Simplified and Refined Analyses for Seismic Investigation of Historical Masonry Clusters: Comparison of Results and Influence of the Structural Units Position

• Main Authors: Giovanni Chiumiento, Antonio Formisano
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2019-07-01
• Series: Frontiers in Built Environment
• Subjects: masonry clusters; vulnerability assessment; L'Aquila earthquake; macroelement method; pushover curves; survey form
• Online Access: https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fbuil.2019.00084/full

The goal of this work is the assessment of the seismic vulnerability of building clusters within the historical center of Arsita (Teramo, Italy), damaged by the 2009 L'Aquila earthquake, by comparing two different analysis procedures applied to a construction compound case study. First, the seismic vulnerability of structural units of the building compound, has been appraised using a vulnerability evaluation quick form, appropriately conceived for masonry clusters. In particular, heading and intermediate structural units, having different geometrical configuration and seismic behaviors, have been inspected using the aforementioned form, which allowed for the calculation of a synthetic vulnerability index. Starting from these indices, the probable damage suffered by the examined structural units under different grade earthquakes, have been estimated. Later, both the single structural units and the whole construction compound were modeled using the macro-element refined method provided by the 3Muri non-linear analysis software. Static non-linear analyses performed on the above-mentioned structures have provided related pushover curves, used to estimate, using the N2 method, the damage suffered under seismic actions expected at that site. Therefore, the damage of single structural units have been compared to those experienced by the same structures within the building aggregate. Finally, the results derived from the two analysis methodologies considered were compared, confirming the effectiveness of the simplest technique to predict the seismic damage and vulnerability of investigated structures.