This work investigates the exploitation of a historical timber device used as masonry reinforcement in seismic prevention in the Mediterranean area. Such a technology is realized by means of a three-dimensional timber frame embedded in stone masonry in order to bind together the various structural parts, and contribute to the overall seismic resistance. Very often, such a constructive principle was extended not only to the weakest parts but to the whole building, creating new structural configurations that were able to absorb the effects of seismic ground motions. From Roman times (opus craticium), this system spread all across the Mediterranean area becoming common during the eighteenth century in Italy (Bourbon casa baraccata), in Portugal (Pombaline gaiola), in Turkey (hımış), etc. However, examples of timber devices and frameworks may be found almost worldwide: in the continental northern Europe, including those countries that are usually not subjected to earthquakes, as well as in Central Asia or in Japan, to America and North Africa. A large number of examples are reported to show how some traditional technologies, along with the suboptimal rules of the art, made a robust construction possible. Furthermore, by means of philological criterion and detailed analysis of seismic vulnerability improvement, the knowledge of such a system may allow developing novel designs and specific preservation works that could ensure the structural safety of historical constructions without modifying their main structural configuration. From such a perspective, this study examines the aspects of using diffused timber frameworks with masonry infill that go beyond anti-seismic technology, describes the common constructive features and helps develop guidelines for preservation of such systems.

This paper reports the development of novel green bio-composite mortars obtained by reusing mussel shells, a waste from the fish canning industry, as recycled aggregate, used for the first time in total substitution to the traditional sand. It suggests that this is a valid alternative to their usual disposal in landfills because the organic matter is potentially dangerous to humans and the environment. Different waste-based cementitious mixes were tested and compared to a traditional OPC mortar. The manufacturing process was performed at ambient conditions (20 °C, 65% RH) with highly sustainable results and consisted of simple operative steps reproducible in a real building site. The engineering performance was investigated to preliminarily assess the novel material potentials in construction. The main results showed that recycling mussel shells as aggregate while considerably decreasing the mechanical resistance (up to 60% in bending and 50% in compression), mixes could still find proper building applications (either structural, light partition, and plastering) according to the relevant standards. Moreover, the bulk density resulted up to 30% lower and the energy behavior was improved up to 40%, making the developed mortars highly suitable for promising energy-saving uses. Finally, the waste recycling about halves the materials cost and could also grant further financial saving for the fish industry. To conclude, the large amount of reused bio-waste not only represents a valid alternative to their usual disposal in landfills, but also makes the considered mortars suitable for building applications and promising candidates for the Minimum Environmental Criteria certification, in light of the EU Green Transition, and in line with the principles of the circular economy.

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