![Elisa Bertolesi RESCOM Deputy Research Group Leader](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/5382?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Elisa Bertolesi
(she/her)
RESCOM Deputy Research Group Leader
Senior Lecturer in Civil Engineering
- BertolesiE@cardiff.ac.uk
- Queen's Buildings, Room S3.04, 5 The Parade, Newport Road, Cardiff, CF24 3AA
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Overview
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I'm Dr. Elisa Bertolesi, a Senior Lecturer in Civil Engineering at Cardiff University. With a Ph.D. from Politecnico di Milano (Italy), my research extends beyond theoretical frameworks, with practical applications contributing to the identification of collapse risks due to fatigue and assessing the robustness of structures. My research, recognized internationally with awards such as the Postgraduate Project Prize from the International Masonry Society, focuses on ensuring the safety and resilience of critical infrastructures. I have developed SHM systems, identifying risks of collapse and assessing structural robustness. My dedication extends to collaborative projects, including the EU-funded SCOURSHAKE project, addressing multi-hazard challenges posed by climate change. I have published over 36 papers in high-impact journals and I'm actively engaged in teaching, administrative roles, and promoting diversity and inclusion in academia. I serve as a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers. |
Publication
2023
- Mohamed, A., Zhou, Y., Bertolesi, E., Liu, M., Liao, F. and Fan, M. 2023. Factors influencing self-healing mechanisms of cementitious materials: A review. Construction and Building Materials 393, article number: 131550. (10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.131550)
- Vargas, L., Sandoval, C., Bertolesi, E. and Calderón, S. 2023. Seismic behavior of partially grouted masonry shear walls containing openings: Experimental testing. Engineering Structures 278, article number: 115549. (10.1016/j.engstruct.2022.115549)
2022
- Caredda, G., Porcu, M. C., Buitrago, M., Bertolesi, E. and Adam, J. M. 2022. Analysing local failure scenarios to assess the robustness of steel truss-type bridges. Engineering Structures 262, article number: 114341. (10.1016/j.engstruct.2022.114341)
- Bertolesi, E., Fagone, M., Rotunno, T., Grande, E. and Milani, G. 2022. Experimental characterization of the textile-to-mortar bond through distributed optical sensors. Construction and Building Materials 326, article number: 126640. (10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.126640)
2021
- Giordano, E., Bertolesi, E., Clementi, F., Buitrago, M., Adam, J. M. and Ivorra, S. 2021. Unreinforced and TRM-reinforced masonry building subjected to pseudodynamic excitations: numerical and experimental insights. Journal of Engineering Mechanics 147, article number: 12. (10.1061/(ASCE)EM.1943-7889.0002017)
- Bertolesi, E., Grande, E., Fagone, M., Milani, G. and Rotunno, T. 2021. Mechanical model based on a BVP for FRPs applied on flat and curved masonry pillars with anchor spikes. Composite Structures 273, article number: 114251. (10.1016/j.compstruct.2021.114251)
- Bertolesi, E., Buitrago, M., Adam, J. M. and Calderón, P. A. 2021. Fatigue assessment of steel riveted railway bridges: Full-scale tests and analytical approach. Journal of Constructional Steel Research 182, article number: 106664. (10.1016/j.jcsr.2021.106664)
- Milani, G., Grande, E., Bertolesi, E., Rotunno, T. and Fagone, M. 2021. Debonding mechanism of FRP strengthened flat surfaces: Analytical approach and closed form solution. Construction and Building Materials 302, article number: 124144. (10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.124144)
- Buitrago, M., Bertolesi, E., Calderón, P. A. and Adam, J. M. 2021. Robustness of steel truss bridges: Laboratory testing of a full-scale 21-metre bridge span. Structures 29, pp. 691-700. (10.1016/j.istruc.2020.12.005)
