In situ static and dynamic investigations on the “Torre Grossa” masonry tower

The paper analyses the most recent research carried out in Italy concerning the seismic behaviour of historic buildings. The last Umbria (Italy) earthquake in 1997 was an interesting on site test for the evaluation of the repair and prevention techniques applied to masonry building of historic centres in seismic areas, but also of the structural modelling. Most of the situations examined made important contributions to a general re-thinking of masonry evaluation and strengthening. The great importance in the mechanical behaviour of a building of building rules and of structural details, as well as transformation phases has been demonstrated.

Research on historic structures in seismic areas in Italy

Seismic vulnerability and failure modes simulation of ancient masonry towers by validated virtual finite element models

Seismic vulnerability enhancement of medieval and masonry bell towers externally prestressed with unbonded smart tendons

Dynamic analysis and seismic performance of reinforced concrete minarets

The Minaret of Jam in Afghanistan was recently included in UNESCO's List of World's Endangered Monuments. The minaret is the world's second tallest (∼60 m) after the Qutub Minar in New Delhi and it is also one of the oldest (∼800 years). It is situated at the centre of the Hindukush range in the Ghor Province at the junction of Rivers Hari-Rud and Jam-Rud, at an elevation of 1900 m. The Minaret of Jam is in danger of collapse due to a 3.4° northward inclination inducing high stresses in its deteriorated brick masonry. The precarious conditions of the monument render it highly vulnerable to earthquakes. Therefore prior to any intervention to protect it, an assessment of the seismic hazard at the site, followed by an evaluation of the tower's seismic vulnerability, is of foremost importance. This article illustrates the results of the seismic hazard assessment of the archaeological site of Jam using both the probabilistic explanation (PSHA) and the deterministic explanation (DSHA) approaches. Uncertainty in...

Seismic hazard assessment of the historical site of Jam in Afghanistan and stability analysis of the minaret

Monitoring Medieval Structures in Pavia

Experimental research is reported in which cyclic tests showed that the currently accepted properties of reinforcing steel do not provide sufficient local ductility for the highest ductility class of structures envisaged by the Eurocodes. New requirements are proposed for reinforcing steel to be used in seismic regions, particularly with reference to uniform elongation at maximum load, and the ratio between ultimate stress and yield stress.

Giorgio Macchi

Papers

Seismic hazard assessment of the historical site of Jam in Afghanistan and stability analysis of the minaret

Monitoring Medieval Structures in Pavia

Ductility requirements for reinforcement under eurocodes