Alessandro Martelli

Demo-application of shape memory alloy devices: the rehabilitation of the S. Giorgio Church bell tower

This paper describes the rehabilitation of the S. Giorgio Church Bell-Tower (Trignano, Municipality of S. Martino in Rio, Reggio Emilia, Italy), completed in September 1999. This masonry building, seriously damaged by the earthquake of October 15th 1996 which struck the Reggio Emilia and Modena Districts (Italy), was investigated by the authors immediately after the seismic event, as other ancient Cultural Heritage Structures (CUHESs) in the same area. In the past, seismic events have visited substantial destruction that translates into a significant loss of architectural heritage. The most common solution traditionally used to enhance the CUHESs seismic behaviour is the introduction of localized reinforcements, usually Traditional Steel Ties (TSTs), increasing stability and ductility. Anyway, in many cases said reinforcement techniques, often too invasive, proved to be inadequate to prevent collapse. For these reasons, the Bell-Tower intervention applies Innovative Antiseismic Techniques (IATs) by the use of superelastic Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) Devices (SMADs), a technology developed after a large amount of theoretical studies, numerical analyses and test campaigns. The SMADs, which can be considered a powerful tool with respect to the traditional methods, provide acceleration reduction, force limitation and energy dissipation. Furthermore, they are characterized by low invasivity and complete reversibility. When another earthquake occurred on June 18th 2000, with the same epicenter and a comparable Richter Magnitudo, the Bell-Tower, subjected to a new investigation, showed no damage of any type. Thus, the new seismic event has been the best verification of the retrofit intervention.

Progress of application, research and development, and design guidelines for shape memory alloy devices for cultural heritage structures in Italy

A wide ranging R&D Project (ISTECH) on validation and application of the Innovative Antiseismic Techniques (IATs) for the restoration of Cultural Heritage Structures (CUHESs), especially masonry buildings, based on the Shape Memory Alloys (SMAs), has been funded by the European Commission (EC), in the framework of the Environment and Climate RTD Programme. Because Traditional Restoration Techniques (TRTs) have sometimes proved inadequate in avoiding collapses and often too invasive, the use of superelastic SMA Devices (SMADs) has been developed. Theoretical and numerical studies, as well as intensive testing of material specimens, devices, structural models and in situ campaigns, show that SMADs can substantially increase the stability of masonry CUHESs exposed to an earthquake. Different SMAD types have been investigated to fulfil different structural needs and they can be custom designed taking into account each monuments characteristics. The successful results of the research and its exploitation led to important applications in Italy: the S. Giorgio Church Bell-Tower, located at Trignano, S. Martino in Rio, Reggio Emilia, damaged by the 15th October 1996 earthquake, the transept tympana of the S. Francesco Basilica in Assisi and the S. Feliciano Cathedral façade in Foligno, both heavily damaged by the September 1997 earthquake. In addition, further studies and applications of SMAD technology are foreseen in Italy in the next future, in the framework of Italian and European research projects and proposals.

Recent Development and Application of Seismic Isolation and Energy Dissipation and Conditions for Their Correct Use