- Buitrago, M., Bertolesi, E., Sagaseta, J., Calderón, P. A. and Adam, J. M. 2021. Robustness of RC building structures with infill masonry walls: Tests on a purpose-built structure. Engineering Structures 226, article number: 111384. (10.1016/j.engstruct.2020.111384)
2020
- Buitrago, M., Bertolesi, E., Garzón-Roca, J., Sagaseta, J. and Adam, J. M. 2020. A parametric computational study of RC building structures under corner-column removal situations. Applied Sciences 10(24), article number: 8911. (10.3390/app10248911)
- Bertolesi, E., Milani, G., Fagone, M., Rotunno, T. and Grande, E. 2020. Heterogeneous FE model for single lap shear tests on FRP reinforced masonry curved pillars with spike anchors. Construction and Building Materials 258, article number: 119629. (10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.119629)
- Bertolesi, E., Torres, B., Adam, J. M., Calderón, P. A. and Moragues, J. J. 2020. Effectiveness of Textile Reinforced Mortar (TRM) materials for the repair of full-scale timbrel masonry cross vaults. Engineering Structures 220, article number: 110978. (10.1016/j.engstruct.2020.110978)
- Bertolesi, E., Buitrago, M., Giordano, E., Calderón, P. A., Moragues, J. J., Clementi, F. and Adam, J. M. 2020. Effectiveness of textile reinforced mortar (TRM) materials in preventing seismic-induced damage in a U-shaped masonry structure submitted to pseudo-dynamic excitations. Construction and Building Materials 248, article number: 118532. (10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.118532)
- Milani, G., Fagone, M., Rotunno, T., Grande, E. and Bertolesi, E. 2020. Development of an interface numerical model for C-FRPs applied on flat and curved masonry pillars. Composite Structures 241, article number: 112074. (10.1016/j.compstruct.2020.112074)
- Adam, J. M., Buitrago, M., Bertolesi, E., Sagaseta, J. and Moragues, J. J. 2020. Dynamic performance of a real-scale reinforced concrete building test under a corner-column failure scenario. Engineering Structures 210, article number: 110414. (10.1016/j.engstruct.2020.110414)
- Grande, E., Milani, G., Bertolesi, E., Fagone, M. and Rotunno, T. 2020. Modeling of the tensile behavior FRCM systems for repair and strengthening interventions of masonry structures. Frontiers in Built Environment 6, article number: 51. (10.3389/fbuil.2020.00051)
2019
- Torres, B., Bertolesi, E., Moragues, J. J., Calderón, P. A. and Adam, J. M. 2019. Experimental investigation of a full-scale timbrel masonry cross vault subjected to vertical settlement. Construction and Building Materials 221, pp. 421-432. (10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.06.015)
- Rotunno, T., Fagone, M., Bertolesi, E., Grande, E. and Milani, G. 2019. Curved masonry pillars reinforced with anchored CFRP sheets: an experimental analysis. Composites Part B: Engineering 174, article number: 107008. (10.1016/j.compositesb.2019.107008)
- Bertolesi, E. 2019. Some considerations about the effects of the bonding length on the effectiveness of spike anchors in CFRP reinforcements of masonry. Key Engineering Materials 817, pp. 141-148. (10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.817.141)
- Grande, E., Fagone, M., Rotunno, T., Bertolesi, E. and Milani, G. 2019. Modelling of the bond behaviour of curved masonry specimens strengthened by CFRP with anchor spikes. Composites Part B: Engineering 171, pp. 235-245. (10.1016/j.compositesb.2019.04.027)
- Torres, B., Bertolesi, E., Calderón, P. A., Moragues, J. J. and Adam, J. M. 2019. A full-scale timbrel cross vault subjected to vertical cyclical displacements in one of its supports. Engineering Structures 183, pp. 791-804. (10.1016/j.engstruct.2019.01.054)
- Bertolesi, E., Adam, J. M., Rinaudo, P. and Calderón, P. A. 2019. Research and practice on masonry cross vaults? A review. Engineering Structures 180, pp. 67-88. (10.1016/j.engstruct.2018.10.085)
2018
