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Dynamic characterisation and seismic assessment of medieval masonry towers

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Abstract

The paper investigates the dynamic characterisation, the numerical model tuning and the seismic risk assessment of two monumental masonry towers located in Italy: the Capua Cathedral bell tower and the Aversa Cathedral bell tower. Full-scale ambient vibration tests under environmental loads are performed. The modal identification is carried out using techniques of modal extraction in the frequency domain. The refined 3D finite element model (FEM) is calibrated using the in situ investigation survey. The FEM tuning is carried out by varying the mechanical parameters and accounting for the restraint offered by the neighbouring buildings and the role of soil–structure interaction. The assessment of the seismic performance of the bell towers is carried out through a nonlinear static procedure based on the multi-modal pushover analysis and the capacity spectrum method. Through the discussion of the case studies, the paper shows that the modal identification is a reliable technique that can be used in situ for assessing the dynamic behaviour of monumental buildings. By utilising the tuned FEM of the towers, the theoretical fundamental frequencies are determined, which coincide with the previously determined experimental frequencies. The results from seismic performance assessment through a pushover analysis confirm that the masonry towers in this study are particularly vulnerable to strong damage even when subjected to seismic events of moderate intensity.

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Abbreviations

a :

Parameter of the yield Drucker–Prager surface (–)

d :

Soil depth (mm)

E :

Young’s modulus (MPa)

E f :

Young’s modulus of foundation (MPa)

E b :

Young’s modulus of superstructure masonry (MPa)

E s :

Secant Young’s modulus (MPa)

E t :

Tangent Young’s modulus (MPa)

f :

Frequency (Hz)

f c :

Compressive strength (MPa)

f t :

Tensile strength (MPa)

f AVT :

Natural frequencies from ambient vibration test (Hz)

f FEM :

Natural frequencies from finite element model (Hz)

F AVT,i :

ith modal force vectors from ambient vibration test (–)

F FEM,i :

ith modal force vectors from finite element model (–)

F o :

Amplification factor (–)

h :

Bell tower height (m)

K :

Parameter of the yield Drucker–Prager surface

k n :

Normal stiffness (MPa)

k v :

Vertical stiffness (MPa)

m :

Mass (kg)

M :

Mass matrix (kg)

N :

Number of the experimental mode shapes (–)

PGA:

Peak ground acceleration (g)

PGALS :

Reference peak ground acceleration for the life safe limit state (g)

PSD:

Power spectral density (g2/Hz)

P VR :

Probability of exceedance (–)

S a :

Spectral acceleration (m/s2)

S d :

Spectral displacement (cm)

t :

Soil layer thickness (m)

T R :

Return period (years)

V :

Base shear (MN)

W :

Weight (kN)

α i :

ith modal mass ratio (–)

α LS :

Safety index at life safe limit state (–)

Γ i :

ith modal participation factor (–)

δ :

Lateral displacement (m)

δ top :

Roof lateral displacement (m)

δ y :

Displacement in y-direction (m)

ε t :

Tensile strain (‰)

η i :

Error (–)

η :

Weighted arithmetic mean error (–)

μ :

Mass density (kg/m3)

ν :

Poisson’s ratio (–)

Φ i :

ith mode shape (–)

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to express their gratitude to Mr. Salvatore Froncillo, Mr. Luigi Aruta and Mr. Alessandro Vari for their important support in the on-site measurements carried out on both towers.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Design, Building and Environment, Second University of Naples, via Roma 29, 81031, Aversa, CE, Italy

    Massimiliano Ferraioli & Alberto Mandara

  2. Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und –prüfung (BAM), Division Building Materials, Unter den Eichen 87, 12205, Berlin, Germany

    Lorenzo Miccoli

  3. Department of Civil Engineering and Computer Science Engineering, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, via del Politecnico 1, 00133, Rome, Italy

    Donato Abruzzese

Authors
  1. Massimiliano Ferraioli
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  2. Lorenzo Miccoli
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  3. Donato Abruzzese
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  4. Alberto Mandara
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Correspondence to Alberto Mandara.

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Ferraioli, M., Miccoli, L., Abruzzese, D. et al. Dynamic characterisation and seismic assessment of medieval masonry towers. Nat Hazards 86 (Suppl 2), 489–515 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-016-2519-2

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