Gennaro Senatore
Scientist
gennaro.senatore@epfl.ch +41 21 693 63 06 https://www.gennarosenatore.com
EPFL ENAC IIC IMAC
GC G1 517 (Bâtiment GC)
Station 18
CH-1015 Lausanne
Web site: Web site: https://imac.epfl.ch/
Fields of expertise
Design of Adaptive Structures
Active Structural Control
Computational Geometry
Structural Optimization
Algorithmic Modelling
Biography
EngD MRes MSc MEng (Hons)
I am a scientist and engineer specialized in computational structural mechanics, structural optimization and form-finding. My expertise includes computer-aided design, algorithmic modelling and generative design. I am currently a postdoctoral scientist at Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL). I previously worked as a postdoctoral scientist at University College London and as the Head of computational design & research at London based practice Expedition Engineering.
I developed new integrated design and control methods for smart structures that counteract the effect of loads actively through sensing and actuation. The Adaptive Structures produced by this method have a low environmental impact, they can be extremely slender and at the same time deflections can be controlled within tights limits. This is particularly beneficial to stiffness governed designs including high-rise buildings, self-supporting roof systems and bridges. These methods have been successfully tested experimentally validating key assumptions and numerical predictions. My work on adaptive structures has been exhibited internationally.
I also developed an interactive physics engine software to aid teaching in structural mechanics and structural design. The model, a vector-form finite element method which combines dynamic relaxation with the co-rotational formulation, can simulate structures with non-linear geometric behavior and perform shape optimization in real-time. The software, called PushMePullMe, has been adopted worldwide.
I hold an Engineering Doctorate (EngD) from University College London. Previously, I was awarded with distinction an MSc in Computing and Design at the School of Architecture, Computing and Civil Engineering of University of East London in 2009 and an MSc in Emergent Technologies at the Architectural Association (London, UK) in 2008. I graduated in mechanical engineering MEng (Hons) at Federico II University (Naples, Italy) in 2006.
Publications
Infoscience publications
Infoscience
2020
Journal Articles
Minimum energy adaptive structures – All-In-One problem formulation
Computers & Structures. 2020-08-01. Vol. 236, p. 106266.
DOI : 10.1016/j.compstruc.2020.106266.
Force and Shape Control Strategies for Minimum Energy Adaptive Structures
Frontiers in Built Environment. 2020-07-22. Vol. 6.
DOI : 10.3389/fbuil.2020.00105.
Optimum design of frame structures from a stock of reclaimed elements
Frontiers in Built Environment. 2020-05-27. Vol. 6, num. 57, p. 1-18.
DOI : 10.3389/fbuil.2020.00057.
Extended Integrated Force Method for the analysis of prestress-stable statically and kinematically indeterminate structures
International Journal of Solids and Structures. 2020.
DOI : 10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2020.05.029.
Environmental impact minimization of reticular structures made of reused and new elements through Life Cycle Assessment and Mixed-Integer Linear Programming
Energy and Buildings. 2020. Vol. 215, p. 109827.
DOI : 10.1016/j.enbuild.2020.109827.
A proof of equivalence of two force methods for active structural control
Mechanics Research Communications. 2020.
DOI : 10.1016/j.mechrescom.2019.103465.
Design of structures that adapt to loads through large shape changes
The Journal of Structural Engineering (ASCE). 2020. Vol. 146, num. 5.
DOI : 10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0002604.
Student Projects
Interactive Real-time Structural Modelling - Solids
2020-01-23.
2019
Journal Articles
Design and characterization of variable stiffness structural joints
Materials & Design. 2019-11-18. p. 108353.
DOI : 10.1016/j.matdes.2019.108353.
Synthesis of minimum energy adaptive structures
Structural and Multidisciplinary Optimization. 2019-03-28. Vol. 60, num. 3, p. 849-877.
DOI : 10.1007/s00158-019-02224-8.
Structural Adaptation through Stiffness Tuning
Spool. 2019. Vol. 6, num. 1, p. 43-48.
DOI : 10.7480/SPOOL.2019.1.3892.
Form follows availability - Designing structures through reuse
Journal of the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures. 2019. Vol. 60, num. 4, p. 257-265.
DOI : 10.20898/j.iass.2019.202.033.
Experimental Testing of a Small-Scale Truss Beam That Adapts to Loads Through Large Shape Changes
Frontiers in Built Environment. 2019. Vol. 5.
DOI : 10.3389/fbuil.2019.00093.
Design of Truss Structures Through Reuse
Structures. 2019. Vol. 18, p. 128-137.
DOI : 10.1016/j.istruc.2018.11.006.
Conference Papers
Form follows availability – Designing structures through reuse
Form and Force. 2019-10-07. 60th-Anniversary Symposium of the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures , Barcelona , October 7-10, 2019. p. 2941-2949.
Characterization of variable stiffness joints for adaptive structures
Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation (SEMC 2019). 2019-08-21. Advances in Engineering Materials, Structures and Systems: Innovations, Mechanics and Applications , Cape Town, South Africa , September 2-4, 2019.