- Bertolesi, E., Milani, G., Fagone, M., Rotunno, T. and Grande, E. 2018. Micro-mechanical FE numerical model for masonry curved pillars reinforced with FRP strips subjected to single lap shear tests. Composite Structures 201, pp. 916-931. (10.1016/j.compstruct.2018.06.111)
- Grande, E., Fagone, M., Rotunno, T., Bertolesi, E. and Milani, G. 2018. Coupled interface-based modelling approach for the numerical analysis of curved masonry specimens strengthened by CFRP. Composite Structures 200, pp. 498-506. (10.1016/j.compstruct.2018.05.118)
- Rotunno, T., Fagone, M., Bertolesi, E., Grande, E. and Milani, G. 2018. Single lap shear tests of masonry curved pillars externally strengthened by CFRP strips. Composite Structures 200, pp. 434-448. (10.1016/j.compstruct.2018.05.097)
Articles
- Mohamed, A., Zhou, Y., Bertolesi, E., Liu, M., Liao, F. and Fan, M. 2023. Factors influencing self-healing mechanisms of cementitious materials: A review. Construction and Building Materials 393, article number: 131550. (10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.131550)
- Vargas, L., Sandoval, C., Bertolesi, E. and Calderón, S. 2023. Seismic behavior of partially grouted masonry shear walls containing openings: Experimental testing. Engineering Structures 278, article number: 115549. (10.1016/j.engstruct.2022.115549)
- Caredda, G., Porcu, M. C., Buitrago, M., Bertolesi, E. and Adam, J. M. 2022. Analysing local failure scenarios to assess the robustness of steel truss-type bridges. Engineering Structures 262, article number: 114341. (10.1016/j.engstruct.2022.114341)
- Bertolesi, E., Fagone, M., Rotunno, T., Grande, E. and Milani, G. 2022. Experimental characterization of the textile-to-mortar bond through distributed optical sensors. Construction and Building Materials 326, article number: 126640. (10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2022.126640)
- Giordano, E., Bertolesi, E., Clementi, F., Buitrago, M., Adam, J. M. and Ivorra, S. 2021. Unreinforced and TRM-reinforced masonry building subjected to pseudodynamic excitations: numerical and experimental insights. Journal of Engineering Mechanics 147, article number: 12. (10.1061/(ASCE)EM.1943-7889.0002017)
- Bertolesi, E., Grande, E., Fagone, M., Milani, G. and Rotunno, T. 2021. Mechanical model based on a BVP for FRPs applied on flat and curved masonry pillars with anchor spikes. Composite Structures 273, article number: 114251. (10.1016/j.compstruct.2021.114251)
- Bertolesi, E., Buitrago, M., Adam, J. M. and Calderón, P. A. 2021. Fatigue assessment of steel riveted railway bridges: Full-scale tests and analytical approach. Journal of Constructional Steel Research 182, article number: 106664. (10.1016/j.jcsr.2021.106664)
- Milani, G., Grande, E., Bertolesi, E., Rotunno, T. and Fagone, M. 2021. Debonding mechanism of FRP strengthened flat surfaces: Analytical approach and closed form solution. Construction and Building Materials 302, article number: 124144. (10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.124144)
- Buitrago, M., Bertolesi, E., Calderón, P. A. and Adam, J. M. 2021. Robustness of steel truss bridges: Laboratory testing of a full-scale 21-metre bridge span. Structures 29, pp. 691-700. (10.1016/j.istruc.2020.12.005)
- Buitrago, M., Bertolesi, E., Sagaseta, J., Calderón, P. A. and Adam, J. M. 2021. Robustness of RC building structures with infill masonry walls: Tests on a purpose-built structure. Engineering Structures 226, article number: 111384. (10.1016/j.engstruct.2020.111384)
- Buitrago, M., Bertolesi, E., Garzón-Roca, J., Sagaseta, J. and Adam, J. M. 2020. A parametric computational study of RC building structures under corner-column removal situations. Applied Sciences 10(24), article number: 8911. (10.3390/app10248911)
- Bertolesi, E., Milani, G., Fagone, M., Rotunno, T. and Grande, E. 2020. Heterogeneous FE model for single lap shear tests on FRP reinforced masonry curved pillars with spike anchors. Construction and Building Materials 258, article number: 119629. (10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.119629)
