Interdisciplinary contribution to the protection plan of the fortified old town of Cagliari (ITALY)

The present article illustrates an interdisciplinary methodology for the protection of fortified old towns and the management of their possible future transformation. Specifically, the study has developed a process of investigation to support the identification, assessment and conservation of material evidences related to the urban walls inside old towns. The disciplinary fields involved in the research are mainly history, drawing and restoration, supported by diagnostics on materials and structures, urban planning and sustainable design. The testing area is the walled city of Cagliari, a typical Mediterranean fortified settlement, highly stratified with a wide chronology of structures and interesting military constructive techniques. The research develops a working structure for the reasoned collection of contributions belonging from different disciplinary fields. The complex set of information implements a detailed knowledge plan conceived as a vulnerable risk map. Landscape and visual perceptions of the surrounding environment are also considered. The complex mosaic of interdisciplinary knowledge has been the basis for the proposal of effective policies for protection in order to forecast, guide and control possible transformative scenarios. Contemporarily, the management plan includes some strategic actions for the fruition and enhancement of the walled perimeter, such as new touristic paths or entertainment and sporting areas. Criteria and methodology resulting from this article seem to be easily applicable to other contexts, especially in the Mediterranean settlements

Application of Pulsed Thermography and Post-processing Techniques for CFRP Industrial Components

AbstractSeveral studies demonstrate the effectiveness of pulsed thermography for detection and visualization of sub-superficial flaws in composites. Continuous improvement of thermal data manipulation makes active thermography an attractive and powerful inspection method for industrial process control and maintenance aims. Therefore, temperature image-processing is the major ongoing challenge in the thermographic research field. However, the particular interest for thermographic inspections is to be more addressed to its simple and relatively fast industrial application; an appropriate image processing tool should be implemented and verified on industrial components, containing manufacturing and in-service defects. In the proposed research, well-established and previously proposed methods were analysed and compared for different defect typology inside three CFRP components. The main goal is not solely focused on establishing the suitable data processing approach, providing detection limits of processed data in terms of damage type, size and distribution. The aim of proposed work is to present detailed examples of thermal imaging methods applied on similar critical defects, evaluating different results among methods in terms of defects mapping capabilities and Tanimoto evaluation criterion, coupled also with the signal-to-noise ratio as assessment of defect detectability

Between scientific rigor and perceptive component. Representing the landscape of the “royal salt works” of Cagliari in the 19th century (Sardinia, Italy)

The case study is part of a research that analyzes the potentiality of historical maps as a tool to support the knowledge and protection of the landscape. The main interest of this article is to highlight data qualities and communicative capacities of 19th century cartography of Sardinia also in relation to the current state of the art. The drawing of landscape and territory at this time shows an interesting ability to combine scientific rigor and perceptive component that will have its maximum expression in 1845 with the work of the general Alberto Ferrero Della Marmora. Starting from a critical analysis of the archive documents, the methodology adopted in this case study needs the drawing/design of a geo-referenced database aimed at a comparison between historical maps and the series of aerial surveys made available by Cartography Service of the Sardinia Region. The subject of this analysis are some interesting drawings that describe the system of “Royal salt works” of Cagliari designed by Piedmontese government in the first half of the nineteenth century, surveyed and represented by military officers. The territorial data recorded in the examined maps shows an interesting compatibility with the most recent acquisitions and allows a diachronic analysis of the transformations. To this end – putting together the high precision of current survey and representation methods with information and immediacy of historical cartographic production - the drawings are analyzed, elaborated and “communicated” through graphics models able to express by signs the complexity of a stratified landscape

