Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Masonry walls with irregular texture of L’Aquila (Italy) seismic area: validation of a method for the evaluation of masonry quality

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Materials and Structures Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The paper presents results of a study on mechanical characterization of the historical masonry walls in L’Aquila region (central Italy), heavily damaged by the 2009 earthquake. Five recurrent types of wall textures are identified and characterized by the stonework sections, and flat-jack tests were carried out on representative walls in order to investigate the mechanical properties. Experimental results showed a good agreement with the estimation determined through a method for the assessment of masonry quality based on a Masonry Quality Index. The study permitted the collection of data useful for designing the seismic improvement of historical masonry buildings.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Almeida C, Guedes JP, Arêde A, Costa CQ, Costa A (2012) Physical characterization and compression tests of one leaf stone masonry walls. Constr Build Mater 30:188–197

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Andreini M, De Falco A, Giresini L, Sassu M (2014) Mechanical characterization of masonry walls with chaotic texture: procedures and results of in-situ tests. Int J Archit Herit Conserv Anal Restor 8:376–407. doi:10.1080/15583058.2013.826302

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. ASTM C 1197 (1991) Standard test method for in situ measurement of masonry deformability properties using the flat-jack method

  4. Augenti N, Parisi F (2010) Learning from construction failures due to the 2009 L’Aquila, Italy, Earthquake. J Perform Constr Facil 24(6):536–555

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Banchelli A, Fratini F, Germani M, Malesani P, Manganelli Del Fa’ C (1997) The sandstones of the Florentine historic buildings: individuation of the marker and determination of the supply quarries of the rocks used in some Florentine monuments. Sci Technol Cult Herit 6(I):13–22

    Google Scholar 

  6. Baratta M (1901) I terremoti d’Italia. Saggio di Storia, Geografia e Bibliografia Sismica Italiana con 136 sismocartogrammi. Torino (in Italian)

  7. Binda L, Cantini L, Cardani G, Saisi A, Tiraboschi C (2007) Use of flat-jack and sonic tests for the qualification of historic masonry. In: Proceedings of tenth North American masonry conference (10NAMC), 3–6 June 2007, St. Louis, MO, USA, pp 791–803

  8. Binda L, Cardani G, Saisi A, Valluzzi MR (2006) Vulnerability analysis of the historical buildings in seismic area by a multilevel approach. Asian J Civ Eng 7(4):343–357

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  9. Binda L, Cardani G, Saisi A, Valluzzi MR, Munari M, Modena C (2007) Multilevel approach to the vulnerability analysis of historic buildings in seismic areas. Part 1: Detection of parameters for vulnerability analysis through on site and laboratory investigations. Int J Restor Build Monum 13(6):413–426

    Google Scholar 

  10. Binda L, Modena C, Casarin E, Lorenzoni F, Cantini L, Munda S (2011) Emergency actions and investigations on cultural heritage after the L’Aquila earthquake: the case of the Spanish Fortress. Bull Earthq Eng 9:105–138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Binda L, Saisi A (2005) State of the art of the research on historic structures in seismic areas in Italy. Prog Struct Mat Eng 7(2):71–85

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. Binda L, Saisi A (2009) Application of NDTs to the diagnosis of historic structures. In: Proceedings of NDTCE’09 7th international symposium on non-destructive testing in civil engineering, Nantes, June 30–July 3, 2009

  13. Binda L, Saisi A, Tiraboschi A (2000) Investigation procedures for the diagnosis of historic masonries. Constr Build Mater 14(4):199–233

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Binda L, Tiraboschi C (1999) Flat-jack test as a slightly destructive technique for the diagnosis of brick and stone masonry structures. Int J Restor Build Monum 5(5):449–472

    Google Scholar 

  15. Borri A, Castori G, Corradi M (2014) Determination of shear strength of masonry panels through different tests. Int J Archit Herit Conserv Anal Restor. doi:10.1080/15583058.2013.804607

    Google Scholar 

  16. Borri A, Castori G, Corradi M, Speranzini E (2011) Shear behavior of unreinforced and reinforced masonry panels subjected to in situ diagonal compression tests. Constr Build Mater 25:4403–4414

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Borri A, Corradi M, Castori G, De Maria A (2015) A method for the analysis and classification of historic masonry. Bull Earthq Eng. doi:10.1007/s10518-015-9731-4

    Google Scholar 

  18. Borri A, De Maria A (2009) L’indice di Qualità Muraria (IQM): Evoluzione ed Applicazione nell’Ambito delle Norme Tecniche per le Costruzioni del 2008. In: Proceedings of 13th Italian national conference for earthquake engineering, Bologna, Italy (in Italian)

