Aims & Scope: The rapid development of advanced computer-vision algorithms and the availability of affordable and high-performance cameras have provided structural engineers and asset managers with new tools for bridge inspection and monitoring. Camera sensors allow gathering rich visual data relatively easily even using a sm...
Chapter
Three-dimensional digital image correlation (3D-DIC) has shown to be a powerful tool to extract full-field displacement and deformations of structures using a series of synchronized stereo images. Before performing 3D-DIC measurements, the stereovision system must be calibrated to determine the relative position of the two cameras. Traditionally, t...
Chapter
Dynamic spatiotemporal (ST) characteristics of a structure, such as natural frequency, frequency spectra, and operational deflection shapes, are used to assess and monitor a system’s condition. Recent developments in machine learning and computer vision approaches have created new paradigms to utilize ST characteristics and extract complex dynamics...
Chapter
Optical motion magnification (OMM) is a non-contact monitoring technique that is gaining popularity in the vibration analysis and structural health monitoring (SHM) communities. Using ordinary video of a targeted structure, OMM algorithms can extract imperceptible motion and identify issues that may lead to structural failure. This technique can pr...
Conference Paper
This work presents the application of three-dimensional digital image correlation (3D-DIC) to capture pre- and post-gelation volumetric chemical shrinkage of EPON 862 thermosetting resin paired with hardener triethylenetetramine (TETA) and cured at room temperature. The manufacturer-recommended 100:14 resin-hardener mixing ratio is used for DIC exp...
Conference Paper
Three-dimensional Digital Image Correlation (3D-DIC) is a computer vision technique capable of extracting full-field displacements of structures by processing images acquired from synchronized stereo cameras and performing triangulation. To properly reconstruct the 3D points in space, the stereo cameras must be calibrated to compute the lens distor...
Conference Paper
An inexpensive, quick, and robust structural health monitoring technique to assess the integrity of wind turbine foundations and components remains elusive. Traditional techniques for wind turbine condition monitoring (CM) are costly, invasive, and cause downtime in the asset. As turbines age, wear-induced damage may accumulate in the structural an...
Preprint
Full-text available
Chemical shrinkage in thermosetting polymers drives residual stress development and induces residual deformation in composite materials. Accurate characterization of chemical shrinkage during curing is therefore vital to minimize residual stresses through process modeling and optimize composite performance. This work introduces a novel methodology...
Article
Stereophotogrammetry is a well-recognized technique for structural health monitoring. Before performing any quantitative stereophotogrammetry measurement, the cameras must be calibrated to obtain the intrinsic and extrinsic parameters of the stereovision system. However, when large-sized structures are to be monitored, the calibration process is ch...
Article
Engineering structures and infrastructure continue to be used despite approaching or having reached their design lifetime. While contact-based measurement techniques are challenging to implement at a large scale and provide information at discrete locations only, non-contact methods are more user-friendly and offer accurate, robust, and continuous...
Article
Full-text available
GREEN AND RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES ARE JUST THE START OF RESILIENCY: SMART MANAGEMENT OF MICROGRIDS WILL HELP PROTECT NAVAL AND EXPEDITIONARY POWER SOURCES FROM ENEMIES BOTH NATURAL AND MAN-MADE.
Article
Sinkholes form when culverts beneath roadways fail, posing a safety hazard that requires costly repairs and causes traffic delays. Detecting the onset of sub-pavement voids can prevent sudden pavement failure. This research presents an automated approach for increasing the detection accuracy of sub-pavement voids from infrared (IR) images collected...
Article
Three-dimensional Digital Image Correlation (3D-DIC) gained popularity as a line-of-sight, high-resolution Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) technique. Nonetheless, 3D-DIC is still impractical when the natural frequencies and the mode shapes of the structure have to be correlated. Recently, the integration of Motion Magnification (MM) as a pre-pro...
