Advanced Materials Research Vols. 133-134

Abstract: In this paper different studies on the structural analysis, the fatigue assessment and the damage evaluation of metal bridges are reported. These work examples are related to a widespread amount of works conducted since the first of 2000 in the research area of bridge design and assessment. The most part of these researches are related to railway bridges and historical metal bridges, because of their particular vulnerability to damage decay during their life. The main research topics are presented and discussed.

Abstract: The “3 Ponti of Comacchio” represents one of the most important architectural monuments in the Province of Ferrara and surely the most significant historical bridge in Emilia Romagna region. The masonry bridge was built in 1632 by the architect Luca Danese and the customer was the Cardinal Pallotta at that time governor of the town of Comacchio, therefore sometimes is denoted as Pallotta bridge. The shape of the bridge is very particular because it was built at the intersection of 5 canals and presents an internal vault composed by 5 groins of rampant barrel vaults. In 1690 two towers have been added and the bridge assumed the present form. Nowadays it is used as a pedestrian bridge. The interest for the structural behaviour of the masonry bridge is due to the rising up, in the last 2 years, of evident cracks interesting as well the internal vault as the staircases in the west side. The masonry structure was analyzed either by Diana program, using an elastic-plastic damaging model for the masonry, as well as by limit analysis algorithms recently developed by the University of Ferrara. One possible reason of the rising up of the cracks is the settlement of the 3 piers on the west side due to the lowering of the water level in the canals for hydraulic arrangement works. Furthermore, in this study, sinking of pillars foundation will be also taken into account.

Abstract: In this paper a full scale monotonic static bending test on a composite timber-steel-concrete floor, equipped with innovative “collar” connectors, is illustrated. In particular, the specimen consists of two beams, made of ancient chestnut, connected to the concrete reinforced slab by means of purposely fitted upside wings of steel collars astride the beams themselves. The test is part of a comprehensive research activity, aiming at the evaluation and optimization of the collar connection device, developed within the European project PROHITECH (“Earthquake Protection of Historical Buildings by Reversible Mixed Technology”, 2004-2008).

Abstract: The paper deals with the study of the ancient timber structures of the Royal Palace of Naples. The attention is focused on the complex covering of the Guard Room (XXIX) of the Historical Apartment. Firstly, geometrical and mechanical in situ surveys are presented. Then, the capacity of the structure in terms of deformation and resistance is evaluated through numerical analyses on purposely set up 3D FEM models.

Abstract: The function of the underground ice storage, Glacières Royales, was to efficiently conserve ice during all seasons. It consists of a large vaulted structure in masonry from floor to walls and ceiling, covering 460 m². This remarkable ice storage is no longer in use today but is one of the last monumental witnesses of the European industry of ice and is therefore listed since 1993. A real estate project influencing the immediate surroundings of this ice storage motivated a thorough evaluation of its condition and stability. The actual structural behaviour of the underground ice storage, Glacières Royales, was studied. 2D and 3D numerical models based on linear elastic finite elements were used for the masonry. The soil-structure interaction was modelled by linear and non linear models using the Plaxis software. Analyses are presented both on the level of stability of the Glacières Royales in its present and future conditions imposed by the real estate project.

Abstract: The Church of Pantokrator (Zeyrek Mosque) is a Byzantine located in the Zeyrek district of Istanbul which was included in the World Heritage List in 1985 by UNESCO. The church suffered from earthquakes, fires and alterations in its history. In this paper, a brief history of the church, description of the northern structure with its damages and a preliminary analysis of the structure including an intervention proposal is presented. The reason to choose the northern part of the complex was due to its fragile condition in comparison with the other parts of the monument. This part has severe cracks on its structural elements and consequently during a possible repair and conservation work, it has priority.

Abstract: The paper presents the case study of the “Basilica dei Frari” in Venice for which a non linear numerical analysis has been recently performed in order to assess its structural conditions. In fact, from the end of its construction, in the XIV century, the building suffered from structural deteriorations mainly due to settlements affecting the bell-tower. A main structural intervention was carried out at the beginning of the XX century, aimed at stopping the outward tilting process of the tower. The intervention was so effective that it induced an opposite effect on the tower, which started to rotate towards the cathedral. Several studies were carried out since then to evaluate the interaction between tower and church, including in recent years structural monitoring and numerical modelling, besides a strengthening intervention consisting in soil micro-fracturing. A non linear numerical model of the church-tower complex was implemented and compared to the outcomes of the available experimental data (monitoring, investigations), also considering the historical process leading to the present day conditions. To gain reliable settlement damage predictions it was necessary to adopt tensile-softening crack models in the numerical studies and perform non linear analyses able to trace the complete response of the structure. The aim of the modeling was also, besides the assessment of the structural conditions of the complex, to predict the structural effects of the physical “separation” between tower and cathedral.

Abstract: Increasingly historic masonry buildings are subjected to higher levels of traffic and rail vibrations due to urbanization and population growth. Deterioration and destabilisation of these buildings may result, especially if they were previously damaged (e.g. earthquakes or settlement problems). To better understand building response, vibration measurements were conducted on the Little Hagia Sophia Mosque, located adjacent to Istanbul’s Sirkeci-Halkali railway line. Transport-induced vibrations were recorded at several points on the ground and building. Attenuation characteristics in the ground and amplification features on the building were examined. Peak particle velocities often exceeded previously established thresholds for human perception and in some cases for structural damage. These are evaluated with respect to the building’s condition.

Abstract: Protection and restoration of historical structure has a big importance to transfer past from future. It is necessary to protect all materials and documents that includes past culture, life style and life art in purpose of human history. Structures that used in past, is most important of these materials. Protection of historical structures that reflect to history of period and is historical artifact is also important because of emphasized reason. There are many historical structures in different region of Turkey. Some structuring especially show all cultural structure of that period and stand erect as grand monument. But in the length of time these type structures abrade and lose their nature, because of natural or other reason. After ever earthquake, almost each historical structures have permanent damages in Turkey which is earthquake area. For this reason, It is necessary to transfer future these historical structures by strength and repairing to discover local earth conditions and equipments that used in structure against to earthquake and other affects, determining damaged condition, determining system of architecture and conveyer to these historical structures On the other side, protection of structure can be provided with help of increasing functionality. Unused and closed historical structure will abrade and because of natural and other affects, it will damages and becomes unused. So, basic protection is to use and repair periodically to these historical structures. In near future, protection and restoration of historical structures get importance in Turkey. Many historical structures start to handle for this propose, works pick up speed for restorations. Mustafa Kemal primary school which used as school long time, and completed construction in 1910 Antalya-Turkey, is other important cultural heritage. Accumulation school building has basement, ground floor, and 1.floor. Because of floor height, basement has not been used. Other two floors have been used for common room, laboratory and toilet. In this work, after building survey of historical building used for school had been taken, equipment used in building had been confirmed and local earth condition had been determined, according to exist Turkish Regulations building analyze had been done. According to lacks of structure, it had been invigorated. For propose of implementation of architecture style to period, all added parts had been restored and renewed to damaged parts. Keywords: Restoration, strengthening, historical structure

Abstract: The seismic assessment of bell towers of churches built during the colonial period in Mexico is studied. Two representative typologies of churches of the southwest of Mexico are considered. The results of non-linear static and the non-linear dynamic analyses are compared. The results show that it is not recommended the use of non-linear static analyses; being necessary the use of full non-linear dynamic analyses.