Founded in 1224 by the King Frederick II Hohenstaufen , the
University of Naples was the first public University in Italy and now is
one of the biggest of the country.
THE UNIVERITY IN NUMBERS
Facilities:
 3 university divisions
 13 faculties
 26 doctorate schools
 79 departments
 108 libraries
Courses:
 147 degree courses
 80 doctorate courses
 82 master courses
 146 specialization courses
People:
 96867 students
 1604 professors
 1207 researchers
Currently, research and academic activities related to steel
structures involve two departments. Innovative facilities are
available for the development of theoretical as well as
experimental activities.
Department of Construction and
Mathematical methods in Architecture
Head: Raffaele Landolfo
Department of Structural Engineering
Head: Gaetano Manfredi

Full Professor in Structural Engineering at University of Naples “Federico II”

Head of the Department of the Constructions and Mathematical Methods in
Architecture

External examiner for MSc in Earthquake Engineering and Structural Steel
Design at Imperial College London

Member of UNI-SC3 Committee on “Steel and Composite Structures”

Expert consultant in several activities of national working group and of the
European Project Team dealing with the conversion from ENV to EN of the
Eurocode 3

Chairman of the ECCS Technical Committee n.13 on Seismic Design since
2007
His research activity involves the participation in several national and international
research projects. Engaged in many national and international research projects,
he is author of a book and of more than 200 papers.
The University of Naples is active on the research related to steel
structures since the sixties. The main topics currently investigated
at the Department of Constructions and Mathematical Methods
in Architecture are :
Steel & Earthquake
Cold-Formed Steel
Sustainable Steel Constructions
Historical Steel Constructions
Composite Materials
Umberto I Gallery, Naples
Rotation Capacity of Steel Members
High Strength Steel
Displacement Based Design
Umberto I Gallery, Naples
The principal scope of the work has been the revision of the
classification criteria of steel members actually adopted by
seismic codes and the introduction of a new criterion which
takes into account the principal factors that influence the
structural response.
A wide experimental campaign of monotonic and cyclic tests
has been carried out to investigate the different parameters that
influences the ductility and the overstrength of steel members:
the material strength, different slenderness ratios and cyclic
actions. Indeed, a wide range of cross sections has been tested.
The processing of the experimental results allows to classify the
tested profiles applying different classification criteria proposed
by the technical codes EC3, NTC 08, OPCM 3274.
1.
COST Action C26 “Urban Habitat Constructions Under
Catastrophic Events”, European Science Foundation,
WG2 “Earthquake resistance”, years 2006-2010
2. “Capacità rotazionale e criteri di classificazione delle
membrature” RELUIS-DPC, Linea 5, years 2005-2008.
3. “L’influenza della modellazione dei collegamenti sulla
risposta sismo-resistente dei telai di acciaio" PRIN:
“L’influenza dei collegamenti sul comportamento
sismo-resistente delle strutture", years 1999-2001.
The idea that is at the base of the so called Dual-Steel Structures
is to use Mild Carbon Steel (S235, S275, S355) in dissipative
members and High Strength Steel (S460, S690) in non-dissipative
members, that are designed to remain elastic during the
earthquake and so are characterized by high strength demands.
The robustness of the Dual-Steel Structures to severe seismic
action is ensured by their global performance, in terms of
ductility, stiffness and strength.
The main specific objectives of the research are mainly to find
reliable structural typologies and joint/connection detailing for
Dual-steel Building Frames and to develop design criteria and
Performance Based Design methodology for Dual-Steel structures
using HSS.
1.
HSS-SERF (High Strength Steel), RFCS 6th Framework
Program on Research, Technological Development
and Demonstration. European Commission, years
2005-2008.
me
F
Fu
Fn
he
The structural damage due to seismic events is related to strains
developed in members and it is related to their displacements.
Displacements and drifts are the best indicators of structural
damage.
(a) SDOF Simulation
60
Displacement (m)
40
Concrete Frame
20
Unbonded Prestressing
10%
0.3
15%
20%
2
3
4
5
6
 Te
0
1
2
3
4
5
Period (seconds)
(d) Design Displacement Spectra
Fig. 2.1 Fundamentals of Direct Displacement-Based
Design
25
EC8
1s_2s_R2
1s_2s_R4
1s_2s_R6
Average
2
1000
800
Axial force (kN)