Structures that adapt to loads through large shape changes: design and optimization
Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation (SEMC 2019). 2019-08-21. Advances in Engineering Materials, Structures and Systems: Innovations, Mechanics and Applications , Cape Town , September 2-4, 2019.
Exploration of spatial structures made from reused elements and the design of optimal kits-of-parts
Structures and Architecture. 2019-07-24. International Conference on Structures and Architecture , Lisbon, Portugal , July 24-26, 2019. p. 221-228.
DOI : 10.1201/9781315229126-27.
Experimental testing of a small-scale truss beam that adapts to loads through large shape changes
Proceedings of ECCOMAS SMART 2019. 2019. The 9th ECCOMAS Thematic Conference on Smart Structures and Materials , Paris, France , July 8-11, 2019.
Talks
Minimum Energy Adaptive Structures – All-In-One Problem Implementation
IASS Symposium 2019 & Structural Membranes 2019 - Form and Force, Barcelona, Spain, 7-10 October 2019.
Design and Control of Minimum Energy Adaptive Structures
The XXIV AIMETA Conference (Italian Association of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics), Rome, Italy, 15-19 September 2019.
Synthesis and Testing of Minimum Energy Adaptive Structures
Multiscale Innovative Materials and Structures (MIMS), Salerno, Italy, February 28 - March 02, 2019.
Optimum Frame Design with Reused Stock Elements
International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures - IASS 2019: Form and Force, Barcelona, Spain, 7-10 October 2019.
2018
Journal Articles
Energy and Cost Assessment of Adaptive Structures: Case Studies
Journal of Structural Engineering. 2018-08-01. Vol. 144, num. 8, p. 04018107.
DOI : 10.1061/(ASCE)ST.1943-541X.0002075.
Exploring the application domain of adaptive structures
Engineering Structures. 2018-07-15. Vol. 167, p. 608-628.
DOI : 10.1016/j.engstruct.2018.03.057.
Shape control and whole-life energy assessment of an ‘infinitely stiff’ prototype adaptive structure
Smart Materials and Structures. 2018. Vol. 27, num. 1, p. 015022.
DOI : 10.1088/1361-665X/aa8cb8.
Conference Papers
A vibration control strategy using variable stiffness joints
2018-07-16. International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures , Boston, Massachusetts, USA , 16-20, 2018.
Optimum Truss Design with Reused Stock Elements
Proceedings of the IASS Symposium 2018, Creativity in Structural Design. 2018-07-16. IASS Symposium 2018 , MIT, Boston, Massachusetts, USA , July 16-20, 2018.
A new method to design structures that adapt to loads via large shape changes
Proceedings of the IASS Symposium 2018. 2018. International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures, Creativity in Structural Design , Boston, Massachusetts, USA , July 16-20, 2018.
Actuator Layout Optimization for Adaptive Structures Performing Large Shape Changes, Advanced Computing Strategies for Engineering
Lecture Notes in Computer Science. 2018. p. 111-129.
DOI : 10.1007/978-3-319-91638-5_6.
Optimization Formulations for the Design of Low Embodied Energy Structures Made from Reused Elements
Advanced Computing Strategies for Engineering. 2018. 25th EG-ICE International Workshop 2018 , Lausanne, Switzerland , June 10-13, 2018. p. Chapter 8.
DOI : 10.1007/978-3-319-91635-4_8.
Book Chapters
Designing and Prototyping Adaptive Structures—An Energy-Based Approach Beyond Lightweight Design, Robotic Building
Robotic Building; Springer, 2018. p. 169-189. - 978-3-319-70866-9.
DOI : 10.1007/978-3-319-70866-9_8.
Posters
Reuse in Architecture & Structural Design
Research Culture in Architecture, FATUK, Faculty of Architecture TU Kaiserslautern, Germany, September 27-28, 2018.
Talks
Design and Control of Adaptive Civil Structures: towards an Energy Approach to Structural Engineering
Henderson Lecture, Cambridge University, July 2-4, 2018.
2017
Conference Papers
The Use of Variable Stiffness Joints in Adaptive Structures
2017. IASS 2017 , Hamburg .
Large and reversible shape changes as a strategy for structural adaptation
2017. IASS 2017 , Hamburg , 2017.
2015
Journal Articles
Interactive real-time physics: An intuitive approach to form-finding and structural analysis for design and education
Computer-Aided Design. 2015-04-01. Vol. 61, p. 32-41.
DOI : 10.1016/j.cad.2014.02.007.
2013
Conference Papers
Designing adaptive structures for whole life energy savings, Research and Applications in Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation
Research and Applications in Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation. 2013-09. The Fifth International Conference on Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation , Cape Town , September, 2013. p. 2105-2110.
DOI : 10.1201/b15963-380.
2011
Journal Articles
Adaptive Structures for Whole Life Energy Savings
Journal of the International Association for Shell and Spatial Structures. 2011-12-01. Vol. 52(170), num. 4, p. 233-240.
Teaching & PhD
PhD Programs
Qinyu Wang
Chair of Innovative Structural Design, Department of Built Environment Eindhoven University of Technology, https://research.tue.nl/en/persons/qinyu-wang
MSc Students
Vincent Lestang (EPFL)
Xavier Choitel (EPFL)
Julien Lebet (EPFL)