- Bertolesi, E., Torres, B., Adam, J. M., Calderón, P. A. and Moragues, J. J. 2020. Effectiveness of Textile Reinforced Mortar (TRM) materials for the repair of full-scale timbrel masonry cross vaults. Engineering Structures 220, article number: 110978. (10.1016/j.engstruct.2020.110978)
- Bertolesi, E., Buitrago, M., Giordano, E., Calderón, P. A., Moragues, J. J., Clementi, F. and Adam, J. M. 2020. Effectiveness of textile reinforced mortar (TRM) materials in preventing seismic-induced damage in a U-shaped masonry structure submitted to pseudo-dynamic excitations. Construction and Building Materials 248, article number: 118532. (10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.118532)
- Milani, G., Fagone, M., Rotunno, T., Grande, E. and Bertolesi, E. 2020. Development of an interface numerical model for C-FRPs applied on flat and curved masonry pillars. Composite Structures 241, article number: 112074. (10.1016/j.compstruct.2020.112074)
- Adam, J. M., Buitrago, M., Bertolesi, E., Sagaseta, J. and Moragues, J. J. 2020. Dynamic performance of a real-scale reinforced concrete building test under a corner-column failure scenario. Engineering Structures 210, article number: 110414. (10.1016/j.engstruct.2020.110414)
- Grande, E., Milani, G., Bertolesi, E., Fagone, M. and Rotunno, T. 2020. Modeling of the tensile behavior FRCM systems for repair and strengthening interventions of masonry structures. Frontiers in Built Environment 6, article number: 51. (10.3389/fbuil.2020.00051)
- Torres, B., Bertolesi, E., Moragues, J. J., Calderón, P. A. and Adam, J. M. 2019. Experimental investigation of a full-scale timbrel masonry cross vault subjected to vertical settlement. Construction and Building Materials 221, pp. 421-432. (10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.06.015)
- Rotunno, T., Fagone, M., Bertolesi, E., Grande, E. and Milani, G. 2019. Curved masonry pillars reinforced with anchored CFRP sheets: an experimental analysis. Composites Part B: Engineering 174, article number: 107008. (10.1016/j.compositesb.2019.107008)
- Bertolesi, E. 2019. Some considerations about the effects of the bonding length on the effectiveness of spike anchors in CFRP reinforcements of masonry. Key Engineering Materials 817, pp. 141-148. (10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.817.141)
- Grande, E., Fagone, M., Rotunno, T., Bertolesi, E. and Milani, G. 2019. Modelling of the bond behaviour of curved masonry specimens strengthened by CFRP with anchor spikes. Composites Part B: Engineering 171, pp. 235-245. (10.1016/j.compositesb.2019.04.027)
- Torres, B., Bertolesi, E., Calderón, P. A., Moragues, J. J. and Adam, J. M. 2019. A full-scale timbrel cross vault subjected to vertical cyclical displacements in one of its supports. Engineering Structures 183, pp. 791-804. (10.1016/j.engstruct.2019.01.054)
- Bertolesi, E., Adam, J. M., Rinaudo, P. and Calderón, P. A. 2019. Research and practice on masonry cross vaults? A review. Engineering Structures 180, pp. 67-88. (10.1016/j.engstruct.2018.10.085)
- Bertolesi, E., Milani, G., Fagone, M., Rotunno, T. and Grande, E. 2018. Micro-mechanical FE numerical model for masonry curved pillars reinforced with FRP strips subjected to single lap shear tests. Composite Structures 201, pp. 916-931. (10.1016/j.compstruct.2018.06.111)
- Grande, E., Fagone, M., Rotunno, T., Bertolesi, E. and Milani, G. 2018. Coupled interface-based modelling approach for the numerical analysis of curved masonry specimens strengthened by CFRP. Composite Structures 200, pp. 498-506. (10.1016/j.compstruct.2018.05.118)
- Rotunno, T., Fagone, M., Bertolesi, E., Grande, E. and Milani, G. 2018. Single lap shear tests of masonry curved pillars externally strengthened by CFRP strips. Composite Structures 200, pp. 434-448. (10.1016/j.compstruct.2018.05.097)
Research
Funded Projects
- CAPES/PRINT - Visiting Professor at the Universidade de Sao Paulo (Brazil).