Chapter
Aerospace, civil, energy, and mechanical engineering structures continue to be used despite reaching their design lifetime. Developing sensing and data analytics to assess the structural condition of the targeted systems is crucial. Traditional contact-based techniques may produce inconsistent results and are labor-intensive to be considered a vali...
Article
Structural aging or inefficient design affects the energy efficiency of buildings in the United States. Infrared thermography (IRT) in conjunction with unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) followed by point cloud (PC) reconstruction can be used to generate renderings of structures that highlight areas of excessive heat loss. This work represents the first...
Article
Full-text available
Roadways' sub-pavement voids caused by eroded soil through damaged culverts lead to safety hazards, traffic inconvenience, and expensive repairs. Infrared thermography (IRT) could help to identify those voids before the structural integrity of roadway pavements is compromised. However, IRT suffers from poor signal-to-noise ratio. This study impleme...
Article
Full-text available
In recent years, three-dimensional Digital Image Correlation (3D-DIC) has proven to be a reliable technique for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) by allowing full line-of-sight, high-resolution, and contactless measurements of structures. The large amount of raw output resulting from 3D-DIC requires appropriate methods to visualise and analyse the...
Article
Non-destructive evaluation (NDE) has become a reliable inspection tool to detect structural flaws in many engineering domains. Similarly, advancements in computer-vision made it possible to assess structural conditions from a set of digital images. This research introduces a novel inspection technique for detecting subsurface defects that cause hea...
Article
Full-text available
Advancements in computer-vision methods have made stereophotogrammetry and three-dimensional digital image correlation (3D-DIC) attractive tools for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM). Nonetheless, optical approaches are not always well suited for quantitative measurement on large-scale structures due to the challenging calibration process of the c...
Article
Full-text available
This paper examines different concepts in relation to the picture-frame test for shear characterization of a woven prepreg fabric. The influence of the sample arms is investigated by means of cut slits as well as removed transverse tows. Shear angles are obtained using Digital Image Correlation (DIC) and also from images taken during the test which...
Article
Full-text available
Wind turbine blade certification requires static and fatigue testing at a large‐scale facility similar to the Wind Technology Testing Center (WTTC) located in Charlestown, Massachusetts. Usually, these tests are conducted by using wire‐based sensors such as strain gages, accelerometers, and string potentiometers. These systems are expensive, requir...
Article
Full-text available
Utility-scale wind turbine blades (WTBs) require proper certification to ensure that they meet the design specifications and for safe operation throughout their lifetime. Instrumentation during testing involves using wire-based sensors such as strain gauges and accelerometers. These systems are expensive, time-consuming to install, difficult to dep...
Article
Full-text available
The use of conventional modal excitation techniques (e.g., impact hammers, piezoelectric actuators, and mechanical shakers) may be challenging if high-frequency dynamic measurements on lightweight structures need to be performed. The use of the high-frequency radiation force generated by focused ultrasonic transducers (FUTs) can help to resolve thi...
Article
Full-text available
Conventional excitation techniques typically use an impact hammer, piezoelectric actuator, or mechanical shaker excitation for experimental modal testing. However, the use of these devices may be challenging if accurate high-frequency dynamic measurements on small or lightweight structural parts have to be performed. To overcome these problems, the...
Chapter
Full-text available
Monitoring and analyzing the integrity of structures, infrastructure, and machines is essential for economic, operational, and safety reasons. The assessment of structural integrity and dynamic conditions of those systems are important to ensure safe operation and achieve or even extend the design service life. Recent advancements in camera technol...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
The use of conventional modal excitation techniques (e.g., impact hammers, piezoelectric actuators, and mechanical shakers) may be challenging if high-frequency dynamic measurements on lightweight structures need to be performed. The use of the high-frequency radiation force generated by focused ultrasonic transducers (FUTs) can help to resolve thi...
