A Fluid-Structure Interaction Tool for the Protection of Clean Energy Production Sites
The project aims to assess the impact of extreme events and marine corrosion on strategic infrastructures by using continuum mechanics to monitor damage and predict structural degradation. The approach combines large‑scale hydrodynamic simulations with high‑resolution local analyses, managing both the far field and the near field to optimize computational resources and accuracy. In parallel, new materials are developed through 3D printing and advanced mathematical models to ensure the safety and resilience of structures operating in harsh environments.
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Who We Are
Andrea Montanino
Former Principal Investigator Currently Associate Professor at Pegaso Telematic University and formerly Researcher at the University of Naples Federico II. He specializes in Computational Mechanics, with a focus on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Fluid‑Structure Interaction (FSI). His research integrates numerical methods for the study of extreme impacts and damage phenomena in solids. He has achieved significant results in coupling numerical strategies—such as the Particle Finite Element Method (PFEM) and the Shallow Water Equations—to simulate coastal risk scenarios and water‑impact events on infrastructures. His models are essential for quantifying water pressures on dams and offshore platforms, enabling the prediction of structural damage evolution under impulsive loads.
Marialaura Di Somma
Current Principal Investigator Researcher and Lecturer at the University of Naples Federico II. Her work focuses on integrated energy systems and the monitoring of infrastructures for energy production. She studies the performance and resilience of strategic structures, with particular attention to the transition toward renewable energy (e.g., offshore wind farms). She has contributed to the development of models for the optimization and control of complex energy systems, integrating structural monitoring with operational management. Her research provides innovative tools to assess the durability and safety of energy facilities exposed to corrosive environments and variable environmental loads, supporting the economic and structural sustainability of critical infrastructures.
Emilio Barchiesi
Associate Professor of Structural Mechanics at the University of Sassari (DADU). His work focuses on discrete micromechanical modeling, homogenization, and the mechanics of mechanical metamaterials. His research explores the nonlinear behavior of complex lattices and the design of materials with tailored mechanical properties. He has developed advanced computational models (Hencky‑type) to simulate the equilibrium and dynamics of lattice metamaterials. His studies have optimized the strength and stability of structures produced through additive manufacturing (3D printing), defining new criteria for transitioning between discrete (microscale) and continuous (macroscale) descriptions of engineering materials.
Victor Eremeyev
Full Professor at the University of Cagliari (DICAAR). He is an internationally recognized figure in solid and continuum mechanics. His work focuses on generalized continuum mechanics (Cosserat models, microstructured materials), shell and plate mechanics, and the mechanics of surfaces and interfaces. He is an expert in phase transitions in solids and the mechanics of metamaterials. He has made fundamental contributions to the mathematical modeling of elastic surfaces and nanostructures. Author of over 200 publications and several monographs widely used as references in shell theory and nonlinear elasticity, his research enables precise predictions of the behavior of materials with defects (cracks, voids) and the design of innovative interfaces for advanced composite materials.
The Research Team
The project involves three universities working synergistically:
UNINA (University of Naples Federico II)
Responsible for the development of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools. It integrates the Shallow Water Equations (for far‑field modeling) with Lagrangian methods (PFEM, for near‑field interaction) to quantify water pressures and chemical actions on structures.
UNISS (University of Sassari)
Focused on discrete micromechanical modeling and nonlinear analysis of complex lattice structures. It develops numerical strategies to simulate the behavior of lattice metamaterials and optimize their structural performance under static and dynamic conditions.
UNICA (University of Cagliari)
Specialized in the design and analysis of microstructured materials and surface effects. Its role includes studying wave propagation, damping properties, and conducting experimental tests (tension, compression, falling‑weight deflectometer tests) to optimize new materials.
The Project
- Project Overview
- Academic References and Published Results
- Practical Applications and Project Impact