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Journal ArticleDOI

Damage assessment of churches after L’Aquila earthquake (2009)

01 Feb 2012-Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering (Springer Netherlands)-Vol. 10, Iss: 1, pp 73-92
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the vulnerability of cultural heritage, with particular reference to churches, in the case of the L’Aquila earthquake and found that the bad behaviour of churches strengthened by modern techniques, such as the substitution of original timber roofs with stiff and heavy r.c. slabs, was observed.
Abstract: L’Aquila earthquake, which occurred on April 6, 2009, proved the high vulnerability of cultural heritage, with particular reference to churches. Damage assessment in the emergency was carried out on more than 700 churches with a methodology aimed at recognizing the collapse mechanisms in the different architectonic elements of the church. The method was developed after the earthquake in Umbria and the Marches (1997) and has been widely used in the last decade; this approach is also very useful for seismic prevention, as it allows one to single out the most vulnerable structures. Some examples are presented in this paper, representative of recurrent damage in the main elements of the church: the facade, the roof, the apse and the belfry. It emerges that, for a correct interpretation of damage and vulnerability, it is necessary a deep knowledge of local construction techniques and of the historic transformation sequence. Moreover, the bad behaviour of churches strengthened by modern techniques, such as the substitution of original timber roofs with stiff and heavy r.c. slabs, was observed. Starting from the observation of some case studies, the paper achieves some worth results, which may be useful for correctly driving future strengthening interventions.
Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a displacement-based approach is adopted, because these structures crack even for low intensity earthquakes and can survive severe ones only if they have a sufficient displacement capacity, which is the main cause of damage for ancient masonry structures and is necessary to have accurate models for the seismic analysis, able to simulate the nonlinear behavior of masonry, and a well defined performance-based assessment procedure, aimed to guarantee the acceptable level of risk for the occupants and for the conservation of the monument itself.
Abstract: Ancient monumental masonry buildings are complex structures that were not based on an engineered design, underwent many transformations during their life and often present lack of connections among the structural elements. Earthquakes are the main cause of damage for ancient masonry structures and, in order to reduce their vulnerability with compatible and light interventions, it is necessary to have accurate models for the seismic analysis, able to simulate the nonlinear behavior of masonry, and a well defined performance-based assessment procedure, aimed to guarantee the acceptable level of risk for the occupants and for the conservation of the monument itself. The paper outlines the guidelines that were developed within the PERPETUATE European research project. The wide variety of architectural assets is classified and the related proper modeling strategies are identified; moreover, immovable artistic assets are considered in the assessment. A displacement-based approach is adopted, because these structures crack even for low intensity earthquakes and can survive severe ones only if they have a sufficient displacement capacity. Safety and conservation requirements are proposed by considering distinct sets of performance levels, related to use and safety of people, conservation of the building and of the artistic assets that might be present. Some indications on the seismic hazard assessment are provided, considering the distinctive features of some types of ancient structures. Within the fundamental knowledge phase, sensitivity analysis is proposed in order to address and optimize the in-situ investigation and to define proper confidence factors, aimed to consider epistemic and statistical uncertainties. Different modeling approaches and methods of analysis are considered, depending on the characteristics of the structure; both static pushover and incremental dynamic nonlinear analyses are considered. Related verification procedures are defined to evaluate the seismic intensity measure, and the corresponding return period, which is compatible with each performance level that must be fulfilled.

199 citations


Cites background from "Damage assessment of churches after..."

  • ...Damage assessment after recent earthquakes showed the high vulnerability of some types of historical structures, such as churches, palaces and towers (Oliveira 2003; Dogangun et al. 2008; Lagomarsino 2012; Cattari et al. 2014a; Sorrentino et al. 2013)....

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  • ...In these cases, instead of referring to the use of a behavior factor, it is possible to define a simplified capacity curve (Cattari and Lagomarsino 2012)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the seismic behavior of masonry churches damaged during the 2009 L’Aquila earthquake is studied, and four important basilicas are considered in order to derive general conclusions from the damage assessment and the performance analysis.

184 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors presented an overview of the damage that was observed over the course of a 2-day reconnaissance trip that took place 2 weeks after the 2011 Spanish earthquake, focusing on the damage observed in both historical and recent constructions.

