In order to assess the seismic vulnerability of existing buildings, the Italian structural codes ... more In order to assess the seismic vulnerability of existing buildings, the Italian structural codes require that the geometric characteristics of the structural elements and the mechanical characteristics of the materials shall be determined through diagnostic investigations. The level of deepening of the investigations carried out depends on the Level of Knowledge (LC) achieved; on this basis it is determined a Confiance Factor (FC) which must be applied in the subsequent verification activity to reduce the mechanical characteristics determined for the materials in the diagnostic way. Furthermore the legislation identifies the buildings that are “strategical” because of the effects consequent the seismic events: on these buildings the vulnerability assessment is mandatory. The paper describes the diagnostic activities carried out on some buildings located in Trentino Alto Adige (Northern Italy) built between the mid-19th c. and the first decades of the 20th c., which were originally i...
The test methods currently available to determine the shear behavior of masonry structures doesn&... more The test methods currently available to determine the shear behavior of masonry structures doesn't fit to the execution of in situ tests on existing buildings (and especially the heritage ones) due to the fact that they are usually strongly destructive. Another relevant consideration is linked to the method of preparation of the sample, that causes damages that can reduce the mechanical characteristics of the masonry itself: there is a significant doubt about the effective representativeness of the results obtained with the in situ application of the current standards. It has been developed by the authors a new testing technique based on the use of flat jacks that, belonging to the category of slightly destructive test methods, allows to greatly reduce the impact of the tests on the buildings and then to apply them to a wide range of cases. In order to test this new technique (called FJ-SCT method ) they were built in laboratory a series of brick walls similar for texture, compo...
On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the end of WW1, the Italian Presidency of the Ministe... more On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the end of WW1, the Italian Presidency of the Ministers Council has planned a wide series of conservation and valorisation works for buildings and monuments dedicated to the memory of the war victims. Among them is also included the restoration work of the Ossuary Temple at Bassano del Grappa (VI ITALY). The building, which is the burial place of 5405 soldiers who died during the fighting on the nearby Grappa front, is actually shaped as a great church built between 1908 and 1934. Its construction, carried out in several stages, has consequently resulted in many interruptions and modifications, with changes of material, constructive techniques and also decorative and constructive programs. The identification of these changes and of the consequent problems and decays, required a diagnostic campaign for the study of original materials, degradation pathologies and conservation materials that could respond to the many doubts about the methods ...
This text describes the pattern that has been followed for drafting the conservation plan of the ... more This text describes the pattern that has been followed for drafting the conservation plan of the mural paintings in S. Maria Maddalena church. The conservation project of the building and its interiors is focused on a multidisciplinary approach. It has been drawn up with the collaboration of several professionals engaged together from the beginning of the conservation process. These different skills have gathered up relevant results which have been able to provide a set of information related to the comprehension of the building, meant as a complex system. The main goal is to integrate all this data with the support of each different discipline, querying each professional’s specific answers in order to outline a holistic view of the topic. Through this method it has been possible to set up the criteria for the conservation project, based on the issues of preventive and planned conservation.
The evaluation of the seismic behaviour of existing buildings is a problem increasingly felt in I... more The evaluation of the seismic behaviour of existing buildings is a problem increasingly felt in Italy, with reference principally to the many earthquakes recently occurred. For the historical buildings this behaviour is strongly related to the shear strength and stiffness of masonry walls. The test methods currently available to determine the shear behaviour of the walls require the application of load through the use of cylindrical jacks and generally they have a character of high destructiveness. So these methods are not practically applicable to existing buildings, if they have an heritage value and if they are not previously badly damaged. It has been developed by the authors a new testing technique based on the use of flat jacks that, belonging to the category of slightly destructive test methods, allows to greatly reduce the impact of the tests on the buildings and then to apply them to a wide range of cases. In order to test this new technique (FJ-SCT method) they were built ...
Ganda Bridge at Morbegno is located in the north of Italy, across the Adda river, about 15 km ups... more Ganda Bridge at Morbegno is located in the north of Italy, across the Adda river, about 15 km upstream from the Como Lake, in the very heart of the Alpine Chain. The original bridge was built during the Renaissance by the famous architect Johanne Antonio Amadeo, chief engineer of the Duke of Milan. However, during its lifetime the bridge was damaged by numerous river floods and war episodes, until in 1772 it was so badly damaged by a river flood complete reconstruction was necessary. At Ambrosiana Library in Milan many documents are filed dealing with this work of reconstruction, allowing a detailed knowledge of the design specification of a bridge construction work dated during the late XVIII century.