damage investigation of aeronautical cfrp laminates under bearing tests

Abstract The use of mechanical fasteners is still main assembling method for CFRP sub-structures in aircrafts and helicopters. However, this type of joint introduces complex stress field in the hole surroundings producing failures risk. In this work, a progressive damage 3D model of the riveted joint has been implemented to predict the residual strength and compliance after first damage signs and reproduce the final failure of composite joints under tensile test. Two 3D FEM Models were used and results are compared to experimental tests. The junction stiffness under load was evaluated and preliminary analysis shows both the coefficient of friction and preload induce not significant alteration of the composite joint behaviour. On refined model, a 3D Hashin-type failure criterion was used to analyze damage of matrix and fibers, beginning in the hole where contact conditions with the bolt pin and head are more severe and is evenly distributed in various plies, leading to final rupture of second or third one. Successively, delaminations were introduced with cohesive model, since is considered to produce reliable results, because the initial compression collapse in critical layers in contact with rivet is proved to affect shear and compression load transfer to other layers, giving rise to localized internal delaminations, propagating successively in width

optimization and comparison of ultrasonic techniques for ndt control of composite material elements

Abstract This work contains an overview of innovative procedures related to the optimization of non-destructive control ultrasonic techniques for defect investigation on composite plates. The inspection procedure improvement allows developing ideal ultrasonic setup and methods, giving the operator appropriate criteria and guidelines in terms of equipment, material and control procedures. Ultrasonic inspections are conducted on different GFRP laminates with artificial defects; tests are improved using special parts designed for probe positioning and contact conditions on inspected components. The data processing of UT procedures allows comparing detection sensitivity of different probe frequencies and plate material behavior. Contact ultrasonic method presents best results for GFRP plates using 1 MHz Olympus A103S probe, detecting small defects with maximum signal amplitudes. Finally, a statistical study is performed for repeatability demonstration of UT inspections

Neurological assessment of newborns with spinal muscular atrophy identified through neonatal screening

The possibility to identify patients with spinal muscular atrophy through neonatal screenings has highlighted the need for clinical assessments that may systematically evaluate the possible presence of early neurological signs. The aim of this study was to use the Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination (HNNE) and a module specifically designed for floppy infants to assess the possible variability of neurological findings in infants identified through neonatal screening. The infants included in this study were identified as part of a pilot study exploring neonatal screening in two Italian regions. A neurological examination was performed using the HNNE and an additional module developed for the assessment of floppy infants. Seventeen infants were identified through the screening. One patient had 1 SMN2 copy, 9 had 2 copies, 3 had 3, and 4 had more than 3 copies. Nine of the 17 infants (53%) had completely normal results on both scales, 3 had minimal signs, and the other 5 had more obvious clinical signs. The number of SMN2 copies was related to the presence of abnormal neurological signs (p = 0.036) but two SMN2 copies were associated with variable clinical signs as they were found in some infants with respectively normal examination or obvious severe early signs. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the combination of both scales increases the possibility to detect neonatal neurological signs and to define different early patterns of involvement also identifying paucisymptomatic patients.What is Known:• The use of new therapeutic options in presymptomatic SMA patients leads to a dramatic reduction of the onset and severity of the diesease.• The already existing tools commonly used in Type I SMA (HINE and CHOP-intend) may not be suitable to identify minor neurological signs in the neonatal period.What is New:• Combining the HNNE and the floppy infant module, we were able to identify early neurological signs in SMA infants identified through newborn screening and may help to predict the individual therapeutic outcome of these patients.• Iinfants with 2 SMN2 copies identified through the screening had a more variable neonatal examination compared to those with three or more copies, in agreement with similar findings in older infants

I disegni di Rocco Capellino per le città di Oristano e Sassari

From the middle of the sixteenth century Rocco Capellino, a military engineer from Cremona, draws the project for the improvement of the city walls of Cagliari, Alghero, Sassari and Oristano. His work, however, was considered by the official history of a second level in respect to the measures which later will realize in Island the Paleari brothers. The graphical analysis of archival documents, however, shows a correct design approach set to use the existing towers like landmark, from which observe and measure the city and carry on with pointing the compass and draw according to modern models and rules indicated by the cross-fire of the artillery. This capacity, already found in the design for Alghero and Cagliari, is highlighted in this contribution through the graphical analysis of some unrealized projects for the cities of Oristano and Sassari

Il disegno dei baluardi cinquecenteschi nell’opera dei fratelli Palearo Fratino. La piazzaforte di Alghero.