110 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, an extensive experimental program was carried out at EUCENTRE, within a research project on the evaluation and reduction of the seismic vulnerability of stone masonry structures, where the main part of the experimental program has been devoted to the shaking table tests on three full-scale, two-story, single-room prototype buildings made of undressed double-leaf masonry.
Abstract: An extensive experimental program was carried out at EUCENTRE, within a research project on the evaluation and reduction of the seismic vulnerability of stone masonry structures. The main part of the experimental program has been devoted to the shaking table tests on three full-scale, two-story, single-room prototype buildings made of undressed double-leaf stone masonry. The first building tested was representative of existing unreinforced stone masonry structures with flexible wooden diaphragms, without any specific anti-seismic design nor detailing. In the second and third buildings, strengthening interventions were simulated on structures theoretically identical to the first one, improving wall-to-floor and wall-to-roof connections and increasing diaphragm stiffness. In particular, in the third specimen, steel and r.c. ring beams were used to improve the diaphragm connection to the walls and collaborating r.c. slab and multi-layer plywood panels were used to stiffen floor and roof diaphragms, respectiv...

83 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, an abacus of recurring seismic damage mechanisms in medieval fortresses has been proposed: it in particular concerns the towers and their interaction with the fortress perimeter walls and the seismic response of the most important fortresses in the epicentral area.
Abstract: The medieval fortresses are a very common and distinctive type among the Emilian historical constructions and the earthquake of May 20 and 29, 2012 highlighted their high vulnerability. Starting from the analysis of the geometrical and constructive features, the interpretation of their seismic vulnerability has been based on an accurate damage assessment and supported by the numerical results of typical configurations. An abacus of recurring seismic damage mechanisms in fortresses has been proposed: it in particular concerns the towers and their interaction with the fortress perimeter walls. Moreover, the seismic response of the most important fortresses in the epicentral area has been described referring to their historical notes, the recent interventions and their influence on the seismic damage.

83 citations


Cites background from "Damage assessment of churches after..."

  • ...…1997—Lagomarsino and Podestà 2004), schools (Molise, 2002—Pinto et al. 2003), historical centers (L’Aquila, 2009—Carocci and Lagomarsino 2009; Lagomarsino 2012) and reinforced concrete (r.c.) S. Cattari (B) · S. Degli Abbati · S. Lagomarsino · D. Ottonelli Department of Civil, Chemical…...

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  • ...…structural compatibility between original masonry elements and reinforced concrete slabs and curbs, as already stressed by past seismic events (Lagomarsino 2012); in particular the substitution of original timber roofs with heavy and stiff r.c. slabs turned out to be negative, as well as the…...

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References
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe the output of a survey carried out in the district of L'Aquila, Italy, in May 2009 after the April earthquake and later in January 2010, and the consequent vulnerability assessment completed by the authors.
Abstract: The paper describes the output of a survey carried out in the district of L’Aquila, Italy, in May 2009 after the April earthquake and later in January 2010, and the consequent vulnerability assessment completed by the authors. Observations collected on site regard masonry buildings of the historic centre of L’Aquila and the towns of Paganica and Onna; particular focus was given to a number of buildings of interest, which better represent two locally recurrent building typologies: the mansion and the common dwelling. A description of the main structural features and their influence on damage mechanism is provided, stressing the importance of elements such as wall lay-out, quality of masonry and strengthening interventions. The gathered information is used as input for the application of the FaMIVE method (D’Ayala and Speranza in Earthq Spectra 19(3):479–509, 2003), whereby feasible collapse mechanisms and the associate failure load factors can be identified. The procedure is briefly outlined and results are discussed from the point of view of the performance point: push-over curves produced by statistical elaboration of FaMIVE’s output are compared both with the demand spectra obtained from EC8 and the response spectrum for the main shock as recorded by the closest station to the town. Conclusions are drawn on the reliability of the FaMIVE method with respect to its capability of predicting the damage mechanism identified on site.

283 citations


"Damage assessment of churches after..." refers result in this paper

  • ...…of damage to certain building types considering the most vulnerable elements of churches; the collapse mechanisms are in fact different and often easier to identify compared to those commonly found in other buildings in historical centres (Carocci and Lagomarsino 2010; D’Ayala and Paganoni 2011)....

