Dr Ludovica Pieroni | Ludovica Pieroni

Advancing Seismic Resilience of Self-Centering Steel MRFs: From Component Testing to Large-Scale Shake Table Testing

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Evaluation of the Frame Expansion Effect in Self-Centering Beam-to-Column Subassemblies

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Large-Scale Shaking Table Tests of a Self-Centering Seismic-Resilient Steel Moment-Resisting Frame: Preliminary Results

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Mass timber wall splice connection using glued-in rods: Design methodology, implementation, and shake-table testing in a six-story building

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Seismic-resilient damage-free self-centering steel and mass timber structures

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Invited speaker seminar for SECED in London, United Kingdom. Date to be confirmed in 2026.

Self-Centering Steel Structures for Earthquake Resilience: Insights from Component to Large-Scale Shake-Table Testing

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Fermo Ambassador Founded

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 18:30:00 +0000

In December 2025, in the historic setting of the Palazzo dei Priori in Fermo â€” in the Mayor’s Cabinet room â€” the Associazione di Promozione Sociale “Fermo Ambassador” was officially founded.

The constitutive assembly brought together 16 founding members, participating both in person and remotely, alongside two representatives of the Municipality of Fermo: Annalisa Cerretani (Councillor for Tourism) and Alberto Scarfini (Councillor for Budget and Youth Policy).

What is Fermo Ambassador?

Fermo Ambassador is a non-profit association (Associazione di Promozione Sociale) whose mission is to connect people with deep ties to the city of Fermo and its province who, over the course of their lives, have lived and worked outside the Marche region. The aim is to channel the relationships, expertise and experiences of this global network back into concrete opportunities and connections that benefit the local territory.

Membership is open to those who have had residence or domicile outside the Marche region for a significant period, building professional and personal networks that can contribute to the development of Fermo and its province.

Board of Directors

The assembly elected the following Board of Directors (Consiglio Direttivo) for the first two-year mandate:

Role	Name
President	Ludovica Pieroni
Vice-President	Fabio Grilli
Treasurer	Riccardo Cerolini
Secretary	Michele Mercuri
Prefect	Cristian De Angelis

A Personal Note

It is a great honour to have been elected President of Fermo Ambassador. As someone who has lived in London for many years while remaining deeply connected to Fermo, this association embodies exactly the kind of bridge I have always hoped to help build â€” between those of us who have left the city to pursue careers and lives abroad, and the community that shaped us.

I look forward to working with the board, the founding members, and the Municipality of Fermo to make this association a real force for cultural, social and economic exchange. 2026 begins with exciting work ahead.

Which IKEA Cabinet is Safest Without Wall Fixings? A practical and sophisticated comparison

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract ðŸ§‘â€ðŸ”¬

This study evaluates the stability of common IKEA cabinets when used without wall fixings. Focusing on white finish storage units with doors, we assess their stability through geometric proportions and tipping risk analysis. Using principles of static equilibrium, we compute the tipping angles under two scenarios: with doors closed and with doors open at 90 degrees.

Introduction ðŸ”

In rented accommodation, wall fixings are often prohibited, making freestanding stability a critical criterion when selecting furniture. This analysis examines IKEA cabinets in terms of inherent stability, offering guidance based on measurable data rather than subjective perception.

Data and Methods ðŸ“

Products Analysed ðŸ—‚ï¸

All selected products meet the following criteria:

White finish
Equipped with doors
Available in the UK market

Product	Width (cm)	Depth (cm)	Height (cm)	Doors	Price (Â£)	Link
KNOXHULT	60	31	153	1	Â£60	Link
BESTÃ… Low	60	42	129	2	Â£105	Link
BESTÃ… Tall	60	42	193	3	Â£145	Link
HAVSTA	81	37	134	2	Â£189	Link
PAX + FARDAL	50	58	201	1	Â£150	Link
METOD VALLSTENA	60	61.8	228	2	Â£198	Link

Methodology ðŸ”§

1ï¸âƒ£ Geometry Assessment

Height-to-depth ratio is a key indicator of stability:

Shallow and tall = higher risk ðŸš©
Deep and tall = greater inherent stability âœ…

2ï¸âƒ£ Centre of Gravity (CG) Shift Due to Open Doors ðŸšª

When a door opens to 90Â°, the centre of gravity (CG) shifts forward. This change reduces the tipping angle.

3ï¸âƒ£ Calculation of Tipping Angle ðŸ“

Closed Doors: $$\theta_{\text{tip}} = \arctan\left( \frac{\text{depth} / 2}{\text{height}} \right)$$

With One Door Open at 90Â°: $$\theta_{\text{tip}} = \arctan\left( \frac{\text{depth} / 2 - \text{CG offset}}{\text{height}} \right)$$

Where $\text{CG offset}$ accounts for the horizontal shift of mass due to the open door.

Results ðŸ“Š

Product	Tip-Over Angle (Closed)	Safety Margin (Door 90Â° Open)	Verdict
KNOXHULT	11Â°	0.5Â°	âš ï¸ High risk when door open
BESTÃ… Low	17Â°	5.3Â°	âœ… Very stable
BESTÃ… Tall	12Â°	4.5Â°	âš ï¸ Stable if loaded low
HAVSTA	13Â°	3.0Â°	âš ï¸ Stable with care
PAX	20Â°	7.0Â°	âœ… Safe for freestanding wardrobes
METOD VALLSTENA	28Â°	10Â°	ðŸ¥‡ Identical stability to METOD

Discussion ðŸ¤“

Depth as a Determinant of Stability

Deeper bases provide superior tipping resistance. Units below 40 cm depth present inherent risk in taller configurations.

Depth (cm)	Product	Interpretation
~30	KNOXHULT	Shallow and tall = high tipping risk
~37	HAVSTA	Mid-height, shallow: caution advised
~42	BESTÃ…	Low = stable, tall = needs care
~58-62	PAX, METOD	Tall and deep = inherently stable

Recommendations ðŸ’¡

Use Case	Recommended Product
Maximum stability, tall	METOD / METOD VALLSTENA
Wardrobe replacement	PAX
Compact sideboard storage	BESTÃ… Low
Budget-conscious option	KNOXHULT (only with extra care)

Safety Considerations for Renters ðŸ

Product	Best Practices
BESTÃ…	Heavy items low, level feet, anti-slip pads optional.
PAX	Load heavy items at the base, keep doors closed when not in use.
HAVSTA	Heavier loads on lower shelves, avoid placing heavy items on top shelves.
METOD	Designed for kitchens; inherently stable without additional measures.
KNOXHULT	Avoid leaving doors open; weight only at the bottom; use anti-slip mats or tension rods.

Conclusion ðŸ“

This analysis demonstrates that depth is the key factor in furniture stability for freestanding use. Tall cabinets under 40 cm depth pose a higher tipping risk unless secured. Kitchen-standard depths, as used in METOD systems, provide the best inherent safety.

Advancing the design of seismic-resilient buildings with self-centring systems