The paper focuses on the problem of analysis of masonry structures with spatial geometries, even under the perspective of performing adequate forecasts for design and planning of protection strategies and provisions. In this case an approach is outlined for handling the modelling of the structure without renouncing to the proper nonlinear material assumption, which means overpassing the drastic simplifications and gross schematizations that are usually introduced when dealing with 3D structures made of masonry.

In the paper one proposes the formulation of an approach aimed at effectively designing dynamic control systems for spatial masonry structures. Managing 3D masonry structures for protection purposes with regards to dynamic events is usually handled through drastic simplifications of the original structure or of the nonlinear material behaviour. The proposed approach is aimed at controlling the dynamic vibrations of the spatial structure on the basis of its proper modelling, in such a way to embed in the design process its nonlinearity. The presented algorithm, which is outlined together with some numerical results, is shown to be able to produce significant beneficial effects in terms of response mitigation.

The paper focuses on a number of original researches developed by the authors concerned with the development of new design approaches for smart base isolation systems for structures. Base Isolation (BI) systems represent the first kind of control devices applied to civil structures. In the paper, advancement in technology is exploited in this field, allowing to conceive new BI typologies possibly based on the adoption of special smart materials or on the coupling of the basic passive device with additional corrective devices, in such a way to minimize the disadvantages deriving from the simply passive system. Illustrated procedures also embed in the design pattern of base-isolation systems the interaction effects between structure and soil in order to provide the best tuning of the isolation parameters and to get the maximum performance of the devices, finally summarizing a number of original approaches to design under passive, semi-active and hybrid modes.

This paper is focused on the analysis of an Italian monumental masonry arch bridge in the Campania Region. Starting from a historical survey, the main features of the bridge are recognized, concerning its geometry, materials, and mechanical parameters. Therefore, a 3D model is developed based on these data. The procedure is characterized by two phases aimed at identifying the suitable mesh and selecting the substructures then reassembled together to obtain the entire bridge. The FEM analysis of the structural model shows results in terms of stresses and deformed shapes, emphasizing the global response of the bridge and the contribution of any, both structural and non-structural, component.

In the paper an equilibrium analysis of pin-jointed steel structures is described. The attention is focused on the non-linearity problem that characterizes this type of steel structures under large displacements. A matrix method is developed, starting from a balanced and congruent configuration. Firstly, the analysis is conducted on the single bar; the, the behaviour of the global structure is analysed through the re-assembling and the final non-linear relationships between the variation of loads and the configuration are identified in order to proceed to the iterative solution path.

The mitigation of the structural response under seismic action can be achieved , as well known, by introducing proper variations to the mechanical parameters of the structural system through the recourse to dynamic control strategies.In order to pursue some optimality in the setup of the problem, sometimes it is necessary to tune the coefficients of the motion equation in a measure that might result not compatible with the characteristics of current structural materials, thus pushing towards active control techniques, where the proper selection of the algorithm is of fundamental importance.

In the paper one presents some research developed at the University of Naples in the field of structural dynamic control.The research is mainly focused on the possibility of applying control systems to the protection of existing and masonry constructions through the setup of ad-hoc strategies and devices, which are suitably conceived and designed in order to fit the main characteristics, behavior and collapse modes of the structural components.Rigidfailure modes are referred to, with the articulated model consisting of macro-elements whose motion is activated during the dynamic event.The final task consists of achieving an adequate mitigation of the dynamic effects due to the possible occurrence of earthquakes.The researches involve both theoretical, numerical and experimental features on the topic, including some design issues.

In the paper the performance of ancient masonry vaulted bridges is investigated through the analysis of a study case which is referred to, in the region Campania, that is the Devil‟s bridge on Sele river in Capaccio. The proposed methodological approach is aimed at emphasizing a number of features, including the main vault/fill interaction, the overall cooperation of the structural and non-structural components.