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  • ...This paper will be limited to an interpretation of damage to certain building types considering the most vulnerable elements of churches; the collapse mechanisms are in fact different and often easier to identify compared to those commonly found in other buildings in historical centres (Carocci and Lagomarsino 2010; D’Ayala and Paganoni 2011)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors describe a methodology used to assess seismic damage in the churches of Umbria and the Marches, which is based on 18 indicators, each representative of a possible collapse mechanism for a macroelement.
Abstract: This paper describes a new methodology used to assess seismic damage in the churches of Umbria and the Marches, which is based on 18 indicators, each representative of a possible collapse mechanism for a macroelement. The subdivision of the church into macroelements consists of the identification of architectonic elements in which the seismic behavior is almost independent from the rest of the structure (fac¸ade, apse, dome, bell tower, etc.). For each macroelement, by considering its typology and connection to the rest of the church, it is possible to identify the damage modes and the collapse mechanisms. During inspection operations, the surveyors must indicate: (a) the actual macroelements; (b) the damage level; and (c) the vulnerability of the church to that mechanism, related to some specific details of construction. From these data a damage score is defined, which is a number from 0 to 1, obtained as a normalized mean of the damage grades in each mechanism. The analysis of the collected dat...

146 citations


"Damage assessment of churches after..." refers background or methods in this paper

  • ...The statistical analysis of damage observed led to the formulation of vulnerability models (Lagomarsino and Podestà 2004b), which allowed us to assign a vulnerability index to each church, taking into consideration both its weakest elements and the preventive constructive details, as well as to…...

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  • ...…damage after the Friuli earthquake in 1976 (Doglioni et al. 1994) and more systematically after the earthquakes in Umbria and the Marches in 1997 (Lagomarsino and Podestà 2004a) and Molise in 2002 (Lagomarsino and Podestà 2004c), have demonstrated that damage mechanisms in churches have certain…...

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  • ...Damage assessment, by singling out the activated collapse mechanisms and evaluating the damage level for each one, allows one to evaluate a synthetic score, the damage index, which is representative of the average damage in the church (Lagomarsino and Podestà 2004a)....

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  • ...3 the observed damage data is compared with the analytical vulnerability curves, for usual values of the vulnerability index IV, from 0.2 to 0.6 (Lagomarsino and Podestà 2004b)....

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  • ...…et al. 1994) and more systematically after the earthquakes in Umbria and the Marches in 1997 (Lagomarsino and Podestà 2004a) and Molise in 2002 (Lagomarsino and Podestà 2004c), have demonstrated that damage mechanisms in churches have certain recurring characteristics, notwithstanding the…...

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a survey of the specific vulnerability with regard to the different collapse mechanisms that are typical of earthquakes is presented, taking into account, if present, the damage due to historical events as an observed vulnerability.
Abstract: In the context of a seismic prevention strategy, vulnerability analysis has the aim of acquiring knowledge of the buildings in a region, with particular reference to their predisposition to be damaged by an earthquake. The goal may be both at a territorial level, to assess the damage scenario expected after an earthquake of given intensity, and at a detailed level, as a support to the planning of seismic improvement interventions. The latter objective is very important for ancient churches, due to their architectural and historical value. They definitely need a more profound analysis. The survey with the new form proposed in Part I of this paper allows us to highlight the specific vulnerability with regard to the different collapse mechanisms that are typical of earthquakes, taking into account, if present, the damage due to historical events as an observed vulnerability.

125 citations


"Damage assessment of churches after..." refers background or methods in this paper

  • ...The statistical analysis of damage observed led to the formulation of vulnerability models (Lagomarsino and Podestà 2004b), which allowed us to assign a vulnerability index to each church, taking into consideration both its weakest elements and the preventive constructive details, as well as to…...

    [...]

  • ...…damage after the Friuli earthquake in 1976 (Doglioni et al. 1994) and more systematically after the earthquakes in Umbria and the Marches in 1997 (Lagomarsino and Podestà 2004a) and Molise in 2002 (Lagomarsino and Podestà 2004c), have demonstrated that damage mechanisms in churches have certain…...

