Seismic response of the 35m high masonry chimney of the allatini complex

Abstract eng:
This paper focuses on the chimney of the industrial “Allatini Mill” complex in Thessaloniki which was built in 1854 as the first flour mill of the city and was closed in early 90’s, after 140 years of incessant operation, still tough attracting scientific attention from both an architectural and structural engineering point of view. More specifically, the static and dynamic response of the 35m high, masonry chimney of the complex is studied both analytically and numerically. The effect of foundation conditions and the subsequent soilstructure interaction is also discussed while a refined back analysis is presented that is based on the observed good performance of the tower during the 6.5Ms earthquake that jolted the city in 1978. Along these lines, the recorded motion of the above seismic event is used and properly deconvoluted to the bedrock level, while linear and non-linear site response analyses are used to generate several ground motion scenarios at the foundation-soil interface. A set of other parameters (i.e. masonry, soil and bedrock mechanical properties) were also sequentially modified within the framework of a sensitivity analysis scheme in order to account for various uncertainties involved. The range of variation of the parameters examined was back-estimated in order to comply with the fact that no significant damage was observed at the chimney during the 1978 earthquake. The results (inevitably) verify the performance of the chimney during the 1978 event but most importantly highlight the sections of potential strengthening required to enhance the standards of its seismic resistance. The overall back-analysis approach presented is also deemed as a comprehensive strategy applicable to other historical buildings or monumental structures as well, towards a more realistic vulnerability assessment and a means to preserve their architectural character whilst avoiding overdesign of the required rehabilitation and intervention measures.

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