The research analyzes the design of the bulwarks in the work of the Palearo Fratino brothers, military engineers in the service of Spain in the second half of the sixteenth century and is structured in three main phases: the first, studies the design of the sixteenth century fortifications, the second examines the work of Jacopo and Giorgio Palearo in the Mediterranean area and especially in Sardinia from 1563 to 1578, while the third proposed (through the use of results of the first two phases and the support of post-medieval archaeological research) digital models of projects and of the existing structures in the stronghold of Alghero. The method of research adopted find in the graphical analysis a tool able to support historical and archaeological investigation. The study of the military treatise is focused in particular to “Della fortificatione delle città” of Maggi and Castriotto, painted in the 1564, and cited by Jacopo Palearo as a reference text in the design of the bulwarks of Cagliari. Projects analysis and survey of some sections of representative works, has identified a repertoire that highlighted the use of Maggi and Castriotto’s treaty to confirm what El fratin said and reported in the historical documents. The results finally obtained through the research allows a better understanding of the design of military engineers and of the project activity of the Palearo Fratino brothers, that use particular attention to acompagnar las obras con la naturaleza del sitio

L’opera dei fratelli Palearo Fratino ad Alghero. Le tracce del baluardo di Montalbano: l’ipotesi ricostruttiva

Il presente contributo illustra alcuni risultati provenienti da un dottorato di ricerca che ha analizzato il disegno dei baluardi cinquecenteschi nell’opera dei fratelli Palearo Fratino, ingegneri militari al servizio della Corona di Spagna nella seconda metà del XVI secolo. Il percorso di studio ha affrontato l’analisi dei trattati di ingegneria militare del Cinquecento (in particolare l’opera del Maggi e Castriotto), l’attività progettuale dei Palearo nel Mediterraneo e con il supporto dei dati provenienti dalle recenti ricerche di archeologia postmedievale, ha proposto l’elaborazione di alcuni modelli digitali di opere progettate e non realizzate o non più esistenti. Alghero, città regia della Sardegna nord-occidentale conserva parte delle fortificazioni “alla moderna” realizzate nel Cinquecento dai Re Spagnoli ed offre, grazie alla documentazione d’archivio ed ai recenti ritrovamenti, la possibilità di applicazione della linea di ricerca adottata nel corso del dottorato

Determinanti fisiche e antropiche del paesaggio: il disegno del territorio della Planargia.

Il territorio della Planargia lungo la costa nord occidentale della Sardegna, custodisce un raro esempio di varietà di paesaggi, da quello costiero a quello montano, da quello fluviale al quello d’altopiano. Tali ambiti da sempre legati storicamente, con Bosa, città regia in epoca spagnola, fulcro di tale sistema e sede di un porto fluviale, sono racchiusi a nord dai rilievi in direzione Montresta ed a sud dal corso del rio Mannu. Verso l’interno, il paesaggio muta divenendo quello dell’altopiano basaltico. Il passaggio tra i diversi ambiti è peraltro graduale, con le colline terrazzate che caratterizzano la valle di Modolo, a far da intermediarie tra la dorsale trachitica a sud di Bosa e la corona dei centri che si affacciano sul bordo dell’altopiano. Quello costiero è un paesaggio dai tagli netti, con scarpate esposte ai venti di maestrale, ed ai venti di sud-ovest, lungo il quale emergono come segni forti le imponenti cinquecentesche torri d’avvistamento. L’entroterra risulta costituito da diverse aree omogenee, definite da limiti geografici quali i bacini idrografici del fiume Temo e del rio Turas, il bordo dell’altopiano e la montagna e antropici quali il sistema dei centri abitati, connessi da una fitta rete di collegamenti, che si addensa lungo la linea di comunicazione nord-sud. La definizione delle linee di confine fra le diverse aree omogenee nasce dall’indagine grafica che evidenziando le determinanti fisiche attraverso il segno, esprime e racconta con immediatezza gli aspetti del territorio nella sua specificità e globalità