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Selected Papers from the 4th International Conference Steel and Composites...
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Selected Papers from the 4th International Conference Steel and Composites for Engineering Structures (4thICSCES)

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Building Materials, and Repair & Renovation".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2026) | Viewed by 4274

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Gabriele Milani

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering ABC, Politecnico di Milano, Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, 20133 Milan, Italy
Interests: structural analysis; masonry; earthquake engineering; FEM; limit analysis; historical constructions; elastomeric seismic isolators; FRP-FRCM reinforcement; genetic algorithms (GA); homogenisation theory; rubber vulcanisation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Erica Magagnini

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Construction, Civil Engineering and Architecture, Polytechnic University of Marche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
Interests: structural design; masonry; earthquake engineering; FRP-FRCM reinforcement; historical constructions; FEM; dynamic analysis; structural health monitoring; genetic algorithms (GA)
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is with great pleasure that we announce a new Special Issue of Buildings, entitled "Selected Papers from the 4th International Conference Steel and Composites for Engineering Structures (4thICSCES)". 

The 4th International Conference of Steel and Composite for Engineering Structures (4thICSCES) will be held in Piacenza, Italy, on 9-12 July 2025. The conference will be jointly hosted by the Piacenza's Regional Campus Arata of Politecnico di Milano.

This Special Issue features expanded papers invited by the 4th ICSCES organizers, based on selected conference contributions. 

This Special Issue will offer an exceptional multidisciplinary forum where academics and industry researchers can showcase the latest advancements, challenges, and trends in the fields of steel and composites, modeling and simulation, and structural health monitoring for engineering structures. In this Special Issue, researchers will be able to exchange their experiences and research findings through original research articles, case studies, and comprehensive review papers. 

The main topics of this Special Issue cover all aspects related to steel structures and their connections; masonry as a composite material; timber as a composite decking material; composites in geo-materials; FRP in steel repair; corrosion; sustainable steel and composite structures; concrete as a composite material; reinforced asphalts; composite structures in civil engineering; reinforced rubber products; FRP for structural rehabilitation; FRCM/TRM/SRG for structural rehabilitation; laminated composites with uncertainties; natural fiber composites; big data analytics and artificial intelligence; computational fracture mechanics; computer-aided design and manufacturing; inverse problems; performance and optimization; artificial intelligence; homogenization; micro- and macro-modeling; beam, plate, and shell computational models; Finite, Distinct, and Particle Element Methods; composite structure design and application; electro-thermal properties of composites; modeling of sandwich structures; modeling of CNT–polymer composites; analysis of natural fiber composites; probabilistic modeling of composites; control and vibration; NDT for composites; optic fibers in testing and monitoring; health monitoring in existing structures; safety, security, and reliability; the failure of composites; health monitoring techniques in composites; the durability of composite materials; impact problems; inspection techniques for composites; nano-, micro-, and macro-composite stability; variable stiffness composite laminates; functionally graded materials and structures; micromechanics; and the multi-scale modeling of graphene. 

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Journal of Composites Science.

Prof. Dr. Gabriele Milani
Dr. Erica Magagnini
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • steel
  • composite materials
  • modeling
  • simulation
  • structural health monitoring
  • reinforced concrete, masonry
  • experimentation on materials and structures