European historic bridges are made with a wide range of different materials (from masonry to wood... more European historic bridges are made with a wide range of different materials (from masonry to wooden trusses to R.C. structures) and they present differently shaped structural elements (foundation poles, piers, shoulders, deck). If we also consider the differences in conservation and decay of the mechanical characteristic of the materials, it is possible to have an idea of the complexity of the definition of the parameters required for the static and seismic safety assessment of such structures. Italian structural codes for the assessment and reduction of seismic hazard of cultural heritage state the knowledge of an historical construction to be the fundamental pre-requisite to obtain a reliable assessment of the structural condition of the construction. Accordingly they define a specific “path of knowledge” aimed at the identification of relevant geometric and structural information. This allows a level of knowledge to be reached that is suitable for implementing a structural model ...
Following the experience acquired in the Distretto Culturale della Valtellina (Valtellina Cultura... more Following the experience acquired in the Distretto Culturale della Valtellina (Valtellina Cultural District) project, the territory was stimulated to further strengthen the relationship between culture, heritage/cultural landscape and the economy. The process emphasized the need to implement positive synergies across these fields and to experiment models of collaboration, which due to the distinctive features of the Valtellina valley hinge on an appropriate development of cultural tourism. The cultural landscape of the Valtellina terraced area was identified as the first asset from which to begin to develop a quality tourism policy. The idea is to create a walking and cycling route called ‘Via dei Terrazzamenti’ (The Route of Terraces), linking existing routes and paths (thus minimizing environmental impact) and allowing tourists to visit the terraced landscape. This has resulted in the local community acquiring a greater awareness of its territory and offering tourists an interesti...
The knowledge of shear characteristics of masonry buildings is fundamental to assess their seismi... more The knowledge of shear characteristics of masonry buildings is fundamental to assess their seismic strength. However the current standardized tests proved not to be suitable for the in situ shear characterization of existing structures, as they are strongly destructive. A new testing method based on the use of flat jacks (FJ-SCT Method) has been developed by the authors: it allows to greatly reducing the impact of the tests on the building. A calibration campaign was performed both in laboratory and in situ to evaluate the operability of the defined procedures and it proved the method to be reliable, efficient and repeatable. This technique is particularly useful for the evaluation of the improvement of masonry shear characteristics through the application of strengthening techniques. Specific tests were performed on buildings seriously damaged by the 2012 Emilia earthquake to analyze the efficiency of masonry reinforcements. The shear tests were performed on samples of the original...
The test methods currently used to assess the shear characteristics of masonry structures does no... more The test methods currently used to assess the shear characteristics of masonry structures does not fit with the execution of in situ tests on existing buildings (especially heritage buildings) because they are usually strongly destructive. Furthermore the method of preparation of the sample causes damages that can reduce the mechanical characteristics of the masonry: for these reasons there are significant doubts about the effective representativeness of the results obtained from these methods. A new in situ testing technique (named FJ-SCT Method) has been developed by the authors based on the use of flat jacks to apply the horizontal load: this allows a great reduction in the impact of the test and therefore it makes the testing technique applicable on existing buildings. A calibration campaign was performed both in laboratory using a special testing frame and in situ (on Italian buildings seriously damaged by the 2012 Emilia earthquake) to evaluate the operability of the defined p...
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the unprecedented... more Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the unprecedented global COVID-19 pandemic that has prompted attempts to mitigate its rapid transmission. A major barrier has been a limited understanding of the mechanisms that underlie its pathogenesis. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) 2 may be an important receptor that the virus targets to establish infection, and this is upregulated with ACE inhibitor and angiotensinreceptor blocker (ARB) therapy. It has been suggested that avoidance of ACE inhibitor/ARB therapy may be advisable due to the theoretical risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in these patients. A review of the literature to further investigate this possibility corroborated the significance of ACE2 for viral entry of SARS-CoV-2. However, the development of potentially fatal respiratory complications (i.e. acute respiratory distress syndrome) appears to be influenced by a downregulation of ACE2 activity, rather than an increase. The literature suggests ACE2 has a protective role against lung injury by cleaving angiotensin II (Ang II). The effects of this are twofold: accumulated Ang II is associated with more pronounced lung deterioration, and the loss of its degradation products that have anti-inflammatory properties enables unopposed lung destruction to take place. There is emerging evidence that this is also true for SARS-CoV-2 infection; increased viral load is associated with higher Ang II and extent of lung damage. Overall, the evidence indicates that the respiratory complications in severe cases SARS-CoV-2 infection may be due to decreased, rather than increased ACE2 activity. As such, discontinuation of ACE inhibitor/ARB therapy is currently not warranted.