  19. Bosiljkov V, Maierhofer C, Koepp C, Wöstman J (2010) Assessment of structure through non-destructive tests (NDT) and minor destructive tests (MDT) investigation: case study of the Church at Carthusian Monastery at Žice (SLOVENIA). Int J Archit Herit 4(1):1–15

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Brignola A, Frumento S, Lagomarsino S, Podestà S (2009) Identification of shear parameters of masonry panels through the in situ diagonal compression test. Int J Archit Herit Conserv Anal Restor 3(1):52–73

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Carocci CF (2012) Small centres damaged by 2009 L’Aquila earthquake: on site analyses of historical masonry aggregates. Bull Earthq Eng 10(1):45–71

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Carocci CF, Borgia C, Circo C, Costa M, Indelicato D, Lagomarsino S, Cattari S, Stagno G, Cifani G, Martinelli A, Castellucci A, Lemme A, Liris M, Martegiani F, Mazzariello A, Milano L, Morisi C, Petracca D, Tocci C, Pittaluga D, Vecchiatini R (2010) Una metodologia per la conservazione di centri storici danneggiati dal sisma: rilievo costruttivo,indagini ed indicazioni per il recupero di Casentino (AQ). In: Proceeding of the national conference “Sicurezza e conservazione nel recupero dei beni culturali colpiti da sisma”, Venezia (in Italian)

  23. Chagneau F, Levasseur M (1989) Contrôle des matériaux de construction par dynamostratigraphie. Mater Struct 22:231–236 (in French)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Chiarabba C, Amato A, Anselmi M, Baccheschi P, Bianchi I, Cattaneo M, Cecere G, Chiaraluce L, Ciaccio MG, De Gori P, De Luca G, Di Bona M, Di Stefano R, Faenza L, Govoni A, Improta L, Lucente FP, Marchetti A, Margheriti L, Mele F, Michelini A, Monachesi G, Moretti M, Pastori M, Piana Agostinetti N, Piccinini D, Roselli P, Seccia D, Valoroso L (2009) The 2009 L’Aquila (central Italy) MW6.3 earthquake: main shock and aftershocks. Geophys Res Lett. doi:10.1029/2009GL039627

    Google Scholar 

  25. Cotic P, Jaglicic Z, Bosiljkov V (2013) Validation of non-destructive characterization of the structure and seismic damage propagation of plaster and texture in multi-leaf stone masonry walls of cultural-artistic value. J Cult Herit. doi:10.1016/j.culher.2013.11.004

    Google Scholar 

  26. Da Porto F, Munari M, Prota A, Modena C (2013) Analysis and repair of clustered buildings: case study of a block in the historic city centre of L’Aquila (Central Italy). Constr Build Mater 38:1221–1237

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Di Tommaso A, Lancellotta R, Focacci F, Romaro F (2012) Seismic capacity of the Ghirlandina Tower in Modena, Italy. In: Proceedings of SAHC 2012 8th international conference on structural analysis of historical constructions, Wroclaw, Poland

  28. Fratini F, Pecchioni E, Rovero L, Tonietti U (2011) The earth in the architecture of the historical centre of Lamezia Terme (Italy): characterization for restoration. Appl Clay Sci 53(3):509–516

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Gamrani N, Chaham KR, Ibnoussina M, Fratini F, Rovero L, Tonietti U, Mansori M, Daoudi L, Favotto C, Youbi N (2012) The particular “rammed earth” of the Saadian sugar refinery of Chichaoua (XVIth century, Morocco): mineralogical, chemical and mechanical characteristics. Environ Earth Sci 66(1):129–140

    Article  Google Scholar 

  30. Giuffrè A (1991) Lettura sulla meccanica delle murature storiche. Kappa, Roma (in Italian)

    Google Scholar 

  31. Giuffrè A (1993) Sicurezza e conservazione dei centri storici. Il caso Ortigia. Laterza, Bari (in Italian)

    Google Scholar 

  32. Giuffrè A (1996) A mechanical model for statics and dynamics of historical masonry buildings. In: Protection of the architectural heritage against earthquakes. Springer Wien, NewYork

  33. Giuffrè A, Carocci C (1999) Codice di pratica per la sicurezza e la conservazione del centro storico di Palermo. Laterza, Bari (in Italian)

    Google Scholar 

  34. Gregorczyk P, Lourenço PB (2000) A review on flat-jack testing. Eng Civ 9:39–50

    Google Scholar 

  35. Gucci N, Barsotti R (1995) A non-destructive technique for the determination of mortar load capacity in situ. Mater Struct 28:276–283

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Gucci N, Moretti A (1989) Un dispositivo per misurare in situ la resistenza delle malte. Bollettino Ingegneri della Toscana 9 (in Italian)

