Papers by Clara Bertolini-Cestari
Terfenadine and Fexofenadine Reduce in Vitro ICAM-1 Expression on Human Continuous Cell Lines
Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 1998
Epithelial cells and fibroblasts play an important role in allergic inflammation. Modulation of s... more Epithelial cells and fibroblasts play an important role in allergic inflammation. Modulation of surface expression of adhesion molecules on epithelial cells by antiallergic drugs has been shown by both in vivo and in vitro studies. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect exerted by terfenadine and fexofenadine on adhesion molecules expression (CD54/ICAM-1 and CD29) of a human continuously cultured conjunctival epithelial cell line (WK) and a fibroblast cell line (HEL). By means of flow cytometry analysis, we evaluated ICAM-1 and CD29 expression by WK and HEL epithelial cells in basal condition (at baseline) or after IFN gamma or TNF alpha stimulation in the presence or in the absence of terfenadine and fexofenadine. We also performed immunoenzymatic assays in order to evaluate soluble ICAM-1 released by WK cells and procollagen type I and III and IL6 released by HEL cells. Terfenadine and fexofenadine significantly reduced ICAM-1 basal expression on WK cells at the concentration of 1 microg/mL and 50 microg/mL, respectively. In addition, both terfenadine and fexofenadine were able to decrease soluble ICAM-1 levels in IFN gamma-stimulated WK cells. On HEL fibroblasts, fexofenadine only was able to inhibit ICAM-1 upregulation induced by IFN gamma. Concerning the release of fibroblast products, we observed a dose-dependent decrease of spontaneous IL6 release only in the presence of fexofenadine. This study shows that terfenadine and fexofenadine exert a biologic effect directly on epithelial cells and fibroblasts reducing ICAM-1 expression and partially reducing soluble ICAM-1 release.
Laser modeling and Structural assessment of a XVIIth century wooden dome Modelowanie laserowe ibo... more Laser modeling and Structural assessment of a XVIIth century wooden dome Modelowanie laserowe ibocena konstrukcyjna XVII-wiecznej drewnianej kopuïy
Rivista Tema
The paper presents a significant case study: the Church of San Giovanni Battista in Salbertrand d... more The paper presents a significant case study: the Church of San Giovanni Battista in Salbertrand dates back to the 16th century and constitutes one of the most interesting examples of religious architecture in the Susa Valley of the western Italian Alps. Its historic timber roof structure was once at risk of demolition, but in 2000 finally became the object of necessary preservation and reinforcement works. Here, the interdisciplinary studies carried out for the diagnosis and assessment of the state of conservation are presented, starting with the identification of the wood species used, the geometrical survey, the visual and NDT diagnosis of the timber elements, and the structural evaluation. A special section is dedicated to the dendrochronological analysis, with a comparison of different case studies regarding larch roof structures of other historic architectures located in the northwest of Italy. The tree-ring sequences obtained from the buildings presented have also been used to...
Retrofitting assessment and numerical models for the historical timber roof structures of the towers of Valentino castle in Turin
The paper analyses a reinforcement intervention conceived by one of the authors (C. Bertolini) an... more The paper analyses a reinforcement intervention conceived by one of the authors (C. Bertolini) and performed on the historical timber roof structure of the Valentino Castle in Torino (Italy) some thirty years ago. The timber roof of the towers, dating back to 17th century, is a three-dimensional frame structure with a height of about 12 m. In the transversal direction four main great trusses are present, and two small trusses are placed close to the transversal masonry walls. The pitch is strongly inclined. A ridge connects the structure in the longitudinal direction of the timber roof, in addition to five series of purlins and three orders of overlaid frames with stiffening functions. This structural complex is firmly secured to the covering planks that support the tiles of black stone. The intervention was carried out with timber elements anchored to the ancient masonry walls, in order to improve their seismic behaviour. This intervention proved to be particularly innovative, sinc...