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 4206 KB  
Article
Aggregated vs. Isolated Seismic Response of a Historic Masonry Compound Before and After Integrated Retrofit Interventions
by Giovanna Longobardi and Antonio Formisano
Buildings 2026, 16(6), 1208; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16061208 - 18 Mar 2026
Viewed by 295
Abstract
The evaluation of the seismic behavior of masonry aggregates, which characterize Italian historic centres, is a challenging and widely debated topic in the field of structural engineering. These constructions, composed of several adjacent structural units, tend to exhibit both global and local damage [...] Read more.
The evaluation of the seismic behavior of masonry aggregates, which characterize Italian historic centres, is a challenging and widely debated topic in the field of structural engineering. These constructions, composed of several adjacent structural units, tend to exhibit both global and local damage when subjected to horizontal seismic actions—loads that were not considered at the time of their original construction. Developed over centuries of unplanned urban growth, they are based on empirical construction rules and locally sourced materials. Due to their poor thermal properties, these buildings are also affected by significant heat losses, resulting in reduced indoor comfort. In this context, the present study aims to evaluate the seismic performance of a masonry aggregate and two of its constituent structural units located in Visso, in the province of Macerata, an area severely affected by the 2016 Central Italy seismic sequence, both before and after the application of an innovative integrated retrofitting solution. The proposed strengthening system combines aluminium alloy exoskeleton with insulating sandwich panels, simultaneously addressing seismic vulnerability and energy inefficiency. The assessment is carried out through numerical analyses, including nonlinear static and dynamic approaches, to achieve a comprehensive understanding of the structural response. Moreover, a comparative analysis between the masonry aggregate and the two individual structural units, modelled as isolated buildings, is performed to investigate the influence of structural interaction among adjacent units. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed retrofitting strategy, highlighting a significant improvement in global stability. Furthermore, the comparison confirms the critical role of inter-unit interaction and underscores the necessity of modelling historic masonry aggregates rather than isolated buildings to obtain a more realistic seismic performance evaluation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the 4th International Conference Steel and Composites for Engineering Structures (4thICSCES))
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26 pages, 7750 KB  
Article
Damaged Masonry Structures: A Probabilistic Approach for Fast Structural Safety Assessment
by Elsa Garavaglia, Giuliana Cardani and Danila Aita
Buildings 2026, 16(5), 938; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16050938 - 27 Feb 2026
Viewed by 391
Abstract
Structural safety assessment of masonry structures is a crucial topic for architectural heritage conservation. Performance indicators are commonly adopted for civil structures and infrastructure made of reinforced/prestressed concrete or steel but are often overlooked in the context of historic structures. Notions such as [...] Read more.
Structural safety assessment of masonry structures is a crucial topic for architectural heritage conservation. Performance indicators are commonly adopted for civil structures and infrastructure made of reinforced/prestressed concrete or steel but are often overlooked in the context of historic structures. Notions such as safety, reliability, robustness, and resilience are accepted concepts in the world of historic buildings, but they rarely translate into quantifiable indicators applicable to structural rehabilitation. The complex mechanical behaviour of masonry, indeed, is affected by uncertainties in the characterization of the material’s properties. Furthermore, when considering damaged masonry structures, uncertainties also include the natural aging and degradation of the component materials. In this context, the proposed research intends to perform a preliminary safety assessment of a masonry building subjected to seismic loads considering a given damage level and its evolution over time. Damage is described by means of a performance parameter that is able to capture the decrease in the characteristic compressive strength related to the presence of a crack pattern and changes in the live loads. The method allows one to address in a probabilistic way the determination of a limit global safety factor, affected by this parameter, and of the time required to attain the failure condition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the 4th International Conference Steel and Composites for Engineering Structures (4thICSCES))
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16 pages, 10205 KB  
Article
Sparse Auto-Encoder Networks to Detect and Localize Structural Changes in Metallic Bridges
by Marco Pirrò and Carmelo Gentile
Buildings 2026, 16(4), 802; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16040802 - 15 Feb 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1245
Abstract
The application of vibration monitoring integrated with sparse Auto-Encoder (SAE) networks is investigated in this paper with the objective of detecting and localizing structural anomalies or damages. Unlike previous studies on SAE networks, the methodology proposed is based on the definition of a [...] Read more.
The application of vibration monitoring integrated with sparse Auto-Encoder (SAE) networks is investigated in this paper with the objective of detecting and localizing structural anomalies or damages. Unlike previous studies on SAE networks, the methodology proposed is based on the definition of a single SAE model, trained with the signals simultaneously collected from several sensors. Once the SAE has been trained using measurements that represent the baseline (undamaged) condition of the structure, the network is likely to reconstruct well newly collected data if the structure maintains its intact condition. When damage or structural degradation processes start developing, an increase in the reconstruction error—defined as the residual between the original input and the reconstructed output—has to be expected, so that a deviation from the normal state is highlighted. Moreover, this rise in reconstruction errors is typically more significant near the damaged areas, allowing for precise localization of the affected zones. The performance and robustness of the proposed approach are illustrated and validated using experimental data from two real-world bridge structures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the 4th International Conference Steel and Composites for Engineering Structures (4thICSCES))
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17 pages, 6451 KB  
Article
Seismic Performance of a Hybrid Timber–Aluminium Exoskeleton for Retrofitting RC Buildings: Experimental Results from the ERIES-RESUME Project
by Antonio Formisano, Aleksandra Bogdanovic, Antonio Shoklarovski, Marco Domaneschi, Emilia Meglio, Julijana Bojadjieva, Zoran Rakicevic, Vlatko Sesov, Filip Manojlovski, Angela Poposka, Toni Kitanovski, Dejan Ivanovski, Raffaele Cucuzza, Valentina Villa and Giuseppe Carlo Marano
Buildings 2026, 16(1), 73; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16010073 - 24 Dec 2025
Viewed by 889
Abstract
This paper presents the outcomes of an extensive experimental investigation on the seismic performance of an innovative exoskeleton retrofitting system, developed as part of the ERIES-RESUME project. The proposed system integrates laminated timber and aluminium components to enhance the structural resilience of existing [...] Read more.
This paper presents the outcomes of an extensive experimental investigation on the seismic performance of an innovative exoskeleton retrofitting system, developed as part of the ERIES-RESUME project. The proposed system integrates laminated timber and aluminium components to enhance the structural resilience of existing reinforced concrete (RC) buildings, while also offering the potential for thermal upgrading. Two identical 1:3 scale RC models, representing typical non-ductile structures, were tested on a shaking table at the IZIIS Laboratory of the Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Engineering Seismology in Skopje. The first model, initially unstrengthened, was subjected to seismic loads until significant structural and infill-wall damage was reached. Following appropriate repairs, the exoskeleton was applied, and the model was retested. The second model was equipped with an exoskeleton from the outset. Test results demonstrate significant improvements in seismic performance, including increased stiffness, reduced interstory drifts, reduced acceleration amplification, and reduced infill wall damage. The study confirms the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed exoskeleton system as a practical solution for retrofitting vulnerable reinforced concrete buildings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the 4th International Conference Steel and Composites for Engineering Structures (4thICSCES))
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20 pages, 8879 KB  
Article
Parametric Modelling and Nonlinear FE Analysis of Trepponti Bridge Subjected to Differential Settlements
by Giovanni Meloni, Mohammad Pourfouladi and Natalia Pingaro
Buildings 2026, 16(1), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16010047 - 22 Dec 2025
Viewed by 498
Abstract
The Trepponti bridge in Comacchio (Italy) is a significant masonry landmark characterised by a complex geometry. Its structure comprises five irregularly connected segments, creating pronounced geometric discontinuities. Accurately modelling this configuration is challenging due to the highly complex mechanical behaviour of masonry. This [...] Read more.
The Trepponti bridge in Comacchio (Italy) is a significant masonry landmark characterised by a complex geometry. Its structure comprises five irregularly connected segments, creating pronounced geometric discontinuities. Accurately modelling this configuration is challenging due to the highly complex mechanical behaviour of masonry. This study presents a robust computational strategy for the nonlinear structural assessment of such heritage bridges. The methodology integrates a parametric meshing environment (PoliBrick plugin) with nonlinear finite-element analysis in Straus7. An initial discretisation is generated through PoliBrick, undergoes geometric optimisation to produce an analysis-ready model. The bridge is homogeneously modelled and meshed through macro-blocks obeying a Mohr–Coulomb failure criterion. Material parameters are defined according to the LC1 knowledge level stipulated by the Italian structural code. Differential settlement scenarios are simulated by imposing controlled vertical displacements on individual and paired piers. This approach enables evaluation of structural displacement, stress distribution, and crack propagation. The analyses reveal a markedly asymmetric structural response, identifying two specific piers as critical vulnerable elements. The proposed framework demonstrates that parametric meshing effectively reconciles accurate geometric representation with computational efficiency. It offers a practical tool for guiding the conservation and safety evaluation of irregular vaulted masonry bridges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the 4th International Conference Steel and Composites for Engineering Structures (4thICSCES))
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Review

