Introspection on improper seismic retrofit of Basilica Santa Maria di Collemaggio after 2009 Italian earthquake

Abstract

Abstract:The 2009 L'Aquila, Italy earthquake highlighted the seismic vulnerability of historic masonry building structures due to improper "strengthening" retrofi t work that has been done in the last 50 years. Italian seismic standards recommend the use of traditional reinforcement techniques such as replacing the original wooden roof structure with new reinforced concrete (RC) or steel elements, inserting RC tie-beams in the masonry and new RC fl oors, and using RC jacketing on the shear walls. The L'Aquila earthquake revealed the numerous limitations of these interventions, because they led to increased seismic forces (due to greater additional weight) and to deformation incompatibilities of the incorporated elements with the existing masonry walls. This paper provides a discussion of technical issues pertaining to the seismic retrofi t of the Santa Maria di Collemaggio Basilica and in particular, the limitations of the last (2000) retrofi t intervention. Considerable damage was caused to the church because of questionable actions and incorrect and improper technical choices.

Infrared exploration of the architectural heritage: from passive infrared thermography to <em>hybrid</em> infrared thermography (HIRT) approach

“…The church of Santa Maria di Collemaggio (40) has been chosen in order to fulfill this purpose. The main information related to its stratigraphy is reported in the following.…”

“…The inspected area was the upper left hand corner of the facade This area was chosen in order to verify the historical data reported in (31) and previously mentioned. In addition, this part corresponds to the defoliation mechanism which occurred after the 1915 quake (40).…”

Analysis of the failure mechanisms of the basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio during 2009 L’Aquila earthquake

“…Instead, according to others, the reason of collapse is the crush of the pillars due to axial load. Details about this discussion can be found in Cimellaro et al [1,2]. Therefore this paper, in order to further clarify the discussion, is analysing the failure mechanisms and the seismic performance of the basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio.…”

“…Debate about the structural behaviour of the basilica under the seismic action is controversial and still open as shown in [1,2]. In the paper of Cimellaro et al [3] it has been presented and showed the importance of the global effects of stiffening, strengthening and damping produced by the retrofit interventions [1][2][3][4].…”

“…In the paper of Cimellaro et al [3] it has been presented and showed the importance of the global effects of stiffening, strengthening and damping produced by the retrofit interventions [1][2][3][4]. The authors believe that the capacity was exceeded at the piers side, leading to their collapse [4].…”