Advanced Materials Research Vols. 133-134

Abstract: The article deals with the restorations made in 2004, describing in addition several previous interventions, in particular, the work made by restorers from the Institute for National Historic and Artistic Heritage – IPHAN, in the 1940´s, wherein still resonated the procedures of Viollet-le-Duc. The article seeks to illustrate the double pathway that characterizes the role of Brazilian architects in the first steps in our modern architecture, showing how this very chapel could have served as inspiration for one of the most significant creations of the architect Oscar Niemeyer: the Chapel of Saint Francis of Assisi, in the Pampulha Complex in Belo Horizonte. This claim is justified in the operation of various factors, as much those relative to the esthetic and ideological motivations of the Modernist Movement in Brazil, as those linked to the programmatic operation of these architects in two professional sectors; that of the renovation and conservation of the architecture of the Baroque Mineira and the employment and use of its vocabulary in the production of our first modern architecture. A comparison, albeit superficial, between the Chapel of Padre Faria and that of Saint Francis reveals the presence of common points; the same simplicity and austerity in the overall treatment, the employment of the same principles in the distribution and articulation of the spaces and volumetric solutions, the use of similar compositional elements, equal sensibility in the positioning of the monument in relation to the surrounding landscape, the attainment of the effects of light and shade in the interior, the same pictorial treatment of the surfaces and the integration of the various forms of artistic expression as the result of the achievement of a mystic and contemplative atmosphere. The restoration work demonstrates these historic, artistic and environmental values.

Abstract: Regarding the redevelopment of existing residential buildings the timber-concrete-compo- site (TCC) construction is an innovative possibility to toughen up timber beam ceilings. Thereby a concrete slab is added to the timber beams. Both parts of the construction are connected by using special shear connectors. In this case timber is mainly loaded in tension and concrete is generally loaded in compression. The bearing capacity as well as the serviceability of the ceiling can be improved by this composite construction. The idea of combining the construction materials timber and concrete in the way that they both can take and carry on loads is not new. In Germany it was mentioned in 1939 for the first time. The cityscape of Central European towns is mainly characterized by buildings constructed before the 50th of the last century. The protection of the historical main structure of these buildings is getting more important today. Floors built up till that time were primarily made of timber. Research in Germany has been intensified during the last decade. This paper will show the specific properties of timber-concrete composite floors. Several metallic combing agents exist currently. Type and distance of the connection members influence the load bearing behavior of the composite construction. The main types used in Germany will be presented in this paper. The possible ways of calculating timber-concrete composite ceilings will be given and the design basis will be explained.

Abstract: In this paper an investigation campaign, carried out in occasion of the restoration of a timber floor in the Belasi Castle (Trentino, Italy), is reported. In order to validate a testing procedure for the calibration and control of an innovative wood-wood strengthening technique, results of tests performed in situ on the structural elements, in both the original and the repaired condition, have been compared with those obtained in laboratory on some dismantled beams. For the characterization of the material decay, both local mechanical and global vibrational testing have been carried out. For the mechanical characterization of the beams, before and after repair, direct static bending tests have been performed, with distributed loads, on site, and according to standard four-points loading schemes, in laboratory.

Abstract: Historical timber structures can be considered a paradigm of the “diversity”, which characterizes each individual artefact or part of it and represents a mark of heritage authenticity. In this paper, the term “diversity” indicates both the “variability” of the structure at its different hierarchical levels, and the “variation” in the typological form. Recognising, capturing and interpreting these peculiarities have been a main task, in the restoration of a timber roof in the Thun Castle (Trentino, Italy). After an exceptional snowfall the roof over the Cannons Loggia partially collapsed. In order to properly investigate the causes of the damages occurred to the structure and provide the necessary information for the intervention planning, a throughout investigation campaign was carried out. The adopted approach to repair aims at respecting the roof “diversity”, which is at the same time the mark of its originality and the cause of its deficiencies, relying on reversible and minimal interventions.

Abstract: The paper illustrates the preliminary results of a research carried out on a historical centre heavily damaged by 2009 L’Aquila earthquake; in particular it presents shortly the Rubble Removal Plan realized and more in detail, the analysis conducted on a sample block. The detailed knowledge of the block is are essential for identifying probable causes that led to the present damage scenario and for planning consciously the reconstruction and restoration of the historical centre.

