Mechanical and Thermal Measurements
Research focus
The Peer review has evaluated this group as Excellent
MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS AND PROCEDURES Flowmeters - Researches on the application of the EU directives concerning the measuring instruments proved that, due to the interaction between factors now evaluated only separately, the measurement errors of CE-marked instruments can significantly exceed the allowed limits. Hand-arm vibrations - The wide spreading of measured values has been analysed; modifications of measurement procedures have been proposed to achieve repeatability enhancements. SOUND/VIBRATIONS MEASUREMENTS Some researches deal with vibrations measurement, where specific expertises are required. Sound source localization - Advanced volume intensimetry, beamforming, holography, Helmotz Equation Least Squares techniques and their metrological characterization are the main topics; in detail: - comparison of the existing algorithms and development of new ones; - combined use of different techniques in the same setup; - introduction of a new 3D intensity probe. Sound attenuation - Measurement tools to develop acoustics barriers (arrays of microphones and loudspeakers); smart materials for noise control in cars and trains. STRUCTURAL MONITORING The group has developed skills in difficult-to-perform and in long-term monitoring. Transportation - Experimental and theoretical activities in the development of: - measurement systems and data analysis algorithms for quick rail inspection to develop more effective track maintenance strategies. - pantograph-catenary interaction analysis to guarantee reliability of the current collection, considering mechanical, aerodynamic and electrical aspects; - an innovative test-rig for the evaluation of the performances of collector strips; - innovative transducers based on fiber optic sensors to reduce the load effects on the collectors and the electro-magnetic interferences; - intelligent tyres to insert smart sensors inside the tyres. Flow-structure interaction – Researches are focused on the experimental activities without neglecting any modelling aspect: - aerodynamics of long-span suspension bridges in smooth and turbulent flow; - base and applied researches on wind–induced vibrations for transmission lines; - base researches on the flow-cylinders interaction. Large structure monitoring - The group has an historical tradition in structures monitoring: Humber Bridge (UK), S.Siro stadium (Milan) [MTM-RP-10], Punta Faro towers (Messina Straits), Duomo of Monza (Milan), Torrazzo of Cremona. Main topics: - researches on design and implementation of automatic systems for continuous monitoring of various parameters; - development and validation of techniques for structural safety assessment; - studies on different modal analysis techniques to identify the structure parameters and their evolution in time; numerical simulation of damage effects; experimental validation of the results. - studies on people-structure interaction and serviceability assessment of stadia structures during public events (collaboration with many universities abroad, mainly Sheffield UK). VISION The development of vision-based measurement techniques is devoted to define the uncertainty of non-contact measurement techniques and to define new image processing techniques. Some researches are being carried out in cooperation with the Danish Technical University (DK) and the Imperial College London (UK). Applied research includes: - development of vision devices to measure 3D anthropometric data for the personal identification (a part of the results is patented and has led to the spin-off company “ISS Innovative Security Solutions”); an agreement with LABANOF - Laboratory for Forensic Anthropology and Odontology - is helping this research; - estimation of the motion of people on stadia stands to define the peopleinduced structure excitation; - customization and application of vision techniques in a sensor fusion approach to improve diagnosis efficiency; to register the position of patients in neuro surgery (cooperation with Besta Hospital, Milan); to automatically move ophthalmic microscopes to track the eye position during surgery (cooperation with University of Rome) and to analyze the stability of intraocular lenses after implant (cooperation with the Hospital of Piacenza and Bausch&Lomb). MEASUREMENTS FOR SPACE The activities are both on the side of the measurement data analysis/correction and on the instruments design. Dynamic errors in atmospheric temperature measurements have been analysed and correction techniques implemented; The mechanical disturbances on Fourier spectrometers have been analysed and the diagnostic and correction techniques evaluated. The group has contributed to develop various instruments mostly optical/nearinfrared systems, all for ESA missions, PFS for MarsExpress and VenusExpress, VIRTIS for VenusExpress, currently the design of a new miniature FTIR spectrometer is being carried-out. MEASUREMENTS FOR REHABILITATION The researches are about sensors and measurement techniques in order to improve the existing devices, to design new ones (robot for the rehabilitation patented) and to define their metrological features.
Dipartimento di afferenza
Docenti afferenti
Full Professors
Marco Bocciolone
Alfredo Cigada
Michele Gasparetto
Associate Professors
Alessandra Manenti
Giovanni Moschioni
Bortolino Saggin
Assistant Professors
Remo Sala
Marcello Vanali
Emanuele Zappa