C.F. Carocci

Small centres damaged by 2009 L’Aquila earthquake: on site analyses of historical masonry aggregates

This paper is focused on the illustration of on site works developed on some historical centres struck by L’Aquila earthquake of April 6, 2009 starting from the first emergency phase. The large number of minor historical centres damaged and the highly differentiated level of damage occurred implied the need of different procedures to study them. The common goal of all these studies is to illustrate the variability of the seismic response of historical masonry buildings trying to identify both the causes that have increased the damage (vulnerabilities) and the factors that have limited or prevented it (strengths). The preliminary results allow to formulate a first evaluation in view of drawing up reconstruction plans.

The case study of Santa Maria Paganica Church damaged by 2009 L'Aquila earthquake

Santa Maria Paganica Church, built in the second half of XIII century, represents one of the most important church for L’Aquila history (being the second so-called “capoquarto” church). During the centuries, due also to the damages suffered by various earthquakes, important structural modifications, which are decisive for the interpretation of the seismic response, followed. In particular, as a consequence of L’Aquila earthquake (April 6, 2009), severe collapses interested the church, which in particular occurred in: the dome and dome cladding, the whole roof (with exception of apse), the upper part of the lateral wall on left side, the gable of façade. Several vulnerability factors facilitated the collapse of these portions, in particular: the constructive precariousness of nave’s masonry walls; the asymmetric transversal stiffness on the two opposite sides of nave; the replacement of the original roof. In the paper, starting from the analysis of the constructive details and the subsequent transformations which interested this church, the interpretation of its seismic response will be discussed. Moreover some preliminar issues, associated to the different solutions for the church rebuilding and the strengthening interventions which should be adopted, will be examined.

A Methodology for Approaching the Reconstruction of Historical Centres Heavily Damaged by 2009 L’Aquila Earthquake

The paper illustrates the preliminary results of a research carried out on a historical centre heavily damaged by 2009 L’Aquila earthquake; in particular it presents shortly the Rubble Removal Plan realized and more in detail, the analysis conducted on a sample block. The detailed knowledge of the block is are essential for identifying probable causes that led to the present damage scenario and for planning consciously the reconstruction and restoration of the historical centre.

Reinforcement of the 18th Century Buttresses of Maniace Castle: Design and Execution

ABSTRACT Maniace Castle, built on Ortygia island in Siracusa (Italy) in the first half of the 13th century and hosting a magnificent hypostyle hall (the Salone), a square area covered by 25 cross vaults supported by columns, was severely damaged by the 1693 earthquake and the explosion of the ammunition dump in 1704. The buttresses, built immediately afterward to counteract the thrust of the 10 surviving vaults, did not guarantee adequate seismic safety so that a metal scaffolding was installed in 2001 to prevent an overturning mechanism. This article discusses the design and execution of an external pre-stressing steel system to increase existing buttress strength and the seismic capacity of the Salone, starting with historical and constructional analyses and dealing with both analytical and technical aspects. The monitoring system installed to detect structural response during and after the working execution is shown, along with some of the data acquired so far.

Safety and Preservation of Saint Agata Church in Tussillo (L’Aquila, Italy)

Starting from the damage condition of the small Saint Agata church affected by 2009 L’Aquila earthquake, a procedure of carrying out the restoration project is presented. It pursues dual design goals that bring together seismic safety and conservation of the monument establishing a rigorous correlation between the different phases of the design process. The methodology assigns particular importance to the cognitive analysis, both on the monument and historical sources, and to the interpretations of the investigation results as they allow the identification of the vulnerabilities which characterized the building at the moment of the earthquake. Specific observations on the evolution of the church and the current deterioration (both structural and superficial) reveal the crucial features, which help to explain the damage suffered and become an essential part in the definition of a consistent restoration program. The close link established between the cognitive analyses and interpretation becomes essential for the outlining of the criteria and the correct strategies for the project definition.

Earthquake and Enhancement: An Opportunity to Preserve the Medieval Castle of Fossa (L’Aquila, Italy)

Can a seismic event be seen as an opportunity for the conservation of architectural heritage? This question was the starting point for the discussions that were held during the feedback from the cognitive analysis which was in turn preliminary to the formation of the Reconstruction Plan of Fossa, one of the many small historic settlements heavily damaged by the L’Aquila earthquake in 2009. In this study, the medieval castle which characterizes the historic centre, becomes the paradigm to show that, if the post-earthquake reconstruction is tackled with a perspective that focuses on sustainability and preservation of the building fabric, the monuments, which are at its heart, will inevitably be involved in a new phase, that recognizes in their historical nature the profound meaning of their beauty.

Buildings Behavior in the Urban Fabric: The Knowledge Issue in the Post-Earthquake Reconstruction Plans

This paper - the first of two companion papers [1] - focuses on some considerations about the issue of the knowledge of masonry buildings in aggregate, which aims at evaluating the safety and, at the same time, the preservation inquiry of this built heritage.

Vulnerability reduction procedures in ordinary urban management. The Urban Building Code of Faenza

The paper describes a study carried out for historical centre of Faenza (RA), developed by the Dept. of Architecture (UniCT) within an agreement with Faenza Municipality. The study aimed at elaborating guidelines for mitigation of buildings’ vulnerability in historical urban fabric to be used in ordinary government of the city as seismic prevention intervention.