Mathematical Methods and Models for Engineering

Teaching activities

The aim of the programme is to deepen the knowledge of the students in the following areas of mathematics and engineering: partial differential equations in fluid dynamics, in the mechanics of solid, numerical methods per partial differential equations, calculus of variations, control theory, variational formulations of problems in engineering, scaling effects in metal plasticity, mechanics of fractures, homogenization of composite materials. The educational activity is to be decided for each student in collaboration with the supervisor. This activity will be complemented by participation in schools, conferences, workshops etc.

Research activities

Each PhD student will become a member of one of the research groups of the department, and will contribute to its research activity. Moreover, each PhD student is supposed to spend at least one semester abroad. During this period the student will proceed with the research in collaboration with foreign universities.Teaching activities.

Academic Disciplines

CEAR-06/A (formerly ICAR/08) – Solid and Structural Mechanics
MATH-03/A (formerly MAT/05) – Mathematical Analysis
MATH-04/A (formerly MAT/07) – Mathematical Phisics
MATH-05/A (formerly MAT/08) – Numerical Analysis

Main Advisor

Prof. Hynek Kovarik

Program Assistant

Prof. Hynek Kovarik

Current PhD Students

List of international publications of DICACIM PhDs limited to the three-year period following the title

  • Arrica M., Cabras L., Serpelloni M., Bonanno C., McMeeking R.M.Salvadori A., (2023) A coupled model of transport-reaction-mechanics with trapping, Part II: Large strain analysis, Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, Volume 181, 105425
  • Bonanno C.,  Serpelloni M.,Arrica M., McMeeking R.M.Salvadori A., (2023), Actin based motility unveiled: How chemical energy is converted into motion, Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, Volume 175, 105273
  • Leronni, A., Deshpande, V.S., Fleck, N.A., (2024). Size effects in a power law creeping layer under compression or shear, and implications for deformation mechanisms of lithium films, Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids 183, 105505, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmps.2023.105505
  • Leronni, A., Fleck, N.A., (2023). Delamination growth of a sandwich layer by diffusion of a corrosive species, Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids 172, 105179, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmps.2022.105179
  • Bardella, L., Volpini, V., Gei, M., (2022). On the effect of the volumetric deformation in soft dielectric composites with high phase contrast, Journal of Elasticity 148/2, 167-198, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10659-022-09891-7
  • Leronni, A., (2022). Modeling the electrochemo-poromechanics of ionic polymer metal composites and cell clusters, Book published in “Springer Theses – Recognizing Outstanding Ph.D. Research”, http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-92276-4
  • Leronni, A., Fleck, N.A., (2022). Delamination of a sandwich layer by diffusion of a corrosive species: Initiation of growth, Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids 160, 104775, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmps.2021.104775
  • Signorini, C., Sola, A., Chakraborty, S., Volpini, V., (2022). New frontiers in cementitious and lime-based materials and composites, Crystals 12 (1), 61, https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst12010061 
  • Volpini, V., Giubilini, A., Corsi, L., Nobili, A., Bondioli, F., (2022). Characterization of biocompatible scaffolds manufactured by fused filament fabrication of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate), Royal Society Open Science 9/4, 211485, https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.211485
  • Sorzia, A., Signorini, C., Volpini, V., Di Maida, P., (2022). Analytical approach for modelling the pull-out mechanism of recycled synthetic fibres in fibre-reinforced concrete (FRC), Key Engineering Materials919, 35-46, https://doi.org/10.4028/p-4k539k
  • Volpini, V., Pianesi, M.S., (2022). Characterisation of Recycled Quarzitic and Plastic Aggregates for Sustainable Lightweight Screeds, Key Engineering Materials 919, 28-34, https://doi.org/10.4028/p-rf17nl
  • Signorini, C., Marinelli, S., Volpini, V.,Nobili, A., Radi, E., Rimini, B., (2022). Performance of concrete reinforced with synthetic fibres obtained from recycling end-of-life sport pitches, Journal of Building Engineering 53, 104522, https://doi.org/10.1002/masy.202100283
  • Serpelloni M., Arrica M., Bonanno C., Salvadori A., (2022), Chemo-transport-mechanics in advecting membranes, International Journal of Engineering Science, Volume 181, 103746
  • Serpelloni M., Arrica M., Bonanno C., Salvadori A., (2021), Modeling cells spreading, motility, and receptors dynamics: a general framework, ,  Acta Mechanica Sinica Lixue Xuebao, Volume 37, pp. 1013–1030. 
  • Volpini, V., Bardella, L., (2021). Asymptotic analysis of compression sensing in ionic polymer metal composites: the role of interphase regions with variable properties, Mathematics in Engineering 3/2, 1-31, https://doi.org/10.3934/mine.2021014
  • Nobili, A., Volpini, V., Signorini, C., (2021). Antiplane Stoneley waves propagating at the interface between two couple stress elastic materials, Acta Mechanica 232/3, 1207-1225, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00707-020-02909-y
  • Signorini, C., Volpini, V., (2021). Mechanical performance of fiber reinforced cement composites including fully-recycled plastic fibers, Fibers 9/3, 16, https://doi.org/10.3390/fib9030016
  • Nobili, A., Volpini, V., (2021). Microstructured induced band pattern in Love wave propagation for novel nondestructive testing (NDT) procedures, International Journal of Engineering Science 168, 103545, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijengsci.2021.103545
  • Leronni, A., Bardella, L., (2021). Modeling actuation and sensing in ionic polymer metal composites by electrochemo-poromechanics. Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids 148, 104292  (22 pages), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmps.2021.104292
  • Leronni, A., (2021). Modeling the mechanobioelectricity of cell clusters, Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology 20/2, 535-554, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10237-020-01399-0
  • Magri M., Lucarini S., Lemoine G., Adam L., Segurado J. (2021), An FFT framework for simulating non-local ductile failure in heterogeneous materials, Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, Volume 380, 113759
  • Magri M., Lemoine G., Adam L., Segurado J. (2020),  A coupled model of diffusional creep of polycrystalline solids based on climb of dislocations at grain boundaries. Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, Volume 135, 103786
  • Leronni, A., Bardella, L., Dorfmann, L., Pietak, A., Levin, M., (2020). On the coupling of mechanics with bioelectricity and its role in morphogenesis, Journal of the Royal Society Interface 17/167, 20200177 (12 pages), https://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2020.0177
  • Volpini, V., Bardella, L., Gei, M., (2019). A note on the solution of the electro-elastic boundary-value problem for rank-two laminates at finite strains. Meccanica 54/13, 1971-1982 Special Issue “Mechanics of Extreme Materials”, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11012-019-00974-9
  • Leronni A., Bardella L., (2019). Influence of shear on the sensing of ionic polymer metal composites, European Journal of Mechanics A/Solids 77, 103750 (17 pages), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euromechsol.2019.02.016
  • Salvadori A.,  McMeeking R., Grazioli D., Magri M., (2018), A coupled model of transport-reaction-mechanics with trapping. Part I – Small strain analysis, Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, Volume 114 pp. 1–30.