More than 23,000 structures, located in over 30 countries, have been so far protected by passive anti-seismic (AS) systems, mainly by the seismic isolation (SI) and energy dissipation (ED) ones. The use of such systems is going on increasing everywhere, although its extent is strongly influenced by earthquake lessons and the features of the design rules used. As to the latter, SI is considered as an additional safety measure (with consequent significant additional construction costs) in some countries (Japan, USA, etc.), while, in others (including Italy), the codes allow to partly take into account the reduction of the seismic forces acting on the superstructure that is induced by SI. Applications of the AS systems have been made to both new and existing civil and industrial structures of all kinds. The latter include some high risk (HR) plants (nuclear reactors and chemical installations). The applications in a civil context already include not only strategic and public structures, but also residential buildings and even many small private houses. In Italy, the use of the AS systems has become more and more popular especially after the 2009 Abruzzo earthquake (nowadays more than 400 Italian buildings are seismically isolated). Based on the information provided by the authors at the ASSISi 13th World Conference, held in Sendai (Japan) in September 2013, and on more recent data, the paper summarizes the state-of-the-art of the development and application of the AS systems and devices at worldwide level, by devoting particular attention to SI of buildings in Italy, in the context of recent seismic events. Moreover, it outlines the benefits of the aforesaid systems for ensuring the indispensable absolute integrity of strategic and public structures, as, primarily, schools, hospitals and HR plants, but also (for an adequate protection of cultural heritage) museums. Finally, based on Italian experience, it provides some remarks on costs of SI, stresses the conditions for the correct use of this technique and mentions some recent initiatives of the Italian Parliament to ensure such a correct use and to widely extend such an use to the HR chemical plants too (for which only very few applications already exist in Italy).

Methods for the seismic verification of a fast reactor core

Abstract This paper presents the main features of the methods applied by the Fast Reactor Department of the Italian Energy Authority (ENEA) to the seismic verification of the core of the Italian PEC fast reactor test facility, which is in advanced construction at the Brasimone site. It also points out the problems which in general remain open in the fast reactor core seismic analysis. The aim is to contribute towards a generally acceptable philosophy on core seismic verification techniques and suggest items of possible co-operation for future developments.

Research and development studies on plant and core seismic behaviour for a fast reactor

Abstract This paper presents the main features and results of the numerical and experimental studies that were carried out by ENEA in co-operation with ANSALDO and ISMES for the seismic verification of the Italian PEC fast reactor test facility. More precisely, the paper focuses on the wide-ranging research and development programme that has been performed (and recently completed) on the reactor building, the reactor-block, the main vessel, the core and the shutdown system. The needs of these detailed studies are stressed and the feed-backs on the design, necessary to satisfy the seismic safety requirements, are recalled. The general validity of the analyses in the framework of the research and development activities for nuclear reactors is also pointed out.

State of the Art of the Development and Application of Anti‐Seismic Systems in Europe and Other Countries

There are already approximately 5,000 structures in the world, located in over 30 countries, that have been protected by seismic isolation (SI), energy dissipation (ED) and other modern seismic vibration passive control (SVPC) systems. The number of such applications is increasing everywhere more and more. It has been confirmed that, in each country, the extension of the use of the SVPC systems is conclusively influenced by earthquake experience, the availability of specific design rules and the features of those adopted. With regard to application, Japan has consolidated its worldwide leadership, with over 3,000 seismically isolated buildings, many others protected by ED systems and several isolated bridges & viaducts. Second is now the P. R. China, with 610 isolated buildings and 45 with dampers, in addition to numerous isolated bridges & viaducts. The Russian Federation is third for the number of isolated buildings, which are approximately 600. In the USA, due to the very penalizing design code in forc...

Advanced Tested Technology for Earthquakes and the Shapes of Memory: A Short Film and a Motion-Picture Developed in the Framework of the MUSICA Project

This paper provides updated information, with respect to that already given at the 2001 ASME-PVP Conference, on the Project MUSICA (Multimedia for the Development of Innovative Systems for Anti-Seismic Constructions). This project was jointly undertaken by the Italian Agency for New Technology, Energy and the Environment (ENEA) and other partners associated in the Italian Working Group on Seismic Isolation (GLIS) in May 2000, to contribute to information and training on the modern passive control techniques of seismic vibrations through a better, modern use of media. It consists in the development of a series of films of various durations on manufacturing, R&D and applications of the aforesaid techniques, namely seismic isolation, passive energy dissipation, hydraulic coupling by means of shock transmitters, systems formed by shape memory alloy devices, “active sewing” method for masonry buildings, etc. Films are addressed to designers, representatives of the Institutions and the ordinary public, as well. Most of them have already been completed. The short film “Advanced Tested Technology for Earthquakes” (that developed for ENEA within the MUSICA Project) will be shown at the Symposium, together with (if possible) the motion-picture “The Shapes of Memory”.Copyright