- Subvenciones a Grupos de Investigacion Emergentes 2023: Enhancing the robustness of timber structures (PI: Dr. Manuel Buitrago – Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, Spain, Co-I: Dr. Elisa Bertolesi).
- EU, ERIES PROJECT 2023 ERIES-SCOURSHAKE: Structural Performance monitoring and evaluation of scoured bridges under dynamic actions (PI: Maria Giuseppina Limongelli – POLIMI, Italy, Co-I: Dr. Elisa Bertolesi, UK et al.). Involved research centres: POLIMI, Italy, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Italy, Politecnico di Torino, Italy, Università di Camerino, Italy, University of Birmingham, University of Strathclyde, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece, University Gustave Eiffel, France. Industrial Partners: Egnatia Odos: Panagiotis Panetsos (Egnatia Odos, Greece), Ivan Cottone (SMARTEC, Switzerland) and Nicola Brusa (Tailor-Engineering, Italy).
- Research Seminar Series. Project: The challenge of resilient structures: from traditional approaches to Internet of Things (IoT) applied to Structural Health Monitoring of critical infrastructures (PI: Dr. Elisa Bertolesi, UK).
- Postdoc fellowship: Juan de la Cierva - Formación. Funding body: Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Spain) (PI: Dr. Elisa Bertolesi – Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, Spain).
Teaching
With a rich background in teaching, I have successfully imparted knowledge in the following Modules:
- Engineering Practice – Undergraduate, Module Contributor - Brunel University London
- Digital transformation for built environment: IoT applied to structural health monitoring of critical structures and infrastructures – Doctorate, Module Contributor - Politecnico di Milano
- Structural Design and FEA – MSc, Module Leader - Brunel University London
- Nonlinear Structural Analysis and Finite Element Method – MSc, Module Leader - Brunel University London
- Structural Dynamics and Seismic Design – MSc, Module Contributor - Brunel University London
- Advanced Construction Materials and Structural Retrofitting Technology – MSc, Module Contributor - Brunel University London
- Multiphysics optimization of the building envelope – Undergraduate, Teaching Assistant - Politecnico di Milano
- Structural Analysis – Undergraduate, Teaching Assistant - Politecnico di Milano
- Structural rehabilitation of buildings – Undergraduate, Teaching Assistant - Politecnico di Milano
- Modelling the mechanics of masonry structures – Doctorate, Module Contributor - Politecnico di Milano
- Solid Mechanics – Undergraduate, Teaching Assistant - Politecnico di Milano
- Fundamentals of structural design – Undergraduate, Teaching Assistant - Politecnico di Milano
- Structural modeling and analysis – Undergraduate, Teaching Assistant - Politecnico di Milano
Biography
Dr. Elisa Bertolesi is currently a Senior Lecturer in Civil Engineering at Cardiff University, where she leads a dynamic research group with a strong emphasis on doctoral research. She earned her PhD with Honours in Architecture, Built Environment & Construction Engineering from the Politecnico di Milano (Italy). Dr. Bertolesi's research focus lies in the development of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) strategies, particularly utilizing fiber-optic technologies for the real-time monitoring of riveted steel railway bridges. Her work has contributed to identifying potential risks of collapse due to fatigue from increased traffic volumes and assessing the robustness of these structures in the face of progressive damage. Her achievements include international recognition for her PhD thesis, which received the Postgraduate Project Prize from the International Masonry Society in London, UK. Dr. Bertolesi has collaborated with various universities in the UK and overseas, as well as companies, resulting in numerous publications in international journals. With over 36 published papers in peer-reviewed scientific journals, Dr. Bertolesi's academic profile reflects a high degree of international activity. She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) in the UK and a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers (UK), CEng, MICE. Dr. Bertolesi serves as a peer reviewer for 17 high-impact factor journals and is a member of editorial boards for prominent journals in her field. Beyond her academic pursuits, Dr. Bertolesi is actively engaged in scientific divulgation, participating in seminars and events globally. Her recent selection to participate in the Go Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Action Student Challenge at York University (Canada) demonstrates her commitment to global collaboration and addressing challenges through a multidisciplinary lens.
