Phd in ENVIRONMENTAL AND HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING

email: paolo.degirolamo@uniroma1.it
phone: +39 3292987254

Paolo De Girolamo is Full Professor of Maritime Constructions and Coastal Engineering.
Since 2013 he works at DICEA of Sapienza University of Rome.
Since 2017 he is the Scientific Director of the Hydraulic Construction Laboratory of DICEA at Sapienza University of Rome.
From 1999 to 2012 he worked as Associate Professor at the Department of Structures, Hydraulics and Soil Mechanics (DISAT) of the University of L'Aquila .
From 2000 to 2012 he has been the Scientific Director of LIAM (Environmental and Maritime Hydraulic Laboratory).
From 1991 to 1998 he has been researcher at the University of Rome "La Sapienza".
In 1989 he received the Ph.D. degree in Maritime Hydraulics at University of Rome “La Sapienza”..
From 1986 to 1988 he carried out research at Danish Hydraulic Institute (Denmark) and at Delft Hydraulics (the Netherlands).
In 1985 he graduated in Civil Engineering (Hydraulics) at the University of Roma "La Sapienza".
He is author of about 140 papers related to theoretical and technical aspects of hydraulic and maritime constructions (about 42 on international journals). He has been for 5 years the Italian maritime group delegate at the IAHR (International Association of Hydraulic Research). He participated as researcher at about 40 research projects. He has been the Principal Investigator of about 25 research projects funded by the EC, MIUR and by public and private organizations.

Research Activities
Paolo De Girolamo carries out his research activities mainly in the field of maritime hydraulics and maritime constructions. Researches involve both theoretical and applicative aspects. Research methods involve analytical, numerical, experimental approaches and field measurements. He also deals with issues related to the experimental optimization of large hydraulic projects in the field of coastal defense from flooding, cooling systems for thermoelectric power plants, hydroelectric power plants and dams. He devoted large efforts in developing laboratory facilities and performing experimental tests. He is the Scientific Director of the Hydraulic Constructions Laboratory of the Faculty of Engineering at La Sapienza and he was from 2000 to 2012 the Scientific Director of LIAM (Laboratorio di Idraulica Ambientale e Marittima) of the University of L’Aquila. He significantly developed the research activities of the Hydraulic Laboratory of L’Aquila, founded by Prof. Umberto Messina, expanding the field of maritime hydraulics and maritime constructions. During the direction of LIAM, he coordinated the design and the construction of new experimental facilities:

- a large wave flume (50,0 m long, 2,0 m deep and 1,5 m wide);
- a tank (11,0 m long, 6,0 m wide and 1,0 m deep) for the study of tsunami generated by landslides;
- a large tank for 3D hydraulic experiments (26,0 m long, 13,0 m wide and 1,0 m deep);
- teaching experimental facilities.
He was the scientific coordinator of the largest experiment in the world carried out in the field of landslide generated tsunamis. The experiment, reproducing a conical island of about 10,0 m of diameter in a large water tank (50,0 m x 30,0 m x 3,0 m), was carried out in the LIC (Laboratorio di Ingegneria Costiera) of the Bari Polytechnic with the important support of the Bari research group coordinated by Prof. Antonio Petrillo and by Prof. Leonardo Damiani.
Funding granted from the numerous model test studies have been entirely reinvested to support the activities of young researchers and in acquisition of new experimental facilities.
During his career, Paolo De Girolamo changed twice the Academic Institution affiliation (in 1999 and in 2013). After each transfer, he managed to create and establish a new research group with significant efforts.

The main research topics of Paolo De Girolamo are:
- forecast and propagation of wind waves on varying depth;
- bound long waves and harbor resonance;
- hydrodynamics and sediment transport in coastal regions;
- wave interaction with structures including overtopping and breakwater stability;
- behavior of concrete used in marine structures;
- definition, measurements and analysis of wave parameters;
- port planning;
- integrated coastal area management;
- generation, propagation and interaction with the coast of tsunami generated by landslide in reservoirs and oceans;
- early warning systems of storm waves and tsunami;
- early warning systems of storm surges;
- dynamics of floating bodies.

Funding Information as Principal Investigator and participation to research projects as Investigator

2015/2017 Project title: “Design of the desalinator for Ponza Island (LT) – Numerical hydrodynamic simulations – University of Rome La Sapienza.”. Public Institution and role: Funded by Acqualatina S.p.a. Principal Investigator. Grant value: 100.000,00 Euro.

2015 Project Title: “Master Plan of minor ports of Lazio Region”. Public Institution and Role: Regione Lazio - Port Planning Expert. Insitution: CTL - University of Rome “La Sapienza”.

