MODELLING AND ANALYSIS OF AN ANCIENT COMPLEX UNDER EARTHQUAKE LOADING: THE CASE STUDY OF SAN CIRIACO IN ANCONA

Abstract eng:
The paper discusses the seismic assessment of a historical complex, composed by a church, an annex used as museum, and an isolated bell tower. Churches, and more generally historical complex, represent a large portion of the Italian (and European) cultural heritage particularly susceptible to damage and prone to partial or total collapse under earthquake loads (as testified by the dramatic recent earthquakes in Italy in August and October 2016), for these reasons they are of economic and engineering concern. The high seismic vulnerability of this type of buildings is due to both the specific mechanical properties of masonry materials (characterized by a very small tensile strength) and the particular configuration of the buildings itself, which are characterized by an open plan layout often with perimeter slender walls. Moreover, the vulnerability of these historical masonry buildings is enhanced by the absence of adequate connections between the various parts constituting the structural complex and by the presence of thrusting horizontal structures (triumphal arches, etc.). The attention is focused on a particular masonry complex in order to assess its structural behaviour and its seismic vulnerability with respect to the actual state of conservation: a contribution to the issue of modelling and analysis of monumental masonry buildings under seismic action is provided. A finite element methodology is described and applied to the case study, using 3D nonlinear (static) analyses. Also constitutive assumptions, characterized by softening and damage, are done. The behaviour of the masonry is simulated by use of solid elements which can have their stiffness modified by the development of cracking and crushing. The comparison demand vs. capacity confirms the susceptibility of this type of building to extensive damage and possibly to collapse, as frequently observed. Some considerations on the construction stage and its effect on the structure are also done.

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