  37. IMIT (2009) Circ. 02.02.2009, n. 617: Istruzioni per l’applicazione delle Nuove Norme Tecniche per le Costruzioni di cui al decreto ministeriale 14 gennaio. Italian Ministry of Infrastructures and Transportation, Rome (in Italian)

    Google Scholar 

  38. Kržan M, Gostic S, Cattari S, Bosiljkov V (2015) Acquiring reference parameters of masonry for the structural performance analysis of historical buildings. Bull Earthq Eng 13(1):203–236

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Lagomarsino S (2012) Damage assessment of churches after L’Aquila earthquake. Bull Earthq Eng 20(1):73–92

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Lagomarsino S, Magenes S (2009) Evaluation and reduction of the vulnerability of masonry buildings. In: Manfredi G, Dolce M (eds) The state of earthquake engineering research in Italy: the ReLUIS-DPC 2005–2008 Project. Doppiavoce, Napoli, pp 1–50

    Google Scholar 

  41. Locati M, Camassi R, Stucchi M (2011) The 2011 version of the Italian Macroseismic Database. Milano, Bologna. http://emidius.mi.ingv.it/DBMI11; doi:10.6092/INGV.IT-DBMI11

  42. Mastrodicasa S (1978) Dissesti statici delle strutture edilizie: diagnosi, consolidamento, istituzioni teoriche. Hoepli, Milan (in Italian)

    Google Scholar 

  43. Modena C, Valluzzi MR, da Porto F, Casarin F (2011) Structural aspects of the conservation of historic masonry constructions in seismic areas: remedial measures and emergency actions. Int J Archit Herit Conserv Anal Restor 5:539–558

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Regio Decreto del 18 Aprile 1909 n.193. Norme tecniche ed igieniche obbligatorie per le riparazioni ricostruzioni e nuove costruzioni degli edifici pubblici e privati nei luoghi colpiti dal terremoto del 28 dicembre 1908 e da altri precedenti elencati nel R.D. 15 aprile 1909. G.U. n.95 del 22/04/1909 (in Italian)

  45. RILEM TC 177-MDT. D.1 (2004) Indirect determination of the surface strength of unweathered hydraulic cement mortar by the drill energy method. Mater Struct 37:485–487

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. RILEM TC 177-MDT (2004) Test method recommendation of RILEM TC 177-MDT Masonry durability and on-site testing-D.5: in-situ stress-strain behavior tests based on the flat jack. Mater Struct 37:497–501

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Rossi PP (1982) Analysis of mechanical characteristics of brick masonry tested by means of non-destructive in situ tests. In: Proceedings of the 6th international brick/block masonry conference, Rome

  48. Rovero L, Fratini F (2013) The Medina of Chefchaouen (Morocco): a survey on morphological and mechanical features of the masonries. Constr Build Mater 47:465–479

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Rovero L, Tonietti U (2012) Structural behavior of earthen corbelled domes in the Aleppo’s region. Mater Struct 45:171–184

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. Rovero L, Tonietti U (2014) A modified corbelling theory for domes with horizontal layers. Constr Build Mater 50:50–61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Rovida A, Camassi R, Gasperini P, Stucchi M (2011) The 2011 version of the Parametric Catalogue of Italian Earthquakes. Milano, Bologna. http://emidius.mi.ingv.it/CPTI; doi:10.6092/INGV.IT-CPTI11

  52. Sani F, Moratti G, Coli M, Laureano P, Rovero L, Tonietti U, Coli N (2012) Integrated geological-architectural pilot study of the Biet Gabriel-Rufael rock hewn church in Lalibela, northern Ethiopia. Ital J Geosci 131(2):171–186

    Google Scholar 

  53. Uranjek M, Bosiljkov V, Zarnić R, Bokan-Bosiljkov V (2012) In situ tests and seismic assessment of a stone-masonry building. Mater Struct 45:861–879

    Article  Google Scholar 

  54. Valluzzi MR (2007) On the vulnerability of historical masonry structures: analysis and mitigation. Mater Struct 40:723–743. doi:10.1617/s11527-006-9188-7

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

Fabio Fratini of the Istituto per la Conservazione e Valorizzazione dei Beni Culturali (ICVBC-CNR) of Florence, Italy for physical and mineralogical analysis of the mortars.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Architecture, University of Florence, piazza Brunelleschi 6, 50121, Florence, Italy

    L. Rovero, V. Alecci, J. Mechelli, U. Tonietti & M. De Stefano

Authors
  1. L. Rovero
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. V. Alecci
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. Mechelli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. U. Tonietti
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. M. De Stefano
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to L. Rovero.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Rovero, L., Alecci, V., Mechelli, J. et al. Masonry walls with irregular texture of L’Aquila (Italy) seismic area: validation of a method for the evaluation of masonry quality. Mater Struct 49, 2297–2314 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-015-0650-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-015-0650-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation