PUBLICATIONS

La vulnerabilidad frente a los sismos en los Centros Históricos es un tema actual. Los daños en elementos no estructurales son frecuentes. Se presentan ejemplos de daños en centros históricos. Se delinean criterios de intervención, instancias de seguridad y conservación. Se concluye con propuestas para el futuro.

https://www.urbanistasperu.org/2021/07/26/vulnerabilidades-sismicas-no-estructurales-en-centros-historicos-entre-las-instancias-de-seguridad-y-de-conservacion/

The paper describes an innovative composite rubber/masonry infill for minimizing earthquake damage to the masonry as well as controlling the seismic performance of the R.C. moment resisting structures by offering auxiliary energy dissipating capability to the building.

This paper reports on the research and development activities carried out for the development of a new material, based on natural rubber, specially formulated to give a hysteresis damping of minimum 22% at design shear strain.

The paper deals with the retrofitting of r/c buildings damaged by the earthquake adopting the base-isolation.

 The Grange of Cuna was the administrative and storage centre of the bigger farm of Santa Maria della Scala Hospital in Siena. Built from the early 14th century, the Grange is characterized by continuous development of the building until the second half of the 18th century. For his extraordinary state of preservation, its size and the internal organization of individual buildings, it is notable for being one of the finest and rare examples of fortified farm in the context of Italian and European Middle Ages. At present a plan of restoration is under preparation, for whose completion many studies have been performed. The architectural survey, thanks to the accuracy of laser scanner technology added to a critical interpretation and data processing, represented the first knowledge of spatial and geometrical information and also gave a model useful to identify structural instabilities and deformations in order to direct the diagnostic phase. The stratigraphic investigations extended over the entire architectural complex made it possible to distinguish the historical constructive phases of the farm. Among the different masonries, fired brick masonries with earthen bedding mortars have been found in the original medieval nucleus, while rammed earth masonries plastered with lime mortar are present in some late medieval or post-medieval additions. Specific “in situ” investigations such as sonic and double flat jack tests were carried out on each masonry typology. Samples from the masonries with earthen bedding mortar and rammed earth were characterized in their mineralogical and petrographic features. This paper represents a first indication and reports a thorough investigation of walls built with earthy materials in this important medieval complex in Tuscany. Keywords: Earth masonry, Medieval building, Grange, Stratigraphic investigation, Mineralogical petrographic characterization, Mechanical test. 

This paper gives a general overview of SILER, a Collaborative Project funded within the 7th EC Framework Programme, aimed at studying the risks associated with seismic initiated events in Generation IV Heavy Liquid Metal reactors and developing adequate protection measures. In SILER, the attention is focused on the evaluation of the effects of earthquakes, with particular regard to unexpected (beyond design) events, and to the identification of mitigation strategies like seismic isolation. Specific sections of the paper are addressed to the design, development and testing of the isolators (High Damping Rubber Bearings and Lead Rubber Bearings) and the most critical interface devices like flexible joints for pipelines and joint-cover of the seismic gap.

The paper describes a wide testing campaign carried out on full scale prototypes of elastomeric isolators – both high damping rubber bearings (HDRB) and lead rubber bearings (LRB) – within the framework of the EC-funded SILER research project. The prototypes tested were designed for two reference nuclear power plants, the ELSY reactor and the MYRRHA reactor. Due to the typical huge masses of NPP, the related isolators often have large sizes. HDRB prototype is circular, with a diameter of 1350 mm; LRB prototype is square, with a side of 1250 mm, and four lead cores. The prototypes were subjected to different tests. One prototype was subjected to a complete type test campaign according to the European Standard EN 15129:2009, as well as to 3-D tests applying contemporarily displacement time-histories in two horizontal axes and vertical load time-history. Failure and post-failure tests were also performed, showing that the isolator, even after failure, is still able to sustain the vertical load and the horizontal displacement.

The Grancia of Cuna is located along the ancient Via Francigena (Via Cassia), a few hundred meters north of the town of Monteroni d’Arbia. The Grancia, notablefor its size, complexity and very good state of preservation, is one of thefi nest and rarest examples of a fortifi ed farm from the European Middle Ages.The brick complex consists of a small village surrounded by walls with gatesand towers. Within the walls is the actual farm and four storey granaries near the Palazzalti structure, which are accessed by a monumental partly covered ramp.

