Carlo Andrea Castiglioni

• PhD
• Professor (Full) at Politecnico di Milano

In recent years, policymakers worldwide have emphasized innovative solutions for urban challenges, guided by initiatives like the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and the European Green Deal. Nature-based solutions (NBS) play a crucial role in addressing climate issues and improving urban well-being. With urban areas witnessing a surge in NBS dem...

Vertical green systems (VGS) are emerging as an alternative to curtain wall for the design of building envelopes for retrofitting or new projects, since they are implemented to reduce and mitigate the Urban Heat Islands phenomenon and enhance biodiversity. The research opens with a reflection that raises questions and looks forward: if vegetation w...

Rack structures made of thin-walled cold-formed mild steel profiles integrate automated storage-and-retrieval (S&R) systems operating on a 24/7 basis to satisfy the current demands of warehouse logistics. The cyclic storage of palletized goods combined with dynamic actions from S&R systems results in fatigue phenomena responsible for interruptions....

The demand for free-form steel structures having improved performances, reducing labour and resource usage is increasing in the construction sector. Structural nodes are some of the most critical regions for steel structures characterised often by large dimensions. These nodes can exploit the geometrical freedom of metal additive manufacturing (MAM...

Local stress concentrations in some specific geometric details often play an essential role in time-dependent damage propagation. However, measured strain or stress data are generally available in locations that are not the most critical ones. Proper numerical models are thus required to aid the damage severity assessment. In this paper, a surrogat...

Directly welded truss girder joints result in high-stress development on the tube wall, which leads to increased chord thicknesses, requires extra welding, and presents detailing difficulties. Laser cutting technology (LCT) allows us to make precise cuts and pass through the truss members, welding the connection on the two sides. This can reduce ge...

3D laser cutting technology is a new automatised industrial process allowing the development of a range of novel applications in civil engineering. Its main advantage derives from the possibility to manufacture easily tridimensional cutting shapes with high precision (accuracy of about 10μm), minimising the hole size, optimising the welding quantit...

Cold-formed structural steel members are more and more adopted in the logistic industry. This makes them particularly susceptible to cyclic loads during their service life, while recommendations related to fatigue design of cold-formed structural steel details are completely missing at European level. This paper will discuss the experimental and nu...

Cold-formed thin-walled steel profiles are used in Storage-and-Retrieval (S&R) logistic systems due to their lightweight design, cost-effective production, and mechanical performance. Moreover, modern S&R systems are automated, where carrier-shuttles and stacker-cranes move heavy palleted products through a racking structure, subjecting its structu...

Climate changes are inducing consistent variations in the “actions” that are normally considered in design of buildings and more in general in Risk Analysis for urban environments. Extreme winds gusts, Heat Islands and Waves, instant flash floodings and thunderstorms are representing a natural phenomenon that become more and more frequent across Eu...

Automated Multi-Depth Shuttle Warehouses (AMSWs) are compact storage systems that provide a large surface occupation and therefore maximum storage density. AMSWs represent the future of storage technology, providing substantial savings in terms of cost, space, and energy with respect to traditional warehouses. Currently, designers refer to the stan...

Conventional connections of I-beam-to-CHS-column are prone to local distortion of the tube-wall in presence of bending moment that reduce its resistance and rigidity, and limit the use of these connections in multi-storey portal frames. Elements passing-through the CHS column may be a good solution to increase the resistance and stiffness of connec...

Conventional circular hollow section (CHS) connections are often prone to severe local distortion of the CHS column surface, premature flange fractures and demand excessive welding quantity due to much-needed local stiffeners, gusset plates or the direct welding technique. This results in an unavoidable complexity, which leads to a possible economi...

A risk-consistent approach is proposed for the evaluation of behaviour factors that are compatible with Eurocode 8, using nonlinear static and dynamic analysis. It comprises seven discrete steps, involving hazard assessment and record selection at multiple sites, designing and modelling multiple archetype buildings and assessing their performance v...

Steel Circular Hollow Sections (CHS), thanks to their geometrical properties, are particularly indicated for structural elements subjected to high compression, tension and bending forces in all directions, as buildings' columns, and represent an optimal solution in case of composite steel-concrete structures, directly providing the possibility of b...