Abstract: The paper describes the methodology proposed in the PERPETUATE Project (funded by the Seventh Framework Programme – Theme ENV.2009.3.2.1.1). The methodology proposed in PERPETUATE uses a displacement-based approach for the vulnerability evaluation and design of interventions. The use of safety verification in terms of displacement, rather than strength, orients to new strengthening techniques and helps in the comprehension of interaction between structural elements and unmovable artistic assets. The procedure is based on the following fundamental steps: definition of performance limit states, specific for the cultural heritage assets (considering both structural and artistic assets); evaluation of seismic hazard and soil-foundation interactions; construction knowledge (non-destructive testing, material parameters, structural identification); development of structural models for the seismic analysis of masonry structures and artistic assets and design of interventions; application and validation of the methodology to case studies. Two main scales are considered: the seismic risk assessment at territorial scale and at the scale of single historic building or artistic assets. The final aim of the project is to develop European Guidelines for evaluation and mitigation of seismic risk to cultural heritage assets.

Abstract: Developing earthen architecture conservation in Chile is a widespread challenge present in different organizations in our country, although a clear legislation has not been defined in order to preserve this important legacy. An extended look throughout the country allows us to understand the state of the art of restoration in Chile. In this respect, the recommendations in this paper are strategic to earthen architecture conservation in the Altiplano and in the Central Valley in the sense that they promote ideas for discussion of a national legislation on conservation and restoration. We believe that understanding how earthen architecture in Chile has been preserved until now enables stakeholders to make better decisions in the long-term; we have focussed this paper on the generation of an emergency strategy that can make it possible for our scarce remaining heritage to resist the next earthquake.

Abstract: A group of churches of the 18th century in the Lowlands of Bolivia and Paraguay are characterized by a very special timber skeleton frame structure. Most of these churches belong to the famous former Jesuit missions of Guaraní, Chiquitos and Mojos, in densely wooded regions ad the edge of the Spanish colonial empire. The best preserved and most important of these buildings are the six churches of Chiquitos in Eastern Bolivia, declared World Heritage sites by the UNESCO. In these villages and small towns, many traditions of colonial time have survived. The old churches are still the spiritual centers for the Chiquitanos, the Christian Native Americans of the region. The typical plan of these churches is a rectangular interior space with three naves, adobe walls, entrance hall, laterals corridors and a huge and long gable roof. The timber structures of these buildings are very simple, with free standing carved wooden columns that are anchored in the ground, using a pre-Columbian indigenous technique. It is combined with the European ways of constructing roof structures and timber joints and with baroque stylistic influences from Spain and central Europe. Since nearly 40 years, these churches have been the object of a long-lasting restoration project that saved them all, using very different restoration methods and standards.

Abstract: The research concerns the case-study of the church of Santa Maria del Popolo into the historical Incurabili Hospital in Naples, seriously damaged during a bombing raid in 1943. The construction of a reinforced concrete trussed roof and floor above the main nave has caused serious structural problems and the church shows evident signs of deterioration today. The present situation offers the occasion to deep, in an interdisciplinary way, the delicate issue of the recent past strengthening operations realized with reinforced concrete that, associated with highly territorial seismicity, alarm about the condition of many historical buildings. In order to have a clear knowledge of the structural behavior of the church, assessing the actual in situ condition, a numerical FE analysis has been performed with the scope of evaluating the state of stress in the structural elements of the walls and of the roof, pointing out the structural deficiencies. The numerical damage assessment has been validated by means of comparisons with crack patterns. Providing a reliable model, it has been possible to fully simulate the behavior of historical structures when subjected to different and severe types of load, e.g. seismic loads.

Abstract: Historical settlements, which are integral parts of the cultural heritage, should be documented and evaluated with their local characteristics. The aim of this study is to document, analyze and evaluate the architectural, environmental and social characteristics of an urban settlement called Değirmendağı District, which has a historical background beginning with the Roman period to the present, in the center of metropolitan city of İzmir, on the Aegean coast of Turkey. The settlement is one of the earliest that was planned by local administration in İzmir and contributes to the İzmir silhouette with its location on a steep hillside in the township of Konak. Documentation methods used are sketches, photography and architectural and social questionnaires. Inventory cards were prepared to collect architectural characteristics of each building and the social questionnaires were comprised of socio–economic characteristics of the settlers. Data gathered at the site was analyzed and evaluated to develop a conservation approach, including historical review of the ancient era. Since the area is easily accessible and close to city center, the area becomes attractive. It has the advantage of the vista based on its inclined topography and grid-planned scheme. Değirmendağı District is a special area requiring special conservation within the city of İzmir. However, historical pattern has changed through the years because of changing lifestyle. The area, which is one of the most important and valuable districts in İzmir considering its history, location, and architectural characteristics should be integrated with the city and citizens. This study documents the present potentials and values of the area and forms a basis to prepare conservation approaches.