Gustavo Colonnetti


Gustavo Colonnetti was an Italian mathematician and engineer who made important contributions to continuum mechanics and strength of materials. He was a Rector of the Politecnico di Torino and President of CNR. His theories found important applications in modern techniques of construction, such as pre-stressed concrete.
He is remembered for Colonnetti's theorem which states that in equilibrium the potential energy function is minimized.

Life

Honors

He was nominated member of the Pontificial Academy of Sciences on October 28, 1936. In 1947, during the first meeting of the RILEM in Sorrento, he was elected first president of the society, and began its mandate in 1948. The same year, on the 27th of August 1947, he was elected corresponding member of the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei: nearly a year later, on the 15th of July 1948, he was elected full member.

Work

Research activity

Teaching activity

Selected publications