In concentrically braced frames, braces-to-adjacent member connections are suitable locations for the dissipation of seismic energy. If the implementation of dissipative connections does not compromise the global lateral stiffness of the structure, the compression braces can then be protected from buckling, while the structural ductility is increas...

After a strong earthquake, repair work of conventional steel-concrete composite buildings can be very expensive, and very often, impossible due to practical problems. Within the EU-funded research project FUSEIS, a new steel-concrete composite frame type has been developed, as a cost-effective and robust alternative to conventional earthquake resis...

This paper presents an assessment and quantification of the environmental impacts arising from different steelconcrete composite floor systems. In particular, a demountable composite floor system using pretensioned highstrength friction grip bolts as shear connectors is compared with three conventional composite floor systems that use welded shear...

Steel concentrically braced frame (CBF) configuration is a common construction application in Europe. In the low-to-moderate seismicity context, European building codes provide two alternative design methods for CBFs; engineers have to choose between a “non-dissipative” method (DCL) neglecting all seismic provisions, and a “dissipative” one (DCM),...

This paper discusses the sliding behaviour of pallets in industrial racking systems under dynamic actions. For this purpose, a summary of the results of an extensive series of dynamic shake-table tests are presented; complete results of this extensive testing campaign may be found in a recently published book. Dynamic and seismic tests have been pe...

The available connection methods of I-beam-to-CHS-columns are complex and costly. They commonly need local stiffeners and gusset plates to allow an efficient load transfer between the beam and the column, resulting in excessive welding quantities, since directly welding the beams to the column surface increases the vulnerability of the joint to the...

This paper presents the results of a continuous monitoring activity of a commercial steel pallet-rack. The first objective was to obtain the real history of the dynamic actions undergone by the rack under daily service conditions. The second objective was to evaluate the damping factors obtained during the most important dynamic shakes. Finally, th...

Different modern seismic codes define the reference parameters to calculate the behaviour factor by means of a re-analysis of a pushover curve in a different way. This results in a wide variety of possible choices to select these parameters. In order to highlight this problem, this paper shows the outcomes of using different over-strength and ducti...

Civil structures subjected to strong earthquakes need to dissipate large amounts of energy. Hence, the conventional systems suffer significant inelastic deformations (costly damages) in main structural elements (steel beams, columns and concrete slabs) and residual interstorey drifts after a strong seismic event. Repair work, however, in these case...

Circular hollow sections (CHS) represent several advantages, such as uniform behaviour in all directions, possibility to obtain composite behaviour by concrete infill, hence high strength, stability and good fire resistance. Moreover, their aesthetic appeal has a great potential for the decision maker's attention, be that the architect or the build...

A risk-consistent approach is proposed for the evaluation of behaviour factors that are compatible with Eurocode 8 using nonlinear static and dynamic analysis. The proposed process comprises seven discrete steps, involving hazard assessment and record selection at multiple sites, designing and modelling multiple archetype buildings and assessing th...

There has been a large amount of research investigating the performance of concentrically braced frame (CBF) structures in the high-seismicity regions. Indeed, most building codes are appropriately advanced for the design of these structures in the high seismicity context. However, although CBFs represent a very common structural solution in the lo...

European project to improve the open-to-CHS column connections through a passing-through approach using laser cutting technology. Partners: FINCON Consulting, Italy; RWTH Aachen, Germany; University of Pisa, Italy; University of Milan, Italy; Instituto Superior Tecnico of Lisbon, Portugal; INSA Rennes, France; ADIGE SYS, Italy; OCAM, Italy; and V...

In this work, the nonlinear analysis of an existing industrial steel structure (Sodium building), and its retrofitting using SSCD dampers is demonstrated. Specific numerical complications of incremental dynamic (IDA) and pushover analyses as well as their resolution are presented. In particular, the modelling of a flag shaped, self-centering steel...

The paper presents a numerical analysis related to the FE simulation on steel storage pallet racks experimentally tested under pushover loads. Reference is made to specimens differing in components, joints and material properties on which full-scale frame and component tests have been executed in the framework of a European research project on the...