This paper outlines the response of the healthcare system in the area mainly affected by the 2012 Emilia earthquake by drawing on specific surveys and information from local health authorities. A description of the damage suffered and characteristics of the healthcare system as a whole is offered initially, followed by a detailed description of the effects which took place at the Santa Maria Bianca hospital of Mirandola. The focus has been on damage to non structural elements and content, whose integrity is of primary importance for healthcare structures performance during and after a seismic event. Some instruments for the acquisition of accelerometric data were installed after the May 20 event both outside and inside a building which is part of the hospital complex. The seismic behavior of this building has also been analysed by means of a purposely made finite element model and on the basis of the recorded data. The contribution of undamaged and damaged masonry infills to the global seismic response has also been estimated thus providing some hints on the observed building performance.

The final publication is available at link.springer.com

 The performance of masonry walls reinforced using polymeric grid embedded into plaster layers as a tools for the seismic enhancement of brick masonry buildings has been investigated by experimental tests. The results of the experimental campaigns are presented and discussed.

Based on the experimental data and on the results of detailed numerical simulations, simplified models to be used as tools for the design of the retrofitting intervention are proposed. The models properly consider the so called “first mode” and “second mode” collapse mechanisms as well as the grid effect in the evolution of the above mentioned mechanisms.

Restoration and conservation issues relevant to the application of the proposed methodology to historical building and cultural heritage are also presented and discussed.

Reinforcing brick masonry walls with a structural polymer grid embedded in the plaster can be an effective alternative to change its traditionally brittle seismic behaviour into an energy dissipation system that would allow masonry buildings to successfully stand earthquake forces.

This report describes the work performed to investigate the post elastic effect of reinforcing masonry brick walls with a structural polymer grid applied on its surface and embedded in a sand cement plaster. Twelve 1.20 x 1.20m panels were built and tested to cyclic shear force with constant vertical compression load; another twelve 0.80 x 1.60 brick panels were built and subjected to transverse flexural monotonic loading and unloading test. Solid clay bricks were used for the construction of walls with different type of mortar for the layers and for the plaster, in an attempt to better simulate retrofitting conditions. For the shear-compression tests, four walls were tested without plaster, four with sand cement plaster and the last four with the grid reinforcement embedded in the plaster on both sides. For the flexural tests, the variables studied were the effect of plaster alone, the effect of the polymer grid applied on the tension and compression side and the effect of the vertical load. The results of the shearcompression tests indicated a small increment in the in-plane wall shear resistance due to the grid presence, and that there is almost no evidence of any increment in stiffness, the grid deformability, being much higher than that of the plaster, practically does not contribute significantly to the masonry strength, they showed however, a substantial increase of energy dissipation with respect to the unreinforced panels. Important results have been obtained from the out-of-plane load tests. They have clearly demonstrated the positive effects of the grid presence on the ultimate load, ultimate displacement and energy dissipation. These results have allowed developing an initial mathematical expression for the ultimate moment capacity of masonry walls reinforced with polymer grids.

This paper deals with the dynamic characterisation and estimation of the seismic response of historical masonry structures, in particular medieval tower using ambient vibrations testing. The advantages and the reliability of the proposed methodology with respect to traditional methods, such as forced vibration tests, for evaluating the dynamic response of a structure are illustrated by making reference to a real case. The study demonstrates how ambient vibrations results can be obtained in a fast and non destructive way; their effectiveness in supporting the structural engineer in the assessment process and in providing a quantification of structural properties is also discussed.

Finally, the authors illustrates the use of accurate Finite Elements Models, calibrated on the measurements, in the evaluation of the collapse mechanisms and in the definition of the retrofitting interventions.

The performance of masonry walls reinforced using polymeric grid embedded into plaster layers as a retrofitting tools for the seismic improvement of masonrybuildings have been investigated by experimental tests. A number of quasi statictests have been carried out for completing and detailing the information from previous tests and checking the effectiveness of the available results forthe definition of design criteria. The results of the experimental campaign are presented and discussed. The grid shows its positive effect after the masonry failure, avoiding the collapse of the separated portions and increasing theductility of both the in-plane and out-of-plane collapse mechanisms.