Honours and awards
- Editor-in-Chief, Leroy Gardner, has selected the paper: ‘Robustness of steel truss bridges: Laboratory testing of a full-scale 21-metre bridge span’ as his ‘Featured Article’ from the February 2021 issue of Structures journal.
- International Masonry Society, Postgraduate Project Prize 2016
Professional memberships
- Member of the Institution of Civil Engineering (CEng, MICE)
- Fellow of the Higher Education (FHEA)
- Full College Member EPSRC - Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council
- Member of the Earthquake Engineering Field Investigation Team (EEFIT)
Academic positions
- Senior Lecturer in Civil Engineering, Cardiff University, UK
- Lecturer in Structural Engineering, Brunel University London, UK
- Postdoctoral Fellow Juan de la Cierva, Universitat Politécnica de Valencia, Spain
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Universitat Politécnica de Valencia, Spain
- Postdoctoral Fellow, Politecnico di Milano, Italy
Speaking engagements
- WCEE2024, Technical Session, Title: Bridges in multi-hazard environment: monitoring and analysis under flooding and earthquakes. In collaboration with Prof. Maria Pina Limongelli (Politecnico di Milano), Dr. Stergios-Aristoteles Mitoulis (University of Birmingham, UK) and Dr. Emmanouil Rovithis (Democritus University of Thrace, Greece).
- Research Seminar at Imperial College London (UK), 2023. Title: Structural Health Monitoring and Robustness assessment of old riveted railway bridges.
- Go Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Action Student Challenge hosted by York University in Canada, 2022. The focus of the initiative is on enhancing global learning opportunities, particularly for students from diverse backgrounds such as Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, those with low-income, or students living with disabilities. It emphasizes sending students to non-traditional destination countries in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. This experience broadens students' understanding of the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030 and provides them with a platform to contribute to these goals irrespective of their field of study.
- Semi-Plenary lecture at MuRiCo 7 2021, Mini symposium, Title: Advanced computational models of Fibre Reinforced Polymer (FRP) materials applied to masonry structures.
Outreach activities
- Concrete Laboratory Experience 2024, RAEng ENGAGE Project School.
- Museum After Dark 2024: Resilient Structures and Construction Materials exhibition.
Committees and reviewing
- Editor - Journal of Construction and Building Materials, Elsevier (2023 - to date)
- Early Career Board Member of Journal of Building and Environment, Elsevier (2022 - to date)
- Editorial Board Member - Scientific Reports, Springer Nature (2021 - to date)
- International Editorial Board Member - Journal of Composites for Construction, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) (2020 - to date)
- Leading Editor: Special Issue of the Structures journal (Elsevier) entitled "Advances in the design and simulation of masonry infilled structures under extreme loads" in collaboration with Dr. Manuel Buitrago (Universitat Politecnica de Valencia - Spain), Prof. Jason Ingham (University of Auckland - New Zealand) and Prof. Bing Li (Nanyang Technological University - Singapore) (2022)
- Managing Editor - Journal of Construction and Building Materials, Elsevier (2018 - 2023)
- Guest Editor - Collection "Numerical Modeling Trends for Historical Masonry Structures", Frontiers in Built Environment (Computational Methods in Structural Engineering) (2019)
Supervisions
Embark on an enriching PhD journey with my research group at Cardiff University and delve into the forefront of innovative solutions for preserving and monitoring cultural heritage structures.
Research themes
Specialisms
- Architectural heritage and conservation
- Earthquake engineering
- Civil engineering