This paper investigates and compares the seismic performance of two types of innovative repairable fuse devices for earthquake resistant composite steel frames through experimental tests and numerical analyses. The fuses are energy dissipating devices consisting of steel plates that can be welded or bolted to the beam web and bottom flange. The num...

Steel storage racks are typically made of thin-walled cold formed steel profiles, which prove to be the most versatile, economic and sustainable elements for industrial rack construction. Their lightweight structural systems are usually designed to resist heavy load units, reaching considerable heights. However, the global behavior of storage racks...

This study presents the main results of the numerical investigations carried out on an innovative repairable fuse device for dissipative beam-to-column connections in moment-resisting composite steel frames. The fuse consists of steel plates bolted to the web and bottom flange of the beam with a specifically detailed gap in the concrete slab. The b...

Pallet racking systems, made of thin-walled cold formed steel profiles, are commonly used to store valuable goods and products in the logistics industry. In service conditions, longitudinal (down-aisle) stability of the racks is provided by the flexural stiffness of the demountable beam-upright column connections and base joints. Rack designers usu...

In order to investigate the sliding behaviour of pallets stored on steel racking systems, a large number of sliding tests under both static and dynamic conditions were performed within the EU.RFCS Research Project “SEISRACKS: Storage Racks in Seismic Areas”. In this paper, the results obtained for the assessment of the Static Friction Factor betwee...

Component tests were performed with the aim of characterizing the behaviour of both beam-to-upright and base connections, in order to allow a correct interpretation of full scale tests as well as in order to calibrate numerical models.

Friction is the tangential reaction force between two surfaces in contact. Physically these reaction forces are the results of many different mechanisms, which depend on contact geometry and typology, properties of the bulk and surface materials of the bodies, displacement and relative velocity of the bodies and presence of lubrication.

Shake-table testing of full-scale storage rack systems loaded with real merchandise represents the most direct experimental procedure to assess their seismic behaviour. Unfortunately, this type of testing is expensive compared to other methodologies and only a very limited number of shake-table studies on storage racks have been performed to date i...

The pseudo-dynamic test method is a hybrid analysis method, combining analytical techniques with experimental methods, aimed at the study of the seismic behaviour of structures.

Two push-over tests (one in down-aisle, the other in cross-aisle direction) were carried out, in order to evaluate the possibility to propose in a Standard Design Code for Racks in Seismic Areas, static push-over analyses (currently available in many commercially available software packages for structural analysis) as alternative to dynamic (linear...

An innovative repairable fuse device for moment-resisting composite steel frames is numerically investigated in this study developed within the European research project “Fuseis”. The fuse device consists of steel plates welded to the web and bottom flange of the beam with a specifically detailed gap in the concrete slab. In case of damage after a...

6th Symposium on Steel Structures, Eskisehir, Turchia, November 2015, pp. 1-16

Silos are industrial facilities used for storing a huge range of different materials. They should be designed to resist several loading conditions, and their seismic behaviour, which strongly depends on the geometrical and mechanical behaviour of their supporting structure, and the nonlinear behaviour of the content, should be accurately investigat...

Silos are industrial facilities used for storing a huge range of different materials. They should be designed to resist several loading conditions, and their seismic behaviour, which strongly depends on the geometrical and mechanical behaviour of their supporting structure, and the nonlinear be-haviour of the content, should be accurately investiga...

Concentrically braced frames (CBF) represent a very effective structural form against horizontal loading. They provide high lateral resistance at the same time limiting lateral displacements. Thanks to their simpler connection details and smaller cross sections, they are economic alternatives to the costly moment resisting frames. Nevertheless, con...

Repair work of conventional steel-concrete composite frames can be very expensive, sometimes impossible due to practical problems. EU-funded research project FUSEIS (RFCS-CT-2008-00032) has introduced two innovative types of seismic resistant steel-concrete composite frame types with dissipative fuses, which are cost-effective and robust alternativ...

Silos are industrial facilities used for storing a huge range of different materials. They should be designed to resist several loading conditions, and their seismic behaviour strongly depends on the geometrical and mechanical behaviour of their supporting frame, and the nonlinear behaviour of the content (e.g. friction, content-silo wall interacti...