2012/2017 Project Title: “Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam – Hydroelectric project – Physical model tests of the gated spillway. University of L’Aquila - LIAM”. Private Company and Role: Funded by Salini Costruttori S.p.a. – Principal Investigator. Grant value: 150.000,00 Euro.

2013 Project Title: “AL FAW GRAND PORT – Republic of Iraq – 2D Physical Model of the East Breakwater – optimization of the breakwater. University of L’Aquila - LIAM”. Private Company and Role: Funded by Archirodon Construction (Overseas) Co. S.A. (Greece). Principal Investigator. Grant value: 30.000,00 Euro.

2012 Project Title:“AL FAW GRAND PORT – Republic of Iraq – 2D Physical Model of the East Breakwater – Stability and overtopping - University of L’Aquila - LIAM”. Private Company and Role: Funded by Technital S.r.l. – Principal Investigator. Grant value: 87.000,00 Euro.

2012 Project Title: “Physical model tests (wave forces on structures and maximum heights reached by the waves) of an exposed jetty”. Private Company and Role: CMC Ravenna. Principal Investigator. Grant value: 45.000,00 Euro.

2007/2011 Project title: “Development and verification of methods and hydraulic and geological models to support a tsunami early warning system. Implementation to the Stromboli (Eolian Islands) landslide”. Project Program: MIUR PRIN 2007 - Coordinatore Scientifico Nazionale del Programma di Ricerca. Principal Investigator. Grant value: 189.021,00 Euro.

2009 Project title: “Development of a real time overtopping early warning system for the Civitavecchia main Breakwater. University of L’Aquila - LIAM”. Public Institution and role: Funded by Civitavecchia Port Authority – Principal Investigator. Grant value: 150.000,00 Euro.

2009 Project Title: “Physical model tests (stability and overtopping) of the Ortona North Accropode Breakwater. - LIAM”. Private Company and Role: Sviluppo Ortona Porto Scarl - Principal Investigator. Grant value: 149.500,00 Euro.

2009 Project Title: “Physical model tests of wave influence on the cooling system outlet of Torrevaldaliga Sud Thermoelectric Power Plant. University of L’Aquila - LIAM”. Private Company and Role: Funded by Compagnia Porto di Civitavecchia – Principal Investigator. Grant value: 90.000,00 Euro.

2008 Project Title: “Physical mode tests (stability and overtopping) of the Ortona North Tetrapod Breakwater. - LIAM”. Private Company and Role: Sviluppo Ortona Porto Scarl - Principal Investigator. Grant value: 60.000,00 Euro.

2007 Project Title: “Design of the hull for a wave buoy - numerical and physical model tests - LIAM”. Private Company and Role: Envirtech. Principal Investigator. Grant value: 10.000,00 Euro.

2006/2012 Project title: “Design and construction of a new tank for 3D hydraulic physical model tests at LIAM laboratories L’Aquila”. Public Institution and role: Funded by Abruzzo Region – Principal Investigator. Grant value: 500.000,00 Euro.

2007 Project Title “Physical model tests to support the design of the requalification of Mazzè (Dora Baltea River) Hydroelectric Power Plant. (Low head run-of-the-river plant). University of L’Aquila - LIAM”. Private Company and Role: Funded by IDROMAZZE’ srl – Principal Investigator. Grant value: 60.000,00 Euro.

2007 Project title: “Physical model tests and numerical modeling of wave propagation in Ponza Harbour – Support to the Ponza Master Plan - University of L’Aquila - LIAM”. Public Institution and role: Funded by Provveditorato alle OO.PP. Italia Centrale – Principal Investigator. Grant value: 60.000,00 Euro.

2004/2006 Project title: “Landslides generated tsunamis: mechanical of the wave generation and propagation, development of forecast and early warning systems based on sea level measurements”. Project Program: MIUR PRIN 2004 - Coordinatore Scientifico Nazionale del Programma di ricerca. Principal Investigator. Grant value: 154.600,00 Euro.

2004 Project Title: “Research for the application of advanced numerical models for the inshore wave propagation - LIAM”. Private Company and Role: A.P.A.T. - Agenzia per la Protezione dell’Ambiente e per i Servizi Tecnici – ROMA. Principal Investigator. Grant value: 20.000,00 Euro.

2003 Project Title: “Physical model tests of precast modules for coastal protection (Tecnoreef modules) - LIAM”. Private Company and Role: Tecnotre – Principal Investigator. Grant value: 5.000,00 Euro.

