Search results for "Masonry"

FRCM systems for strengthening masonry structures

2017

Composite materials have been widely used for strengthening weak masonry buildings. Particularly, wrapping with fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites has become a common method for strengthening masonry members primarily subjected to compressive static loads or seismic actions. More recently, in an effort to alleviate some drawbacks associated with the use of FRP materials, fibrereinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) composites have received a lot of interests for external strengthening of historical masonry structures. It is used as an alternative to FRP in situations where these composites have shown some disadvantages or their use is banned. This paper presents a literature review on …

Modelling of FRP and FRCM-Confined Masonry Columns: Critical Review for Design and Intervention Strategies

2022

This paper presents a critical review of the most established analytical models for the prediction of the compressive strength of FRP and FRCM-confined masonry columns. In particular, two types of fibres are analysed, i.e. glass and basalt. A wide dataset available in the literature is used for the application of the analytical models and for the development of parametric analyses useful for the critical comparison of FRP vs. FRCM confinement technique and glass vs. basalt fibres to be adopted as reinforcement of masonry substrate. The effects of stiffness and strength of the reinforcement, the number of reinforcing layers, the compressive strength of masonry and the cross-section shape are…

Scenarios of Climatic Resilience, Economic Feasibility and Environmental Sustainability for the Refurbishment of the Early 20th Century Buildings

2019

This paper aims to examine the theme of energy retrofit within the circumscribed field of refurbishment interventions on load-bearing masonry buildings built in the early 20th century. These include a remarkable share of the fabric of many European cities and, in particular, they can be found in geographical areas characterized by a Mediterranean (mild) climate. The main objective is to increase the climate resilience of the buildings by verifying the economic feasibility and the environmental sustainability of the interventions at the same time observing the specific architectural features of the buildings. We put forward alternative retrofit solutions carrying out synoptic comparisons of …

Stochastic Vulnerability Assessment of Masonry Structures: Concepts, Modeling and Restoration Aspects

2019

A methodology aiming to predict the vulnerability of masonry structures under seismic action is presented herein. Masonry structures, among which many are cultural heritage assets, present high vulnerability under earthquake. Reliable simulations of their response to seismic stresses are exceedingly difficult because of the complexity of the structural system and the anisotropic and brittle behavior of the masonry materials. Furthermore, the majority of the parameters involved in the problem such as the masonry material mechanical characteristics and earthquake loading characteristics have a stochastic-probabilistic nature. Within this framework, a detailed analytical methodological approac…

A new hybrid procedure for the definition of seismic vulnerability in Mediterranean cross-border urban areas

2016

Assessment of seismic vulnerability of urban areas provides fundamental information for activities of planning and management of emergencies. The main difficulty encountered when extending vulnerability evaluations to urban contexts is the definition of a framework of assessment appropriate for the specific characteristics of the site and providing reliable results with a reasonable duration of surveys and post-processing of data. The paper proposes a new procedure merging different typologies of information recognized on the territories investigated and for this reason called “hybrid.” Knowledge of historical events influencing urban evolution and analysis of recurrent building technologie…

Il travertino nella costruzione muraria ad Alcamo

2022

This study describes construction features typical of masonry buildings in the historic centre of Alcamo, Sicily. This local context is significant for the extent of the historic building stock and for the large use of travertine as traditional masonry material. The local availability of this rock is a peculiarity of Alcamo, in comparison with the rest of Sicily, and its use explains the originality of several construction details. The analysis exposed in this study is part of a wider research, aimed at developing a Sicilian database of mechanical and hygrothermal data for masonry tipologies. The historic tonewalls of Alcamo have been described by means of four masonry categories, whose mai…

Experimental Investigation on the Compressive Behaviour of Clay Brick Masonry Columns Confined by BFRP or Steel Wires

2016

This paper presents the results of an experimental research aiming to investigate on the compressive behavior of full size clay brick masonry columns reinforced with Basalt Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (BFRCM) or with steel wires collaring. Uniaxial compressive tests were performed on eight retrofitted columns and four control specimens. Two masonry strength were considered by varying the mortar grade. Results are presented and discussed in terms of axial stress-strain relationships, failure modes and crack patterns of the specimens tested up to failure. For the limit of investigated variables, comparisons with unreinforced specimens show the ability of these alternative techniques …

Cmentarz Sapieżyński w Stanisławowie

2021

This article presents the history of one of the largest Polish cemeteries in the Eastern Borderlands. Thousands of Poles, including artists, poets, writers, sculptors, prominent politicians, local government officials and soldiers fighting for Polish independence in various uprisings, were buried in the Sapieżyński Cemetery during its 200-year-long history. The necropolis was closed down by the Soviet authorities in 1980, and the entire area was bulldozed. Crushed tombstones were transported outside the city, and a theater building and a hotel were developed on the site. The paper recreates the cemetery’s history and tells the life stories of the most prominent individuals who were laid to …

The vegetation of a historic road system in the suburban area of Monte Pellegrino (Palermo, Sicily)

2020

Knowledge of the processes by which plants colonize old structures is a key element for nature-based design both in urban and suburban contexts. This paper analyses the natural vegetation on walls and in other microhabitats of the roadway structures of Monte Pellegrino (606 m a.s.l.) near Palermo (Sicily), built in the first half of the 1900s. The historical road has particular construction and architectural features, and its characteristics have been maintained to this day. The route, approximately 16 kilometers long, is well integrated within a site of high naturalistic value which has been designated as a Special Area of Conservation (ITA020014) of the Natura 2000 network, and it is also…

Experimental investigation on the effectiveness of basalt-fibre strengthening systems for confining masonry elements

L’impiego di materiali compositi per il rinforzo di colonne in muratura è diventato una pratica ampiamente diffusa nel corso degli ultimi decenni. Questa tecnica, che consiste generalmente nell’applicazione di materiali polimerici fibrorinforzati (Fibre Reinforced Polymer-FRP), ha mostrato buone potenzialità, essendo in grado di garantire notevoli incrementi di resistenza e duttilità dell’elemento rinforzato, grazie ad un’azione di confinamento passivo. Tuttavia, l’impiego di compositi a matrice polimerica presenta alcuni limiti legati soprattutto alle prestazioni delle resine epossidiche, che a causa della loro natura sintetica danno luogo a problemi di compatibilità con il supporto murari…