The course aims at describing the mechanical behaviour of the different classes of materials and at illustrating the inelastic constitutive models, with focus on plasticity, damage, viscoelasticity and viscoplasticity. Specific lectures will be focused on the the fiber-reinforced composite materials, on the structural glass and on the laminated timber. 

After attending the course and after the final examination, the student will:

• know the basic microscopic mechanisms responsible for the ductile, brittle and viscous behaviors shown at the meso-scale by the different classes of materials;
• know and understand the fields of application of the plasticity theory, of the damage mechanics, of viscoelasticity and viscoplasticity;
• know the current research trends in materials design with focus on fiber-reinforced materials, structural glass and structural timber;
• be able to apply the above knowledge to a critical choice of the constitutive laws to be used in numerical analyses beyond the linear elastic limit and to a proper identification of materials parameters; 
• be able to describe and discuss the above topics with a clear and accurate language

 These learning outcomes are expected to provide the student basic knowledge tools necessary for performing future activities aimed at the nonlinear analyses of structures, up to failure. 

Introduction to the mechanics of materials. Class of materials, elastic and inelastic behavior.

Constitutive models and applications. Isotropic and anisotropic elasticity. Visco-elasticity with application to concrete and polymers. Elastoplasticity: micromechanical aspects and phenomenological models, application to metals. Drucker’s stability postulate. Viscoplasticity. Damage mechanics, application to concrete, ceramics and metals.

Statistical theory of the strength of materials.

Criteria for the optimal choice of materials. Material indexes.

Composites materials. Elastic and inelastic behavior of fiber-reinforced materials, theory of laminates.

Structural glued laminated timber (glulam) and structural glass. Mechanical properties and structural applications. (This topic is not treated in the 5CFU version of the course)

Introduction to the use of inelastic models in finite elements analyses.

A background in continuum solid mechanics, in particular in the linear elasticity theory, is required.

See bibliography for suggested books (covering more than the programme of the course). Additional material or lecture notes will be made available by the lecturer.

Grading will be based on a written test with three open questions concerning the basic contents of the course.

The student must be able to clearly describe the inelastic behaviour of materials and to critically discuss the different constitutive models, with the related hypotheses, the critical points, the physical meaning and the mathematical formulation. The student should also be able to support the discussion with significant examples, showing the field of application of the models.

The outcomes of the written test will possibly be followed by a brief oral discussion.