Article
Full-text available
To increase the energy conversion efficiency and power production, the size of wind turbine blades has continued to grow larger. As such, the need to identify defects and monitor the structural health becomes more critical to maintain reliability and prevent costly catastrophic failures. Larger blades are subject to an increased likelihood of opera...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
The monitoring of civil, mechanical, and aerospace structures is important especially as these systems approach or surpass their design life. Often, Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) relies on sensing techniques for condition assessment. Advancements achieved in camera technology and optical sensors have made three-dimensional (3D) Digital Image C...
Data
The monitoring of civil, mechanical, and aerospace structures is important especially as these systems approach or surpass their design life. Often, Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) relies on sensing techniques for condition assessment. Advancements achieved in camera technology and optical sensors have made three-dimensional (3D) Digital Image C...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
Over the last two decades, wind turbine blades have been growing in size and the need to quickly test and certify new designs, as well as understand their structural dynamic behavior is more important than ever. Blade testing is performed in dedicated facilities where the mechanical properties are tested to demonstrate that the blades meet the desi...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
Traditional wire-based transducers (e.g. strain gages and accelerometers) are the main measurement tools in identifying the response of mechanical structures subjected to static and dynamic loading. These techniques are expensive, time consuming to install, and estimate the responses of the structure at only discrete number of points. To couple wit...
Article
Full-text available
Quantifying the condition of aging structures is important to verify structural integrity and long-term reliability. Structural health monitoring plays a key role in the prevention of catastrophic failure, in improving the safety of infrastructure, and in reducing the downtime and costs associated with their maintenance. Bridges are typically desig...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
Routinely, civil, mechanical, and aerospace structures continue to be used despite that they are approaching or have already exceeded their design life. Structural monitoring techniques have the ability to indicate the onset of or avoid failure. Conventional sensing techniques like visual inspection and sensors such as accelerometers, strain gages,...
Article
Full-text available
To date, conventional excitation techniques such as impact hammer or mechanical shaker excitations are commonly used in experimental modal testing. However, these excitations require that the excitation device be in direct contact with test articles, resulting in measurement distortions, particularly for small structures like MEMS cantilever. In ad...
Article
Full-text available
Bragg scattering is a well-known occurrence in structures containing periodically spaced obstructions. A urethane test panel, with periodically spaced aluminum ribs, was built to study the possibility of using Bragg scattered responses to localize acoustic underwatersignals. The presence of Bragg scatteredwaves may allow the size of an array to be...
Data
Track failures due to cross tie degradation or loss in ballast support may result in a number of problems ranging from simple service interruptions to derailments. Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) of railway track is important for safety reasons and to reduce downtime and maintenance costs. For this reason, novel and cost-effective track inspecti...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
Track failures due to cross tie degradation or loss in ballast support may result in a number of problems ranging from simple service interruptions to derailments. Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) of railway track is important for safety reasons and to reduce downtime and maintenance costs. For this reason, novel and cost-effective track inspecti...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
Civil engineering structures such as bridges, buildings, and tunnels continue to be used despite aging and deterioration well past their design life. In 2013, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) rated the state of the U.S. bridges as mediocre, despite the $12.8 billion USD annually invested. Traditional inspection and monitoring techniqu...
Article
Full-text available
Abstract Structural health monitoring (SHM) of aging railway tracks is important for safety, to prevent catastrophic failure, and to reduce maintenance costs. The tracks and foundations are complex systems that may contain defects or damage including internal rail cracks, pitting or surface erosion, degradation of ballast support, or railway crosst...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
Conventional excitation techniques such as modal impact hammer and shakers are commonly used in experimental modal testing. However, these excitation approaches require the excitation device to be in direct contact with test articles. It can result in distorted measurements, particularly for small structures, such as a MEMS cantilever and thumb nai...
Article
Full-text available
Monitoring and analysing the integrity of structures and machinery is important for economic, operational, and mission critical reasons. In recent years, there has been growing interest in performing Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) by monitoring structural dynamic response via Micro Electro- Mechanical System (MEMS) accelerometers. In addition,...
