Case Study: Seismic Retrofitting of a Medieval Bell Tower with FRP
Publication: Journal of Composites for Construction
Volume 11, Issue 3
Abstract
Seismic retrofitting of monument structures requires compliance with restrictive constraints related to the preservation of original artistic and structural features. Any conceived intervention must achieve structural performance yet still respect the appearance and structural mechanism of the original and be as minimally invasive as possible. Therefore, traditional retrofit strategies may not be suitable for such purposes, and structural engineers need to develop specific techniques. Innovative materials (e.g., composites) may be helpful, as demonstrated by the case study presented in this paper. Fiber-reinforced plastics (FRPs) were used for the design, analysis, and installation of the retrofit for the medieval bell tower in Serra San Quirico (Ancona, Italy). A FRP tie system is applied to the inner walls and anchored at the base by a reinforced concrete slab, independent of the tower’s foundation. The intervention enhances the seismic capacity of the structure and is fully provisional as it may be removed by heating the FRP with a hot air jet. The design process consisted of preliminary finite-element simulation and on-site structural assessment. Effectiveness is evaluated by a comparison of nonlinear static analyses (pushover) of the retrofitted and original structures. Finally, seismic risk reduction is computed by considering probabilistic seismic hazard at the site. Installation issues and the current appearance of the structure are also discussed.
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Acknowledgments
The writers would like to thank the past supervisor for the architectural heritage of Marche, architect Enrico Guglielmo; architects A. Cyrillo Gomes and G. Taccogni for reliefs and architectural aspects; Ph.E. S. Vitolo for aiding in analyses; and Professor A. Balsamo for the study of FRP installation details. The writers also acknowledge the contributions of STRAGO S.R.L., which performed dynamic structural assessment and materials investigations; Mapei S.p.A. for support on FRP materials they produce; and Mrs. Racquel K. Hagen for her substantial help in editing.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Composites for Construction
Volume 11 • Issue 3 • June 2007
Pages: 319 - 327
Copyright
© 2007 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 27, 2005
Accepted: Jul 13, 2006
Published online: Jun 1, 2007
Published in print: Jun 2007
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