This is a presentation of the results of full scale push over tests of EU research project SEISRACKS2: " Seismic Behaviour of Steel Storage Pallet Racking Systems " , RFSR-CT-2011-00031. After a general overview of the project, experimental results achieved to date in Politecnico di Milano are summarized. The push over tests has been carried out on...

The project FUSEIS carried out with the financial grant of the Research Programme of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel of the European Union (RFCS-CT-2008-00032), initiated in 2008 and ended in 2011, was aimed at developing two innovative types of seismic resistant steel frames with dissipative fuses. In case of strong earthquakes damage will co...

The project FUSEIS carried out with the financial grant of the Research Programme of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel of the European Union (RFCS-CT-2008-00032), initiated in 2008 and ended in 2011, was aimed at developing two innovative types of seismic resistant steel frames with dissipative fuses. In case of strong earthquakes damage will co...

A quite large series of tests on the static and dynamic friction properties of steel storage racking systems were performed within the project titled " Storage Racks in Seismic Areas " (acronym SEISRACKS) sponsored by the EU, Research Fund for Coal and Steel. In this paper are described the results obtained for the assessment of the static friction...

This is a presentation of the EU research project SEISRACKS2 : " Seismic Behaviour of Steel Storage Pallet Racking Systems " , RFSR-CT-2011-00031. After a general overview of the project, the activities performed in the first 18 months are summarized. This presentation is composed of three parts: the first part giving a global overview of the proje...

This is a presentation of the EU research project SEISRACKS2 : " Seismic Behaviour of Steel Storage Pallet Racking Systems " , RFSR-CT-2011-00031. After a general overview of the project, the activities performed in the first 18 months are summarized. This presentation is organized into three papers: the first one (part 1) giving a global overview...

This is a presentation of the EU research project SEISRACKS2 : " Seismic Behaviour of Steel Storage Pallet Racking Systems " , RFSR-CT-2011-00031, organized into three papers: the first one (part 1) giving a global overview of the project as well as an identification of lacks and weaknesses of the present version of FEM Recommendations and definiti...

The project FUSEIS carried out with the financial grant of the Research Programme of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel of the European Union (RFCS-CT-2008-00032), initiated in 2008 and ended in 2011, was aimed at developing two innovative types of seismic resistant steel frames with dissipative fuses. In case of strong earthquakes damage will co...

This is a presentation of the EU research project SEISRACKS2 : " Seismic Behaviour of Steel Storage Pallet Racking Systems " , RFSR-CT-2011-00031, organized into three papers: the first one (part 1) giving a global overview of the project as well as an identification of lacks and weaknesses of the present version of FEM Recommendations and definiti...

In recent years there has been increasing international interest about designing structures that cost less to repair after they have been subjected to strong earthquakes. Considering this interest, an innovative repairable fuse device has been developed for dissipative beam-to-column connections in moment-resisting composite steel and concrete fram...

This article presents the results of the experimental research performed at Politecnico di Milano, within the project Fuseis. The research project aims at developing innovative types of seismic resistant composite steel frames with dissipative fuses. In case of strong seismic events, damage will concentrate only in these fuses, without observing an...

The project Fuseis carried out with the financial grant of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel of the European Union (RFCS-CT-2008-00032), aims at developing two innovative types of seismic resistant steel frames with dissipative fuses. In case of strong earthquakes damage will concentrate only in the fuses, which will be easily and inexpensively...

In order to protect the precious art and historical objects on display, recently the museum buildings in earthquake prone countries are designed and constructed with seismic base isolation devices, at the foundation level. However, when adopting conventional base isolation devices (e.g. LRB, friction pendulum), the horizontal accelerations in the b...

The 20-29 May 2012 earthquake events occurred along Emilia Romagna segment of Po Plain valley (Pianura Padana), a NW - SE oriented basin along the Southern tectonic boundary of Adria plate, with Northern Apennines. Major earthquake sequence events' focal mechanisms, evince the activation of low angle thrust structures, separating the earthquake act...

The project Fuseis carried out with the financial grant of the Research Programme of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel of the European Union (RFCS-CT-2008-00032), initiated in July 2008 and aims at developing two innovative types of seismic resistant steel frames with dissipative fuses. In case of strong earthquakes damage will concentrate only...