The paper analyzes a series of reinforcement interventions performed on the historical timber roo... more The paper analyzes a series of reinforcement interventions performed on the historical timber roof structure of the Valentino Castle in Torino (Italy) some thirty years ago. It is not very common to be able to assess the durability of interventions without relying to accelerated ageing test. In this case a real structure is considered, which was consolidated by one of the authors (C. Bertolini) in the past. Recently the laser scanning survey has strengthened a relevant interest in sectors as monitoring and static assessment of building structures. The high detailed models which is possible to reach, and the chance to foresee the accuracy and the resolution of surface models, make them particularly adaptable for studies concerning conservation and maintenance of cultural heritage. The laser survey models is compared with the documentation of the intervention fulfilled three decades ago, in order to evidence the general safety level of whole complex. The fully three-dimensional geomet...
The Role of Terrestrial LiDAR for Mechanical and Safety Evaluation of Historic Timber Floors
Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, 2016
The paper describes an activity conducted by a multi-disciplinary research group (architecture, c... more The paper describes an activity conducted by a multi-disciplinary research group (architecture, civil engineering, technology, geomatics) for the mechanical evaluation of a timber floor belonging to a historic residential building located in the city center of Torino. The floor was made of beams of solid wood and wooden boards and presented a mid-span deflection. Since the floor structure was hidden by a suspended ceiling, the difficulty was to determine with precision all the geometrical characteristics of the main beam and its creep with the aim of verifying its mechanical resistance and stiffness. Through an accurate application of laser-scanner technique, it was possible to carry out the precise assessment of the structure.
The thin concrete vault of the Paraboloide of Casale, Italy. Innovative methodologies for the survey, structural assessment and conservation interventions
: The former clinker warehouse, also known as the "Paraboloide" of Casale is an archite... more : The former clinker warehouse, also known as the "Paraboloide" of Casale is an architectural symbol of the concrete Italian industrial heritage. The constructive technology and the structural shape of the thin concrete vault are comparable to the outstanding realizations achievements of the beginning of the XXth century, as for examples the works of E. Torroja and of P.L. Nervi. The metric survey has been achieved using high resolution terrestrial laser scanning technology (TLS), in order to obtain an accurate 3D model with uniform level of detail and precision, in addition to a continuous metric information for each portions and elements of the structure. This procedure allowed a proper reading of the structural typology of the building and the recognition of possible design and construction principles, essential for the conservation project. The laser survey was carried on both intrados and extrados of the huge parabolic vault, performing a high number of scan positions...
Preservation of the Large Timber Roof of the Porta Nuova Railway Station in Torino
Advanced Materials Research, 2013
Torino, in 1861, was the first capital of the just unified Reign of Italy. In the same year, Eng.... more Torino, in 1861, was the first capital of the just unified Reign of Italy. In the same year, Eng. A. Mazzucchetti was charged for the design of the railway station of Porta Nuova in Torino, in correspondence of the arrival of the railway connecting Genova. The original conception resembles the bilateral scheme of the King Cross station in London, which is few years older. The design and construction of the station deserved contributions from the most outstanding scientists of that time, including R. Sephenson who provided the details of the lateral roof structures of the station, and the young Eng. A. Castigliano who defended his thesis on the design of the great steel vault above the rails. The two main branches were conceived with masonry bearing structure and a wide span timber roof covered with stone plates. The station, during the years, was object of several interventions, including restorations, dismantling of parts, and changes in the destination of use. Nowadays, the roof s...
Advanced Materials Research, 2013
Nowadays, there is an increasing demand for detailed geometrical representation of the existing c... more Nowadays, there is an increasing demand for detailed geometrical representation of the existing cultural heritage, in particular to improve the comprehension of interactions between different phenomena and to allow a better decisional and planning process. The LiDAR technology (Light Detection and Ranging) can be adopted in different fields, ranging from aerial applications to mobile and terrestrial mapping systems. One of the main target of this study is to propose an integration of innovative and settled inquiring techniques, ranging from the reading of the technological system, to non-destructive tools for diagnosis and 3D metric modeling of buildings heritage. Many inquiring techniques, including Terrestrial Laser Scanner (TLS) method, have been exploited to study the main room of the Valentino Castle in Torino. The so-called “Salone delle Feste”, conceived in the XVIIth century under the guidance of Carlo di Castellamonte, has been selected as a test area. The beautiful frescos...