    [...]

  • ...Damage assessment, by singling out the activated collapse mechanisms and evaluating the damage level for each one, allows one to evaluate a synthetic score, the damage index, which is representative of the average damage in the church (Lagomarsino and Podestà 2004a)....

    [...]

  • ...3 the observed damage data is compared with the analytical vulnerability curves, for usual values of the vulnerability index IV, from 0.2 to 0.6 (Lagomarsino and Podestà 2004b)....

    [...]

  • ...…et al. 1994) and more systematically after the earthquakes in Umbria and the Marches in 1997 (Lagomarsino and Podestà 2004a) and Molise in 2002 (Lagomarsino and Podestà 2004c), have demonstrated that damage mechanisms in churches have certain recurring characteristics, notwithstanding the…...

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present results of an extensive survey of damage resulting from recent Italian seismic events (with particular reference to the Molise earthquake), evaluating the effectiveness and applicability of some retrofitting methods in the hope that these findings will be taken into account in technical codes.
Abstract: The 2002 Molise, Italy, earthquake sequence shocked the Italian public because it killed school children, but it also highlighted the fact that seismic vulnerability of historic masonry buildings has increased because of reinforcement work that has been done in the last 50 years. Replacing the original wooden roof structure with new reinforced concrete or steel elements, inserting reinforced concrete tie-beams in the masonry and new reinforced concrete floors, and using reinforced concrete jacketing on the shear walls are all widely used interventions. However, they lead to increased seismic force (because of greater weight) and to deformations incompatible with the masonry walls. The authors present results of an extensive survey of damage resulting from recent Italian seismic events (with particular reference to the Molise earthquake). We evaluate the effectiveness and applicability of some retrofitting methods in the hope that these findings will be taken into account in technical codes.

95 citations


"Damage assessment of churches after..." refers background or methods in this paper

  • ...The statistical analysis of damage observed led to the formulation of vulnerability models (Lagomarsino and Podestà 2004b), which allowed us to assign a vulnerability index to each church, taking into consideration both its weakest elements and the preventive constructive details, as well as to…...

    [...]

  • ...…damage after the Friuli earthquake in 1976 (Doglioni et al. 1994) and more systematically after the earthquakes in Umbria and the Marches in 1997 (Lagomarsino and Podestà 2004a) and Molise in 2002 (Lagomarsino and Podestà 2004c), have demonstrated that damage mechanisms in churches have certain…...

    [...]

  • ...Damage assessment, by singling out the activated collapse mechanisms and evaluating the damage level for each one, allows one to evaluate a synthetic score, the damage index, which is representative of the average damage in the church (Lagomarsino and Podestà 2004a)....

    [...]

  • ...3 the observed damage data is compared with the analytical vulnerability curves, for usual values of the vulnerability index IV, from 0.2 to 0.6 (Lagomarsino and Podestà 2004b)....

    [...]

  • ...…et al. 1994) and more systematically after the earthquakes in Umbria and the Marches in 1997 (Lagomarsino and Podestà 2004a) and Molise in 2002 (Lagomarsino and Podestà 2004c), have demonstrated that damage mechanisms in churches have certain recurring characteristics, notwithstanding the…...

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the structural safety evaluation of monumental and historical buildings in seismic prone areas requires the availability of appropriate verification tools, in order to ensure both a realistic estimation and a realistic estim...
Abstract: The structural safety evaluation of monumental and historical buildings in seismic prone areas requires the availability of appropriate verification tools, in order to ensure both a realistic estim...

63 citations


"Damage assessment of churches after..." refers methods in this paper

  • ...This interpretation of vulnerability and seismic damage in terms of macro elements and collapse mechanisms has also allowed the definition of new mechanical models for the evaluation of seismic response, based on the statics of rigid bodies and the traditional methods of equilibrium limit analysis (Lagomarsino and Resemini 2009)....

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  • ...…and seismic damage in terms of macro elements and collapse mechanisms has also allowed the definition of new mechanical models for the evaluation of seismic response, based on the statics of rigid bodies and the traditional methods of equilibrium limit analysis (Lagomarsino and Resemini 2009)....

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