Research project

HOLAHERIS proposes a holistic structural analysis method for cultural heritage structures (CHSs) conservation, introducing an original multidisciplinary framework that will make the safeguard and protection of CHSs less expensive, faster and more reliable than existing approaches. These features will allow to apply smart management to a wider range of CHSs. Scientific novelties will be introduced through 4 objectives: (1) innovative integration of 3D documentation data for rapid numerical model generation of CHSs, (2) innovative integration of structural health monitoring (SHM) and numerical modelling for decision-making in CHSs conservation, (3) sub-modelling-based stochastic dynamic analysis for seismic assessment of CHSs, (4) modelling environmental deterioration in historic building materials and composite strengthening systems. The HOLAHERIS activities will require a multidisciplinary approach, that will be achievable by merging the expertise of the 3 institutions involved: Princeton University (18-month outgoing phase, supervisor Prof Glisic and co-advisor Prof Finkelstein, experts in SHM and computer graphics), University of Minho (6-month secondment, supervisor Prof Lourenço, expert in historical structures), University of Bologna (12-month return phase, supervisor Prof de Miranda and co-advisor Dr Sassoni, experts in computational mechanics and materials science). Dr D’Altri will receive excellent training in the 3 institutions, expanding his knowledge. This new knowledge, combined with the publication of research results in top journals, will allow him to boost his career development and become a structural mechanics-expert tenured researcher in EU academia. The project will be organized in 8 work packages (WPs). The first 4 WPs will consider the 4 objectives, and WP5 will integrate them in a unique method to holistically treat the structural analysis of CHSs. WP6, WP7 and WP8 will deal with training, exploitation/dissemination, and project management.