Materials and Structures, 2003
For several years innovative membranes that combine moisture barrier capability with relatively h... more For several years innovative membranes that combine moisture barrier capability with relatively high vapor permeability have been available. However, data are lacking that quantify their performance for specific roofing systems and, in particular, those used for historic building in Italy. Therefore in the present study we have characterized the vapor transmission performance of several of these high permeability membranes and compared them with more traditional low permeability ones. The characterization was both experimental and numeric: timber roof and concrete roof test samples with different moisture barrier membranes were first submitted to steady climatic conditions on opposite sides
Arsenal Project – the timber roof of tesone ‘111’: technological characteristics, dating and assessment of thermo-hygrometric behavior for a restored functionality proposal
Journal of Cultural Heritage, 2002
Abstract This paper is part of the research activities of the CNR Cultural Assets Finalized Proje... more Abstract This paper is part of the research activities of the CNR Cultural Assets Finalized Project linked with those of the MURST ex- 40% : ‘Venice Arsenal project’. The operating unit whose research findings are set forth below combines various disciplines: from technology of wood to structures, from dendrochronology to technical physics 〚1〛 , 〚2〛 , 〚3〛 , 〚4〛 , 〚5〛 , 〚6〛 . On the whole, the activities carried out referred to the timber roof of Shed 111 (Tesone) of the Arsenal ( Fig. 1 , Fig. 2 Download : Download high-res image (854KB) Download : Download full-size image Fig. 1 . Venice Arsenal: Shed 111: Overall view of the timber roof. Download : Download high-res image (953KB) Download : Download full-size image Fig. 2 . Venice Arsenal: Shed 111: detail of truss n° 10. ) with typological characterization of the roof, visual inspections of the wood trusses, assessment of the state of conservation of the framework, dating, xylotomic surveys, thermo-hygrometric evaluations. The result of such an activity is a good knowledge of the conditions of the wooden structure, a structure that dates back to the XVI century, and the proposal of generalized or punctual actions for its preservation, currently in danger. A series of laboratory tests and behavior simulations allowed the suggestion as well of retrofitting the roof as a ‘warm roof’.
Numerical Modeling and Assessment of the Ebe Schooner-Brig
International Journal of Architectural Heritage, 2012
The Ebe schooner-brig was built in 1921 and sailed the Mediterranean Sea for almost forty years b... more The Ebe schooner-brig was built in 1921 and sailed the Mediterranean Sea for almost forty years before being dissected into ninety parts to be transported to Milan (Italy). There, the schooner was reassembled, and the naval pavilion of the National Museum of Science and Technology was built up around the ship. After forty-five years in the museum, the ship presents significant deformations of both the deck and the keel, particularly in correspondence with the external supports. Despite several interventions in the past and a recent restoration, the deformation phenomenon is still worrying, and the real cause has yet to be understood. Experts have already advanced some hypotheses, often in opposition to one another, and unfortunately, a continuous monitoring of the ship deformation has not been installed. In the present paper, the schooner structure is modelled with the commercial finite element code Diana, considering a two-dimensional model of the ship section, and a three-dimensional model of the whole schooner, accounting for different levels of details and discretization. The obtained results allow for a deeper understanding of the stress-strain field in the schooner, providing a first safety assessment and useful hints for the design of the monitoring and future interventions.
