Master theses

Doing your master thesis with us means studying and developing a theme related to the design of seismic resistant buildings or seismic upgrading of existing buildings. Below is a list of the theses done in the last three years to give an idea of ​​the investigated topics. You can click on the link to display a brief description of the contents of the thesis and the results achieved. The topic of the thesis is chosen from those related to the most advanced research projects in the field of seismic engineering in which we actively participate; e.g., the cycle of ReLUIS research projects and the e-SAFE research project.

To work successfully and effectively on the thesis, it is recommended a good knowledge of the contents of structural design and seismic engineering courses, as well as of the technical regulations on structures. For instance, for students of the Master’s Degree Course in Building Construction and Architectural Engineering, this means having passed the exam of the course of “Structural design of steel and RC structures” and having included the course of “Design of buildings in seismic areas” in the study plan. The program of the latter course, which may be included in the fourth-year study plan, is designed in such a way as to provide the student with the knowledge needed to face the thesis already at the end of the second semester of the fourth-year. This will allow the student to start the thesis in the next September-October to get the degree reasonably within the fifth year.

The best time to apply for the thesis is after the examination of Structural design of steel and RC structures. This will allow the student to discuss and think on the topic of the thesis and to be ready to start as soon as the needed knowledge is learned. Since a good preparation and I would also say “passion” for structural design is essential, it is required to pass the examination of Structural design of steel and RC structures with a grade of 27/30 or higher.

All the theses are designed to complete the knowledge learned by the courses of Structural design of steel and RC structures and Design of buildings in seismic areas with highly professional skills in the field of structural design. The student will face problems related to structural design not studied in university courses. He will start from the study of the literature in the field, will create the tools to face the problem, and will conclude with the preparation of innovative structural solutions. The topic addressed will be specific, but the methodology will be general and will constitute an important asset whenever you will need to face a new problem in your professional activity. The thesis will provide the opportunity to acquire knowledge on advanced software and methodologies in the field of modelling and structural analysis. Programming is a very useful tool in many fields. The student is not required to learn programming but whoever wants to will also be involved in programming.

Master theses (last three years)

Year 2021
129 – Francesca Infantino: Design of internal beam-column joints of seismic-resistant RC framed structures.
128 – Salvatore D’Agata: Influence of the heightwise distribution of stiffnesses on the nonlinear seismic behaviour of frames.
127 – Marco Caragliano: An alternative approach for the design of steel frames with chevron bracings.
126 – Caterina Borzì: Effects of the bidirectional ground motion on the response of RC existing buildings designed according to old seismic codes.
125 – Claudia Strano: Effects of the bidirectional ground motion on the response of RC existing buildings designed for gravity loads only.
124 – Erika Licciardello: A design method for seismic upgrading  of RC buildings by BRBs and steel and exoskeleton.
123 – Silvia Conti – Seismic protection of artworks.
122 – Annalisa Floridia: – Design of seismic upgrading of an existing building with RC framed structure.
121 – Samuele Arena: Assessment of an existing building with RC framed structure.

Year 2020
120 – Fausto L. Musarra: Seismic upgrading  of RC buildings by friction dampers.
119 – Lorenzo Trefiletti: Seismic upgrading of RC buildings by insertion of steel bases lubricated by graphite powder.
118 – Salvo F. La Mastra: A design method for seismic upgrading  of RC buildings by steel and exoskeleton equipped by DYBs.
117 – Giuseppe Gliozzo: Seismic upgrading  of RC buildings by base isolation and sliding systems.
116 – Marco Scalone: Upgrading of seismic performance of RC buldings by CLT panels.
115 – Alessandra Altavilla: Seismic upgrading  of RC buildings by BRBs and steel and exoskeleton.

Year 2019
114 – Diletta Calì: Steel exoskeleton equipped with BRBs for seismic upgrading of RC framed structures.
113 – Lucrezia Pulvino: Seismic upgrading of RC framed structures by friction dampers.
110 – Pietro Campolo: Reliability of design procedures for braced systems in seismic areas.
108 – Veronica Zakher: Base shear capping of buildings by means of combined base isolators and sliders.
107 – Irene Puglisi: Reliability evaluation of the seismic response of steel braced frames.
106 – Claudia Palmeri: Equivalent viscous damping for seismic upgrading of RC buildings by rocking walls.