2003 Project title: “Study of the wave field generated at Stromboli Island by December 2002 landslide and flood forecast scenarios. Numerical and physical model tests. University of L’Aquila - LIAM”. Public Institution and role: Funded by - Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri - Dipartimento della Protezione Civile Nazionale – Principal Investigator. Grant value: 160.000,00 Euro.

2003 Project title: “Physical model tests of wave overtopping of Civitavecchia main breakwater. University of L’Aquila - LIAM”. Public Institution and role: Funded by Civitavecchia Port Authority - Principal Investigator. Grant value: 90.000,00 Euro.

2003/2007 Project title: “Supporto Informativo per la Gestione delle zone costiere della Regione Abruzzo (S.I.Co.R.A.).- Informative support for the coastal area management of Abruzzo Region. University of L’Aquila - LIAM”. Public Institution and role: Funded by Regione Abruzzo Project leader and Principal Investigator. Grant value: 1.291.142,00 Euro.

2001/2003 Project Title: “DELOS, “Environmental Design of Low Crested Coastal Defence Structures”. Public Institution and Role: European Community - Investigator. Insitution: University of L’Aquila.

2001/2003 Project title: “Development of a numerical model based on the extended Boussinesq equations for the study of waves induced hydrodynamics in shallow water”. Project Program: MIUR PRIN 2001 - Responsabile Scientifico dell’Unità di ricerca dell’Università dell’Aquila – Principal Investigator. Grant value: 30.592,00 Euro.

2002 Project title: “Numerical and physical model tests for the study of the interaction between impulse waves generated by landslides and reservoirs structures. University of L’Aquila - LIAM”. Public Institution and role: Funded by Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri – Servizi tecnici – Principal Investigator. Grant value: 92.962,00 Euro.

2001 Project title: “Modeling of impulse waves generated by landslides in reservois. University of L’Aquila - LIAM”. Public Institution and role: Funded by Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri – Servizi tecnici nazionali - Principal Investigator. Grant value: 75.000,00 Euro.

1999-2001 Project Title: “Analysis of the wave parameters recorded by the Italian Wave Network (Rete Ondametrica Nazionale – RON)”. Public Institution and Role: Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri, Servizio Mareografico, Investigator. Insitution: University of Rome “La Sapienza” - DITS.

1999-2000 Project Title: “Definition of the freeboard for dams”. Public Institution and Role: Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri, Servizio Dighe, Investigator. Insitution: University of Rome “La Sapienza” - DITS.

1997/2000 Project title: “Rationale for Integrated Coastal Area Management (Ri.C.A.Ma)”. Project Program: L.I.F.E. financed by European Community – Principal Investigator (European Project Leader). Grant value: 900.000,00 Euro.

1997-1998 Project Title: “Upgrading of the Regional Ports Master Plan”. Public Institution and Role: Regione Lazio - Assessorato Opere e Reti di Servizi e Mobilità, Investigator. Insitution: University of Rome “La Sapienza” - DITS.

1997 Project Title: “Research on wave action on piles”. Public Institution and Role: INSEAN, Investigator. Insitution: University of Rome “La Sapienza” - DITS.

1996 Project Title: “Upgrading of the spectral model ARTURO for the wave evolution in shallow water”. Public Institution and Role: ENELCRIS, Investigator. Insitution: University of Rome “La Sapienza” - DITS.

1996 Project title: “Morphological changes of a beach crossshore profile under the attack of different sequences of sea states.”. Project Program: HCM European Large Installation Program (L.I.P.) Program ERBCHGET 030031 – PI Hannover, Germany. Principal Investigator. Grant value: 20.000,00 Euro.

1994/1995 Project Title: “MAST II program, contratto MAS2CT920042, “Rubble Mound Breakwater Failure Modes”. Public Institution and Role: European Community - Investigator. Insitution: University of Rome La Sapienza - DITS.

1994 Project Title: “Implementation of the spectral model ARTURO for the wave evolution in shallow water”. Public Institution and Role: ENELCRIS, Investigator. Insitution: University of Rome “La Sapienza” - DITS.

1992 Project Title: “Theoretical analysis of a spectral numerical model for the wave evolution in shallow water”. Public Institution and Role: ENELCRIS, Investigator. Insitution: University of Rome “La Sapienza” - DITS.

1991 Project Title: “Theoretical analysis of a finite element numerical model for the resolution of the mild-slope equation”. Public Institution and Role: ENELCRIS, Investigator. Insitution: University of Rome “La Sapienza” - DITS.

1991 Project Title: “Study on the wave penetration in a “Island port”. Public Institution and Role: CETENA Investigator. Insitution: University of Rome “La Sapienza” - DITS.