L’edificio oggetto dello studio è una residenza urbana di tre piani e databile all’inizio del XVII secolo. Il fabbricato è ubicato sul fronte stradale e presenta una pianta rettangolare. La struttura portante è in muratura di laterizio e malta di calce, gli orizzontamenti del primo livello sono costituiti da volte in laterizio ad una testa, mentre gli orizzontamenti superiori sono costituiti da solai lignei a semplice orditura. Durante la recente storia dell’edificio, sono intercorsi significativi mutamenti che ne hanno pesantemente modificato l’assetto strutturale, in particolare la sostituzione dell’originaria copertura lignea con un tetto in latero-cemento databile allo scorso decennio. I recenti lavori di “restauro” hanno coinvolto pesanti variazioni dell’assetto fondale con scavi all’interno dell’edificio, al di sotto della quota strada, e con uno sbancamento del piano di calpestio del retrostante cortile privato. Il 9 febbraio, verso la conclusione dei lavori di sbancamento, sono apparse fessure in diversi punti della struttura. Le lesioni hanno subito una evoluzione molto rapida che ha portato in brevissimo tempo, circa 2 ore, al crollo parziale dell’edificio (figure sottostanti). Sono stati adottati provvedimenti urgenti per la messa in sicurezza temporanea dell'edificio. Sono in corso analisi per la definizione delle cause e delle modalità del collasso. Il lavoro finale riguarderà i risultati dello studio con la presentazione dell'edificio, la descrizione dei lavori previsti e di quelli eseguiti, l'analisi critica delle cause di collasso, l'interpretazione dei meccanismi di collasso attivati, le procedure di demolizione e di consolidamento. Particolare rilievo verrà dato alle problematiche etiche riguardanti la progettazione e la gestione degli interventi sugli edifici storici.

Located down to Monte Baldo, in the North of Italy, and not far from Garda Lake, Campo di Brezone is a little abandoned village, which shows historical signs from medieval period to late modern age. It is located far form the big lake centres and there is no road suitable for car to reach it. This condition of isolation determinated the way the village was constructed and now it determinates his preservation.

A view of the everyday life and its changes through history are still present in the village. Building characteristics, damage, injury (especially in the oldest heart), constructing process (from the querry to the lime kiln), olive oil production and storage places: everything is still there.

With the support of administrative and conservation bodies, the team studied Campo di Brenzone and produced a preservation project, with contains architectonical design and technological services to the whole village. The project also chooses tree buildings, cases of study for different intervention of use. These buildings are studied as pilot projects to the intervention of this abandoned rural village, where history and nature left and still leave their signs.

This paper reviews the recovery process in San Giuliano di Puglia, the one town in the Molise earthquake to suffer both extensive fatalities and widespread severe damage to its building stock. It focuses on three issues related to the recovery process: (1) the initial decision to close the central part of the town and to relocate most of the townspeople into temporary housing, (2) the location and design of the temporary ‘‘new village,’’ (3) the demolition rather than repair of many damaged buildings, and (4) the ongoing planning for the permanent relocation of the town center to a new area away from what had been the town’s ‘‘main street.’’ The paper discusses the inspection, shoring and demolition process. Connecting all these issues is the question of how relief aid should be managed to best assist in recovery on all levels, including the psychological well-being of the people and the community.

 The performance of masonry walls reinforced using polymeric grid embedded into plaster layers as a tools for the seismic enhancement of brick masonry buildings has been investigated by experimental tests. The results of the experimental campaigns are presented and discussed.

Based on the experimental data and on the results of detailed numerical simulations, simplified models to be used as tools for the design of the retrofitting intervention are proposed. The models properly consider the so called “first mode” and “second mode” collapse mechanisms as well as the grid effect in the evolution of the above mentioned mechanisms.

Restoration and conservation issues relevant to the application of the proposed methodology to historical building and cultural heritage are also presented and discussed.

La megapolizzazione e la povertà stanno distruggendo il centro storico di Lima, Perù, ed il mondo corre il rischio di perdere per sempre le antiche tecnologie costruttive tradizionli che fli Spagnoli copiarono dagli Inca. Come salvare cio che l'Unesco ha dichiarato "Patrimonio dell'Umanità"?

Sulla desertica costa peruviana, lungo le sponde del fiume Rimas, nel 1535 Pisarro fonda la città di Lima: la Città dei Re, la Perla del Pacifico, la Parigi d'America. La bellezza delle architetture di Lima nasce dall'utilizzo di un'originale tecnica costruttiva che si è sviluppata nel corso dei secoli per resistere alla violenza dei frequenti sismi e per sopperire alla scarsità di materie prime.