Technology, Diagnosis and Structural Assessment on Timber Composite Beams in Venice Arsenal at the Biennale
Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, 2021
The main room of the Valentino Castle in Torino, the “Salone delle Feste”, was conceived and real... more The main room of the Valentino Castle in Torino, the “Salone delle Feste”, was conceived and realised in the XVIIth century under the guidance of Carlo di Castellamonte. The beautiful frescos and stuccoes of the domical vault are sustained by a typical Delorne carpentry, whose span is among the largest of their kind. The dome suffered from degradation during the years, and a series of interventions were put into place. Nowadays, a survey revealed that the suspender cables above the vault in the region close to the abutments have lost their tension. This may indicate an increase of the vault deformation; therefore a structural assessment of the dome is mandatory. In order to reinforce the structural hypothesis of damages and to reveal the deformation effects, a high detailed metric survey have been carried out with integrated laser scanning and digital close range photogrammetry. The photogrammetrical survey of frescos, with the re-projection of images on vault surface model (texture...
Nanostructured material for durability and restoration of wooden surfaces in architecture and civil engineering
The present paper addresses to the latest technological innovations concerning nanostructured-mat... more The present paper addresses to the latest technological innovations concerning nanostructured-materials, their wood surface protection functions, and describing the potential usage in the field of architecture, civil engineering and cultural heritage. The research briefly describes the existing nanomaterials, their classification and compatibility with the different wooden species. The technology used in this study is water soluble and water-borne organ-functional silane system which desires small depth of penetration by controlled molecular dimension. Defining operative procedures of application with the aim of testing the depth of penetration and the efficacy of the consolidation we find that a novel impregnation system for wooden surfaces could increase durability properties. Additionally, nanoparticles of silver and copper have extremely large relative surface area, increasing their contact with bacteria or fungi, and improving bactericidal and fungicidal effects by adversely af...
Meccanica, 2013
The paper describes an experimental research activity on the application of a polymeric resin rei... more The paper describes an experimental research activity on the application of a polymeric resin reinforced with carbon nanotubes on an ancient timber structures belonging to cultural heritage (Bertolini
Multi-Disciplinary Methodological Approaches for the Understanding of the Structural Behaviour. Analysis and Diagnosis
4 Soprintendenza per i Beni architettonici, per il paesaggio e per il patrimonio artistico e Demo... more 4 Soprintendenza per i Beni architettonici, per il paesaggio e per il patrimonio artistico e Demoetnologico di Venezia e laguna
The Great Timber Roof of Porta Nuova Railway Station in Turin: The Role of Assessment and Diagnosis for Sustainable Repair and Conservation
International Journal of Architectural Heritage, 2018
ABSTRACT This article illustrates a wide multidisciplinary project carried out as part of recent ... more ABSTRACT This article illustrates a wide multidisciplinary project carried out as part of recent restoration works of the great timber roof of Porta Nuova Railway Station in Turin (Italy). The station was built in 1861 (project by A. Mazzucchetti and A. Castigliano), when Turin was the first capital of Italy. In recent years, the roof needed important maintenance and restoration interventions due to water leaking which caused the decay of the timber structure. The original roof was under threat also because there was a proposal for the complete substitution of the timber elements (in a total of 2350 m2). However after accurate assessment and diagnosis (following recent regulations) it was possible to save the original timber structure and to plan and realize sustainable interventions for repair and conservation with innovative technologies. This was carried out within a complex restoration site of the whole building.
Conservation of historic timber roof structures of Italian architectural heritage: diagnosis, assessment, and intervention
International Journal of Architectural Heritage
ABSTRACT In the context of our architectural heritage, timber structures represent an important s... more ABSTRACT In the context of our architectural heritage, timber structures represent an important sector in terms of historical relevance, architectural technology, and construction materials. In the past, these structures did not receive much attention in terms of conservation: they were frequently subject to inappropriate interventions or demolitions. Roof structures constitute an integral part of the architectural complex in which they are located and should be treated with the same attention and respect due to their historical significance. The conservation process of these structures has found a proper role in the preservation project partly as a result of technological innovations and regulations of the sector of wooden artefacts belonging to cultural heritage. This article presents multi-disciplinary research projects for the conservation and rehabilitation of historic timber roof structures carried out over a period of 30 years. The study involved ten roofs mainly belonging to the architectural heritage of northern Italy, of which five of them are included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
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Papers by Clara Bertolini-Cestari