Comparative Seismic Assessment of Ancient Masonry Churches

Abstract

The seismic risk assessment of the historical and architectural heritage is, nowadays, a very relevant topic due the potential human and economic losses involved in case of global or partial collapse. In order to preserve the inestimable value of such heritage, the prevention and mitigation of the seismic risk is needed and it cannot be postponed. Among the several methods available in the literature to perform vulnerability assessment on cultural heritage, this study focuses on two simplified methods proposed by the current Italian Directive, containing the guide lines for assessment and reduction of cultural heritage seismic risk. Furthermore, a new simplified method is applied, capable at a territorial scale of quickly ranking the seismic behavior of ancient churches. In the paper, the considered evaluation methods are applied to the case study of the Matera Cathedral, named SS. Maria della Bruna. The obtained results are then compared with others of similar ancient churches, all belonging to the historical centre "Sassi of Matera," a site protected by UNESCO having a moderate seismic hazard.

Simplified Seismic Analysis of Ancient Churches at a Territorial Scale

“…These results are compared with the ones obtained with the LV1 method in Figure 2. More details about the LV1 evaluation are reported in [9] and [14]. As far as the LV0 results, the resulting seismic scores (Ri) are divided by the minimum one (Rmin), and the obtained ratios (Ri/Rmin) are represented in ascending order.…”

“…In none of the considered churches are present structural interventions to reduce the structural vulnerabilities due to earthquakes. Details about the considered churches may be found in [9], [10], [14], [15].…”

Application of steel in refurbishment of earthquake-prone buildings

“…For example, dynamic structural parameters collected in this way provide a basis for evaluation of the numerical structural model accuracy and for determination of uncertain structural parameters, such as the modulus of elasticity and soil characteristics. Details of these procedures can be found in relevant standard [8], and in specific examples from literature [14][15][16][17]. Test procedures, inspection lists, and other data collected for this purpose, must be documented and referred to in the retrofitting design documentation [8].…”

Knowledge to Recover the Built Heritage: Case Study of “San Rocco” Church in Matera, Italy

“…Applications may be found in [16], [17];  Level of Valuation 2 (LV2), for local seismic assessment, by the means of the macroelements approach. Discussion about these aspects are reported in [16], [18];  Level of Valuation 3 (LV3), suitable for local seismic assessment, by using also finite elements models. Applications may be found in [19].…”

“…where the significance of the symbols may be found in [15], [16], [18]. Starting from the eqn (1) it is possible to calculate the activation multiplier  0 and, then, the corresponding seismic spectral acceleration a 0 * through the standard modal analysis principle * ∑ * * .…”