Presentation
Railroads experience different track failure mechanisms, which may cause problems ranging from service interruptions to derailments. With reference to the crossties-ballast system, one of the most acknowledged high-risk scenarios is the center binding condition, a situation in which the support of the ballast under the crossties is initially concen...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
Railroads experience different track failure mechanisms, which may cause problems ranging from service interruptions to derailments. With reference to the crossties-ballast system, one of the most acknowledged high-risk scenarios is the center binding condition, a situation in which the support of the ballast under the crossties is initially concen...
Data
Railroads experience different track failure mechanisms, which may cause problems ranging from service interruptions to derailments. With reference to the crossties-ballast system, one of the most acknowledged high-risk scenarios is the center binding condition, a situation in which the support of the ballast under the crossties is initially concen...
Article
Full-text available
The dynamic focused ultrasound radiation force has been recently used for excitation of structures with sizes ranging from micro to macro scale having a frequency bandwidth between tens of Hertz and up to 100 kHz. Therefore it can potentially be used as an alternative non-contact excitation method for conventional contact type excitations such as m...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
Road traffic has become a prominent feature of many urban areas and one of the dominant sources of community noise exposure. For this reason, a great deal of attention should be paid to reduce noise as urban planning activities are performed. In the last decade, traffic-regulation devices have been widely used on city roads. Rumble strips have been...
Article
Full-text available
Structural health monitoring (SHM) plays an important role in maintaining system integrity of aging structures and machinery parts. Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) accelerometers, because of their low cost and small dimensions, have emerged as attractive sensing tools for monitoring structural condition based on changes in structural vibration...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
As civil infrastructure (i.e. bridges, railways, and tunnels) continues to age; the frequency and need to perform inspection more quickly on a broader scale increases. Traditional inspection and monitoring techniques (e.g., visual inspection, mechanical sounding, rebound hammer, cover meter, electrical potential measurements, ultrasound, and ground...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
Control aging structures and infrastructures is of importance as these systems may have economic and strategic relevance. Develop reliable and accurate instruments for monitoring the structural dynamic behavior plays a key role in predicting the onset of possible crisis scenarios. Recent advances in technology have made wireless Micro Electro-Mecha...
Data
In recent years, growing interest has been aroused by the possibility of monitoring wirelessly the dynamic response and the state of aging infrastructures. Micro Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) based equipment has revealed to be an emerging technology for vibration monitoring of large-sized civil structures such as bridges and buildings. Once prob...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
In recent years, growing interest has been aroused by the possibility of monitoring wirelessly the dynamic response and the state of aging infrastructures. Micro Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) based equipment has revealed to be an emerging technology for vibration monitoring of large-sized civil structures such as bridges and buildings. Once prob...
Presentation
In recent years, growing interest has been aroused by the possibility of monitoring wirelessly the dynamic response and the state of aging infrastructures. Micro Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) based equipment has revealed to be an emerging technology for vibration monitoring of large-sized civil structures such as bridges and buildings. Once prob...
Conference Paper
Full-text available
Workers protection from risk arising from prolonged exposure to loud acoustic fields plays a key role in the safeguard of people physical and mental wellbeing. In workplaces, depending on level and time of exposition, annoyance or permanent damage may occur. Furthermore, other parameters su ch as impulsive events, spectral composition, and phenomen...
Article
Full-text available
Recent advances in the Micro Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) technology have made wireless MEMS accelerometers an attractive tool for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) of civil engineering structures. To date, sensors' low sensitivity and accuracy-especially at very low frequencies-have imposed serious limitations for their application in monitor...
Article
Full-text available
In Europe the protection of workers from damage arising from prolonged exposure to sources of noise is assured by Directive 2003/10/EC. This directive defines health and safety requirements and creates a minimum guaranteed level of protection for all European Community workers. Unfortunately, this legislation has a number of shortcomings, which ren...
Chapter
Full-text available
Risks arising from physical agents-such as noise pollution-are sometimes underrated or not treated in a suitable way. This happens especially when workplace wellbeing is considered. In Europe, security is ensured with the Directive 2003/10/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of February 6 th , 2003 on the minimum health and safety requ...