Buonocunto, Valentina (2025) Multi-scale structural assessment and sustainable technologies for seismic risk mitigation of historical masonry buildings. [Tesi di dottorato]

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Abstract

Masonry buildings constitute a significant component of Italy’s built heritage, encompassing both monumental structures protected under Law 1089/39 and buildings of historical and architectural interest. These structures, still in use after centuries, stand as material evidence of the nation’s historical and cultural identity. Unlike modern structures, the design and construction rules of these buildings did not meet principles of structural mechanics nor engineering design methods but were rooted in traditional craftsmanship methods and empirical rules, based on performance observed on previous similar buildings and equilibrium of rigid bodies. In earthquake-prone areas, empirical rules led to some specific construction techniques to mitigate damage to structures. The decline of masonry construction due to reinforced concrete and seismic events has shifted in recent years, with renewed interest in traditional methods. With 63% of Italian buildings being masonry, 36% pre-1919, tailored seismic vulnerability assessments are crucial due to the diversity of historical structures. This thesis proposes a multi-scale analysis methodology for assessing seismic vulnerability and strengthening historical masonry buildings, tailoring intervention strategies to the specific characteristics of local contexts. The research integrates global and local modeling approaches to perform a comprehensive multi-scale seismic vulnerability analysis. Global analysis evaluates the overall structural behavior, while local analysis focuses on specific elements, such as masonry panels and vaults. Using nonlinear static analyses, fragility curves were generated for both in-plane and out-of-plane failure mechanisms. These were subsequently combined to provide a comprehensive framework for understanding and mitigating seismic risks. The buildings were then analyzed in their strengthened configurations, applying both traditional and innovative reinforcement techniques. The associated losses were calculated, highlighting the importance of structural strengthening for ensuring the safety and preservation of these structures. The developed methodology was applied to a real case study of a historic masonry building located in Portici, Naples. Analyses conducted using an equivalent frame model facilitated the assessment of the building performance under seismic loads. The results demonstrated the effectiveness of targeted VIII interventions in enhancing structural resilience, as measured through capacity curves, ductility ratios, and reduction of damage indices, while preserving the architectural value of the heritage asset.

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