The Dynamic Behavior of the Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi Using Simplified Analytical Models

Abstract

The Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi endured stronger earthquakes for centuries before 1997 earthquake, which generated the collapse of the two vaults. Experts blame as possible reasons of collapse the damage cumulated from previous earthquakes and/or the retrofitting made to the structure over its lifetime. In this paper is presented the history of the retrofit interventions of the Basilica through the centuries, focusing mainly on the roof, which has been subjected to three major restorations through its life. It is shown using simple analytical models that the cumulative effects of the changes made to the roof of the Basilica affected the structure's dynamic behavior in a negative manner, increasing the seismic loads on the existing structural members. In particular, the numerical results show that the 1958 roof intervention has stiffened the structure,

Rigid block models for masonry structures

“…The restrictions defining the NRNT material in the particular form (2), are the essential ingredients for the application of the theorems of Limit Analysis (see Angelillo et al (2014), Drei et al (2016), Vanderbei (2015), Dantzig (2016), Arcidiacono et al (2016), Mele et al (2012), Dantzig and Thapa (2006), Dorn and Greenberg (1957), Milani et al (2012) and Bertolesi et al (2016)).…”

Seismic response of a small-scale masonry cross vault: Experimental investigation by performing quasi-static and shake table tests

“…The rst one is to evaluate the three-dimensional damage and collapse mechanism of masonry cross vaults subjected to in-plane shear forces caused by the seismic action. In-plane shear is a common type of failure that occurs during an earthquake as it was widely observed during post-earthquake surveys (Arcidiacono et al 2016;Carfagnini et al 2018;Borri, Corradi, and Vignoli 2002).…”