Overview: The 7th International Seminar on Seismic Isolation, Passive Energy Dissipation and Active Control of Vibrations of Structures, Assisi, Italy, October 2-5, 2001 and foundation of the Anti-Seismic Systems International Society (ASSISi)

This paper deals with the 7th International Seminar on Seismic Isolation, Passive Energy Dissipation and Active Control of Vibrations of Structures, held at Assisi (Italy) on October 2 to 5, 2001, which was jointly organized by the Italian Working Group on Seismic Isolation (GLIS) of the Italian National Association for Earthquake Engineering (ANIDIS) and Task Group 5 on Seismic Isolation of Structures (TG5) of the European Association for Earthquakes Engineering (EAEE) with the cooperation of several Institutions, associations and companies of a large number of countries, including the Italian Agency for New Technology, Energy and the Environment (ENEA) and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). The background, scope, attendance, main technical and organizational features and conclusions of the Seminar and the associated international exhibition and technical meetings and visits are summarized. Some remarks are also reported on the foundation of the new world association on the innovative anti-seismic techniques (ASSISi – Anti-Seismic Systems International Society), which was decided during the Closing Panel of the Seminar, and on the purposes, site and main features of the next event, the 8th World Seminar on Seismic Isolation, Energy Dissipation and Active Vibration Control of Structures, to be held at Yerevan, the Capital of Armenia, in 2003: this is the first event which will be organized in the framework of those officially involving ASSISi.© 2002 ASME

Development and application of innovative anti-seismic systems for the protection of cultural heritage: New achievements of ENEA

As described in detail at previous ASME-PVP Conferences and also reminded by separate papers presented this year, large efforts have been devoted by the Italian Agency for New Technology, Energy and the Environment (ENEA), with the cooperation of several further members of the Italian Working Group on Seismic Isolation (GLIS), to the development, validation and application of innovative anti-seismic (IAS) techniques since 1988. To date, considered have been base and floor seismic isolation (SI), energy dissipation through various types of passive devices, hydraulic coupling by means of innovative shock transmitters, systems formed by shape memory alloy devices and more recently, semi-active control of vibrations. New activities at ENEA, which are in progress in the framework of both international and national collaborations, concern the development of new IAS techniques of the aforesaid kinds to be applied to: • civil structures and industrial plants; • cultural heritage structures (CUHESs) to be restored or reconstructed, or masterpieces to be seismically protected. Progress of the work performed for civil and industrial structures has been separately presented at this Conference, while this paper deals with the new development, validation and application activities concerning the IAS techniques applicable to the seismic protection of CUHESs, to which particular attention has been devoted by ENEA for several years. The ongoing activities for CUHESs are being performed in the framework of: • PROSEESM, a national project which foresees pilot applications of the IAS techniques to the restoration of CUHESs damaged by the 1997–98 Marche and Umbria earthquakes; • a feasibilily study for the reconstruction in the original site, with SI and the original masonry materials, of Mevale di Visso, a village in the Marche Region destroyed by the aforesaid event; • a study for the design and application of an innovative three-dimensional SI system for seismic and ambient vibration protection of a roman ship excavated at Ercolano, near Naples.Copyright

Current Activities on the Use of High Damping Rubber Isolation Bearings in Italy

Innovative antiseismic techniques have already been applied in Italy to more than 150 bridges and vidaducts over 30 buildings and other structures. For the latter, seismic isolation systems, mostly formed by high damping rubber bearings have already been used in 20 cases. For such systems detailed numerical analyses and wide-ranging experimental campaigns have also been performed in the framework of both national and international collaborations to support applications. Proposals for design guidelines and standards have been developed for the isolation devices and both civil and industrial structures, including the nuclear plants. This paper focuses on the main feature of the activities performed in support of the development of the aforesaid seismic isolation systems.