Luisa Berto

Seismic risk mitigation technique for art objects: experimental evaluation and numerical modelling of double concave curved surface sliders

The opportunity and the advantages of applying base isolation technologies developed for civil structures to small objects are investigated and some considerations related to the scale effects are discussed. A series of experimental tests carried out at SRMD facility in San Diego are presented with the aim to investigate the dynamic response of a system designed to simulate a sculpture isolated by means of Double Concave Curved Surface Sliders. Such devices are specifically re-designed to fit the peculiar situation of light weight objects. In particular the samples used in the experimentation are designed with geometric and inertia characteristics fit for representing the Michelangelo’s sculptures exposed at the “Galleria dell’Accademia” in Florence, Italy. Finally, the main aspects concerning the numerical simulation of the seismic response of the proposed isolated system are discussed, also to investigate the efficiency of the existing numerical models, which are developed for traditional devices, when they are applied on such small and particular objects. The results of the experimental/numerical campaign show a general efficiency of the isolation system in terms of limiting the transferred action. Further study is needed to understand more clearly some local unexpected phenomena emerged from the experimental tests.

Seismic isolation technique of marble sculptures at the Accademia Gallery in Florence: numerical calibration and simulation modelling

Isolation technique based on small-size double concave curved surface sliders was studied and applied to Michelangelo’s sculptures placed at the “Galleria dell’Accademia” in Florence, Italy. Starting from preliminary results carried out by some of the authors on such kind of devices, the effect of an enhanced calibration of friction parameters was presented and a number of numerical simulations of both experimental tests and real sculptures under different dynamic conditions were carried out. In particular the experimental tests results were analysed and compared with those obtained for the statues subjected to sinusoidal inputs. Then the sculptures in isolated conditions were subjected to a set of generated accelerograms, compatible with the design spectrum characterizing the Florence site and the main results of the analyses are presented and compared with the case of non-isolated systems.

Vulnerability Analysis of Built Cultural Heritage: A Multidisciplinary Approach for Studying the Palladio’s Tempietto Barbaro

ABSTRACT Vulnerability analysis and assessment of built cultural heritage requires a multidisciplinary approach for effectively dealing with both the “knowledge path,” which represents the first fundamental step of the procedure, and the subsequent structural analysis and the potential risk mitigation intervention design. In this article, this approach is presented with reference to the Tempietto Barbaro, designed by Andrea Palladio, which was selected as a particularly significant case study able to evidence the mandatory role of all the involved competences. Particular attention was paid to the contribution of historical analyses and critical survey processes, which demonstrate to be necessary steps to identify potential vulnerabilities, understand actual mechanical behavior, and to address the realization of the effective structural models, also in view of designing adequate retrofit solutions.