0.1
Displacement Ductility
(c) Equivalent damping vs. ductility
600
400
200
0
-200
-600
-0.06
30%
d
0.2
0
1
-400
5%
0.4
0
1200
d
0.5
Elasto-Plastic
Steel Frame
The main concern is the definition of the displacement shape,
that is usually based on some mixture of theory and empirical
knowledge of similar structures.
When a new structure type is to be analyzed using the DBD
methodology, then the problem to define the displacement
shape come to be solved.
Ke
(b) Effective Stiffness K e
Pseudo acceleration (m/s )
The DBD methodology allows the base shear strength to be
computed case-by-case, in order to meet selected target
displacements.
Ki
y
Damping (%)
In codified force-based design procedures, displacements are
considered only as an output of the design process. Instead, in
displacement-based design procedures, displacements are the
input data of the design process.
rKi
Georgescu formulation
20
15
1s_2s_R1
1s_2s_R3
1s_2s_R5
1s_2s_R7
10
5
0
-0.04
-0.02
0
Axial deformation (m)
0.02
0.04
0
0.5
1
1.5
T (s)
2
2.5
3
1.
DiSTEEL (Development of a direct displacementbased methodology for seismic design and
vulnerability assessment), RFCS 7th Framework
Program on Research, Technological Development
and Demonstration. European Commission, years
2006-2009.
Housing
Cube House
Innovative beams
Umberto I Gallery, Naples
The research is devoted to define a proposal of design
procedure for CFS housing in seismic area, that can be readily
used by designers.
The study has been focused on the seismic behaviour of CFS
shear walls sheathed with oriented strand board and/or gypsum
board panels.
The first part of the experimental phase has been carried out on
two, nominally identical, prototypes. The specimens have been
tested under monotonic and cyclic loading conditions.
In a second phase, a wide experimental campaign aiming at
characterizing the shear behaviour of different sheathings and
sheathing-to-CFS profiles connections has been carried out.
The theoretical and experimental results have been accounted
for the proposal of a seismic design procedure.
1.
“Abitazioni per la gestione dell’emergenza” RELUIS-DPC
LINEA10, years 2005-2008.
2. “Metodologie e criteri di progetto per l’housing in coldformed in zona sismica“ PRIN: “Strutture metalliche
innovative per la protezione sismica di edifici nuovi ed
esistenti: criteri e metodologie di progetto", years 20032005.
3. “Studio teorico-sperimentale sulla possibilità di impiego
dei profili di acciaio formati a freddo in zona sismica “
PRIN: “Strutture di acciaio innovative per la protezione
sismica degli edifici", years 2001-2003.
Building Construction of Foundation and Primary
Stage School _ BFS Naples _ Lago Patria
The cold-formed steel research group is currently involved in the
realization of the most important structure in cold-formed steel
sheathed with structural panels that is going on in Italy. The
design has been developed for the English Department of the
United Estates and it is under construction right now. The school
extends on 3000m2 , it is organized in 8 buildings, 6 of which are
in cold-formed steel and will open the next year.
The case study is a residential unit of 7,80x7,80m², with two
stories. The total height is of 3 m. This building is a practical
application of the MPN system, that is a steel cold-formed brick.
The design concept was implemented by the arch. Silvio D’Ascia.
The Cube House structure is a tubular panel structure, made of
two vertical and two horizontal walls, composed by MPN. These
elements represent the structural vertical subsystem.
The joints between the vertical walls and horizontal slabs are
made of a half of steel brick.
The main scope of this work is to promote an innovative coldformed beam realized thanks to the laser welding technology.
Laser welding, thanks to its characteristics, is an optimal tool for
the automation of welding processes. The main characteristic of
the laser welding is the velocity. The quality of the welding is
high, and high structural performances are guaranteed.
In the first phase a theoretical and experimental study of the
basic connections was performed. To this end, a large
experimental tests campaign was carried out. Connections shear
tests was performed to evaluate the affection of different
geometrical and technical parameters on connections strength
and ductility.
The main scope was the analysis of the structural performances
of the MCL beams, assembled with laser welding. The study
activities was based on the experimental tests performed on real
scale specimens and on FE models with non linear
characteristics implemented on ANSYS software.
Finally the study and the design of a production line of laser
weldings for this beams was carried out.
1. “Progetto e sviluppo di un sistema costruttivo integrato
in acciaio cold-formed basato su tecnologie e
componenti innovative" commissioned by Ben Vautier
S.p.A with funding of Ministero delle Attività Produttive,
years 2006-2008.
2. “Caratterizzazione del processo di saldatura laser di
una trave composta" commissioned by Ben Vautier
S.p.A with funding according to Legge n.598/94, years
2004-2007.
3. “Progetto di sviluppo per una trave modulare
componibile " commissioned by Ben Vautier S.p.A with
funding according to Legge n.46/82, years 2002-2005.
Sustainable Design
LCA of Steel Structures
Umberto I Gallery, Naples
Economy
Society
The research on Sustainable Design deals with the evaluation of
environmental, economical and social performances of steel
structures during the whole life cycle, considering also the
adverse impacts produced on planet, people and economy.
Sustainable
Development
In order to achieve the goal of sustainable structures it is indeed
required to apply integrated design methodology, which take
into account, as a whole, all the sustainability requirements
according to multi-performance life-cycle oriented approach.
According to this, in the last years the topic of durability of steel
structures as well as life cycle structural performance have been
investigating.
Environment
1.
COST Action C25 “Sustainability of Constructions:
Integrated approach to Life-time Structural
Engineering”, European Science Foundation, WG3
“Life-cycle Structural Engineering”, years 2006-2010.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analysis are aimed at evaluating the
environmental burdens associated with a product process or
activity by identifying energy and materials used and wastes