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34 pages, 7440 KB  
Review
Seismic Vulnerability of Masonry Minarets: State of the Art and Fast Assessment via Limit Analysis
by Sare Nur Avcı, Gabriele Milani and Marco Vincenzo Valente
Buildings 2026, 16(8), 1515; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings16081515 - 13 Apr 2026
Viewed by 419
Abstract
Masonry minarets constitute an important component of Islamic architectural heritage. Beyond their religious function, they stand as social and cultural landmarks reflecting the diversity of architectural styles and building techniques of the regions in which they are located. Historical minarets have demonstrated remarkable [...] Read more.
Masonry minarets constitute an important component of Islamic architectural heritage. Beyond their religious function, they stand as social and cultural landmarks reflecting the diversity of architectural styles and building techniques of the regions in which they are located. Historical minarets have demonstrated remarkable resilience against environmental degradation and aging; however, in seismically active regions, earthquakes pose a major threat to their integrity. Due to their slender geometry and material characteristics, these structures are particularly vulnerable to seismic effects. Many historical records document that minarets have suffered severe damage and collapse during earthquakes. This study presents a state-of-the-art review of seismic vulnerability assessments of masonry minarets. It concentrates on Southwest Asia and the Mediterranean, regions that are characterized by high seismic risk and a rich inventory of this structural typology. Currently employed approaches to the seismic analysis of minarets typically require substantial computational resources and expertise. Recognizing the need for rapid and accessible methodologies in place of them, this study proposes a Kinematic Limit Analysis framework that is suitable for fast vulnerability assessment of large-scale building stocks. This allows for the most critical structures to be identified for further scrutiny using more sophisticated approaches. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the 4th International Conference Steel and Composites for Engineering Structures (4thICSCES))
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