A Multidisciplinary Study on the Seismic Vulnerability of St. Agostino Church in Amatrice following the 2016 Seismic Sequence

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Diagnostics is a very important tool of knowledge in the field of historical buildings. In particular, non-destructive techniques allow to deepen the study of the mechanical characteristics of the historical walls without compromising the artistic value of the monumental building. A case study of the use of sonic and impact tests was described, performed using the same instrumented hammer, for the characterization of the masonry walls at the Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie at Varoni, one of the churches damaged in the 2016 Amatrice earthquake. Sonic tests showed the presence of a discontinous masonry texture, as well as confirming the ineffectiveness of the strengthening work made by injections of lime mortar. The impact test allowed us to obtain the elastic modulus of the omogeneous stones of the masonry. The results obtained from the non-destructive techniques were confirmed by the flat jacks test carried out on the building, confirming the great potential of the non-destructive diagnostics suitable for analyzing important structural parameters without affecting the preservation of historical masonry structures.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sonic and Impact Test for Structural Assessment of Historical Masonry

Grazzini

2019

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“…In the last few years, a growing number of studies have shown the great potential of hyperspectral cameras for detection and mapping cracks on buildings [48,49]. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) can be used for i.e., disaster management [50,51], crack identification using image processing [47,52], seismic vulnerability [53], architectural assessment of heritage sites and structures [54], and structural assessment using image processing techniques [55]. UAV-based photogrammetry [56][57][58] and LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) [59][60][61] devices are indeed used after earthquakes to scan affected areas, but this method is mostly used for larger areas only.…”

Section: The Assessment Methods For Condition Inspection and Identifimentioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of Emerging Technologies for an Assessment of Safety and Seismic Vulnerability and Damage Detection of Existing Masonry Structures

Stepinac

Gašparović

2020

The construction sector has proven to be one of the slowest sectors to embrace technology—a problem that must be addressed. This problem can be quickly and efficiently addressed in certain aspects of seismic engineering: from seismic risk assessment to damage detection, as well as condition assessments existing structures before or after an earthquake. In this paper, the literature review of assessment methods and damage detection technologies for existing (mainly) masonry structures is presented. Traditional methods are briefly explained, and modern are critically discussed. Special focus is given to unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as, photogrammetry and close-range remote sensing as a technology that can complement traditional ways of assessment and give us data about a structure that is often different to obtain. Graphical interpretation of one post-earthquake case study is provided. Open challenges and opportunities of emerging technologies for faster and easier assessment of seismic safety and vulnerability are presented.

“…From this lime, a mortar, as the binder of the masonry, was obtained with low calcium content, which over time degraded more rapidly, no longer binding the stones of the masonry. In particular, one of the symbolic damaged buildings in the historic center of Amatrice was the St. Agostino church, a Romanesque-Gothic construction built in 1428 (Figure 1a), which suffered an almost total collapse that occurred in progressive phases during the long seismic earthquake swarm after the first violent earthquake of 24 August 2016 (Figure 1b) [9]. The façade was composed of sandstone, and the interior was made from a single nave with a wooden roof and exposed trusses.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mechanical Properties of Historic Masonry Stones Obtained by In Situ Non-Destructive Tests on the St. Agostino Church in Amatrice (Italy)

Grazzini

Lacidogna

2021

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The design of strengthening and securing work for historic buildings requires knowledge of the masonry mechanical characteristics, often obtainable through laboratory tests that require invasive samples. The non-destructive techniques, applicable in situ in a rapid and non-invasive way, represent a valid alternative to estimate mechanical strengths without destructive sampling. In this study, a methodology was calibrated which, by combining the results of the ultrasonic and impact tests, makes it possible to reach a good estimate of the compression strength and elastic modulus of a particular rock: sandstone. Most buildings in Amatrice, the city devastated by the violent earthquake of Central Italy in 2016, were built by means of this sedimentary rock. By carrying out a diagnostic campaign on the remaining walls of the St. Agostino church in Amatrice, it was possible to obtain a correlation, specific for this case study, between the compression strengths from laboratory tests and the results of the ultrasonic and impact tests. Unlike the traditional Sonreb methods, this methodology wanted to favor the use of the impact method instead of the sclerometrer test. In this way, it will be possible to operate on other damaged buildings of similar construction types located in the seismic crater of Amatrice, evaluating the mechanical characteristics of the masonry structures be means of in situ non-destructive tests in order to design the safety and strengthening work.