Title: Methodology for an effective retrofitting strategy of existing masonry buildings: a case study near L'Aquila

Authors: Antonio Sandoli; Bruno Calderoni

Addresses: Department of Structures for Engineering and Architecture, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via Claudio 21, 80125, Naples, Italy ' Department of Structures for Engineering and Architecture, University of Naples 'Federico II', Via Claudio 21, 80125, Naples, Italy

Abstract: The whole Mediterranean area historical heritage is mostly constituted by 'ancient' unreinforced masonry constructions which are particularly vulnerable to earthquakes. Due to the particular attitude to out-of-plane collapse mechanisms, 'ancient' constructions largely contribute to increase the seismic risk. In this paper, a methodology for retrofitting unreinforced masonry buildings, aimed to gradually transforms the 'ancient' masonry building into a 'modern' code-conforming building, is proposed. This approach has been applied to an existing masonry building located near L'Aquila (Italy) and damaged during the 2009 earthquake. The results demonstrate the usefulness of a methodological approach to implement retrofitting actions. Thus, appears more easily to calibrate the interventions as a function of the structural weakness and to quantify the role of each intervention in terms of capacity-to-demand ratio. Moreover, a gradual control of the seismic performance enhancement with respect to the original capacity can be achieved, avoiding high economic costs related to unnecessary interventions.

Keywords: ancient URM buildings; masonry building typologies; retrofit strategy; strengthening solutions; seismic capacity.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMRI.2021.113933

International Journal of Masonry Research and Innovation, 2021 Vol.6 No.2, pp.141 - 165

Received: 10 Aug 2019
Accepted: 23 Jan 2020
Published online: 02 Apr 2021 *

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