released to the environment.
LCA methodology is characterized by four main stages:
1.
Goals and Scope definition
2.
Life Cycle Inventory (LCI)
3.
Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA)
4.
Life Cycle Interpretation
LCA can be used as a useful tool to address the selection
among different design options and identify the critical life cycle
stages, in terms of environmental impacts, associated with
maintenance, repair and rehabilitation of components.
1.
COST Action C25 “Sustainability of Constructions:
Integrated approach to Life-time Structural
Engineering”, European Science Foundation, WG3
“Life-cycle Structural Engineering”, years 2006-2010.
2. “Definizione e sviluppo di archivi di dati per la
valutazione del rischio, la pianificazione e la gestione
dell’emergenza” RELUIS-DPC, Linea 10, years 20052008.
Steel Roofing
Steel Bridges
Umberto I Gallery, Naples
The main scope of the research is to develop a methodology for
the assessment of the vulnerability and the use of reversible
mixed technologies, with regard to historical and monumental
metallic constructions.
The case study was the Dome of the Umberto I Gallery in Naples.
The research program has been articulated through a wide
experimental activity, in order to characterize both the
mechanical properties of historical material and the structural
behavior of riveted connections.
In order to analyze the structural vulnerability and the seismic
capacity of the Dome, three-dimensional finite element models
have been implemented.
In order to guarantee the structural integrity of the constructions,
the research is ongoing in a strengthening solution using FRP.
1. “Vulnerabilità e tecniche di consolidamento reversibili
per le strutture storiche in carpenteria metallica“ PRIN:
“Salvaguardia e riabilitazione strutturale di edifici storici
mediante tecniche miste reversibili ", years 2005-2007.
2. “Metodologie di analisi per la previsione della risposta
strutturale di manufatti architettonici in carpenteria
metallica“ CNR: “Metodi e modelli predittivi del
comportamento strutturale di manufatti in presenza e
in assenza di danno” according to Legge 449/97,
years 2002-2005.
The main scope of the research is to develop a methodology for
the study of the durability and for the assessment of the
vulnerability, with regard to historical and monumental metallic
constructions.
The case study was the historic metal truss railway bridge on
Gesso river, near Foggia. The case studies was selected through
the strong collaboration established between the research unit
and the Italian rail operator Ferrovie dello Stato.
The research program has been articulated through a wide
experimental activity, in order to characterize both the
mechanical properties of historical material and the structural
behavior of riveted connections.
In order to analyze the structural vulnerability and the seismic
capacity of the bridge, three-dimensional finite element models
have been implemented.
1. “Vulnerabilità e tecniche di consolidamento reversibili
per le strutture storiche in carpenteria metallica“ PRIN:
“Salvaguardia e riabilitazione strutturale di edifici storici
mediante tecniche miste reversibili ", years 2005-2007.
2. “Metodologie di analisi per la previsione della risposta
strutturale di manufatti architettonici in carpenteria
metallica“ CNR: “Metodi e modelli predittivi del
comportamento strutturale di manufatti in presenza e
in assenza di danno” according to Legge 449/97,
years 2002-2005.
FRP Reinforcing of Steel Members
Umberto I Gallery, Naples
The use of FRP for strengthening and repairing metal structures is
not developed as in the case of masonry or reinforced concrete
buildings. With regard to steel historic structures, it is interesting to
perform further experimental tests in order to investigate the
effects of the reinforcement on the ductility of the members, on
the possibility to prevent with the FRPs global and local buckling
phenomena in compression elements and to assess their
suitability in the consolidation of connections.
In order to investigate the behaviour of compression iron
elements strengthened with FRP a test campaign has been
undertaken in cooperation with the University of Liege (ULg). The
experimental program included tests on stocky elements with
and without FRP, both in tension and in compression. Also, tests
on slender columns have been performed with and without FRP
so as to investigate the influence of the latter on the buckling
resistance.
1.
PROHITECH (Earthquake Protection of Historical Building
by Reversible Mixed Technologies), in 6th Framework
Program on Research, Technological Development
and Demonstration. European Commission. Contract
number: INCO-CT-2004-509119, WG8 “Numerical
Analysis”, years 2005-2008.
In the last years, the University of Naples promoted many courses and products in the
field of steel structures.
Raffaele Landolfo was the tutor of more than 50 MSc thesis and PhD thesis.
MSc Thesis
PhD Thesis
Second Level Master Courses
Raffaele Landolfo was the tutor of more than 30 BSc +
MSc thesis, at the faculties of Structural Engineering and
Architecture.
Some of them were awarded by ACAI (Association of
Italian Steelwork Producers), and published on a famous
Italian technical review (Costruzioni Metalliche):
Laura Grazia Mariniello
Innovation and Construction: Design of a cfs system for
buildings in seismic zone
ACAI AWARD YEAR 2005-2006
Susanna Trotorelli
Innovative earthquake resisting Techniques for the design
of steel Structures
ACAI AWARD YEAR 2006-2007
Consiglia Mozzillo
Design of a steel pedestrian bridge with a bi-helicoidal
structure
ACAI AWARD YEAR 2007-2008
Gaetano Della Corte - 2001
Seismic stability of elasto-plastic frames
Gianmaria Di Lorenzo - 2002
Theoretical-experimental study of an innovative cold-formed steel
beam
Luigi Fiorino - 2003
Seismic behaviour of sheated cold-formed steel stud shear walls:
an experimental investigation
Mario D’Aniello - 2007
Steel dissipative bracing systems for seismic retrofitting of existing
structures: theory and testing
Maria Rita Guerrieri - 2007
The laser welding as an innovative technology for cold-formed
steel structural systems
Lucrezia Cascini - 2008
Atmospheric corrosion and durability design of metal structures
Manuela Brescia - 2008
Rotation capacity and overstrength of steel members for seismic
design
Ornella Iuorio - 2008
Design procedures for cold-formed steel housing in seismic area

General principles of design and structural types
in steel structures

Stability of steel structures

Design and detailing of connections

Steel and Architecture

Tension Structures and Glass Engineering

Cold-Formed thin-walled members and structures

Steel structures in tall buildings and large
coverings

Design, Fabrication and Erection of Steel Bridges

Composite Structures

Aluminium Structures

Steel in Refurbishment

Masts, Towers, Tanks and Silos

Provisional Structures and Fire Design
The dissemination of the steel Research Activities is traditionally made trough scientific
publications. But many other activities are devoted to promote the use of steelwork in
Italy, trough divulgative publications, training courses for designers and e-learning for
academic teaching.
Academic e-learning
Training Activities for Designers
National and International Publications
The e-learning project “Federica@” is one of the
first web learning projects promoted by the Italian
universities.
The steel topics are present in this context by
means of many structural engineering lessons.
To promote the use of steelwork in Italy the Steel
Research Activities are also advertised in training
courses for Practitioners and Designers.
To promote the use of steelwork in Italy the Steel
Research Activities are published on different
media:

Proceedings of International Conferences

Proceedings of National Conferences

National and International Journals
To promote the use of steelwork in Italy the Steel
Research Activities are published on different
media:

Design Guides for Engineers:
1. De Marco T., Landolfo R., Salvatore W.
Acciai strutturali, prodotti e sistemi di unione
(Ed. Promozione Acciaio, Milano, 2007).
2. De Marco T., Landolfo R., Salvatore W.
Edifici monopiano in acciaio ad uso
industriale (Ed. Promozione Acciaio, Milano,
2007).
3. Ghersi A., Landolfo R., Mazzolani F. M.
Design of metallic cold-formed thin-walled
members (Spon Press, London, 2001).
4. Mazzolani F. M., Landolfo R., Dubina D., Da
Silva S. Design of steel structures for
buildings in seismic areas (next)
To promote the use of steelwork in Italy the Steel
Research Activities are published on different
media:

National Divulgative Reviews
In 2007 Raffaele Landolfo was appointed as Chairman of TC 13, the
Technical Committee n.13 “Seismic Design” of the European
Convention for Constructional Steelwork (ECCS).
TC 13 Activities:

Creation of Technical Working Groups to identify weakness in the European
Codification

Production of Technical Documents addressing these issues with the aim to
contribute to the new generation of codes

Collection of design example from different countries

Creation of the TC13 network of knowledge and background of members by
means of the ECCS web-site

Extension of the network outside Europe promoting and organizing workshop in
cooperation with USA and Japan

Corrections to EC8 in its present format

Proposals for a next generation EC8

Publications of EUROPEAN RECOMMENDATION and DESIGN MANUALS