Structural Studies, Repairs and Maintenance of Heritage Architecture XIV, 2015
The old bridge across the Brenta River in Bassano del Grappa (Italy) is documented since 1209; th... more The old bridge across the Brenta River in Bassano del Grappa (Italy) is documented since 1209; the current bridge was built by Andrea Palladio in 1569 and it is described in a table of his treatise "The Four Books of Architecture". The structure was repaired many times because of river floods and damages caused by war, but the one that is admired today is essentially the same bridge designed by the famous architect. The structure is a 5 span truss bridge, made entirely with wooden framework. In recent years significant deformations of the deck have caused concerns about its stability. In 2014 the bridge was subjected to a thorough diagnostic campaign to assess its structural conditions. An accurate survey using laser scanning provided the precise measurement of subsidence and deformation of the current structure, which were recognized as very relevant. To carry out the consequent inspection, it was necessary to have direct access to the structural elements with positioning techniques by ropes. In this way excessive overload to the already damaged bridge and limitations to the passage on the roadway were avoided. This technique also provided an economic saving for the municipality. The direct inspection has allowed close observation of the wooden trusses in order to detect sections, construction details and reinforcing elements (plates, bolts, tie rods). The visual inspection of all structural elements has provided the preliminary survey of the state of degradation of the wood, and additional direct tests were performed by a mechanical drilling instrument (Resistograph). To complete the analysis micro-sampling and macroscopic analysis allowed the identification of the species of wood.
An NDT campaign was performed in 2014 to assess the structural conditions of the two bridges over... more An NDT campaign was performed in 2014 to assess the structural conditions of the two bridges over the river Brenta in Bassano del Grappa, Italy. A major problem in the execution of these inspection activities was related to the access to the structures: the investigation was therefore carried out with the use of ropes as positioning and access devices: engineers and technicians were able to make the inspection and to reach the test points without restrictions for traffic and moreover with effective cost savings for the client. The old timber bridge, designed by Andrea Palladio in 1569, was carefully analysed by laser-scanning survey that provided detailed information about its current deformation pattern. The visual inspection of all the structural members was accomplished through the assessment of the state of deterioration of the wooden trusses; direct tests on wooden elements were performed by mechanical drilling instrument, and micro-sampling and macroscopic analysis allowed the...
In order to assess the seismic vulnerability of existing buildings, the Italian structural codes ... more In order to assess the seismic vulnerability of existing buildings, the Italian structural codes require that the geometric characteristics of the structural elements and the mechanical characteristics of the materials shall be determined through diagnostic investigations. The level of deepening of the investigations carried out depends on the Level of Knowledge (LC) achieved; on this basis it is determined a Confiance Factor (FC) which must be applied in the subsequent verification activity to reduce the mechanical characteristics determined for the materials in the diagnostic way. Furthermore the legislation identifies the buildings that are “strategical” because of the effects consequent the seismic events: on these buildings the vulnerability assessment is mandatory. The paper describes the diagnostic activities carried out on some buildings located in Trentino Alto Adige (Northern Italy) built between the mid-19th c. and the first decades of the 20th c., which were originally i...
The test methods currently available to determine the shear behavior of masonry structures doesn&... more The test methods currently available to determine the shear behavior of masonry structures doesn't fit to the execution of in situ tests on existing buildings (and especially the heritage ones) due to the fact that they are usually strongly destructive. Another relevant consideration is linked to the method of preparation of the sample, that causes damages that can reduce the mechanical characteristics of the masonry itself: there is a significant doubt about the effective representativeness of the results obtained with the in situ application of the current standards. It has been developed by the authors a new testing technique based on the use of flat jacks that, belonging to the category of slightly destructive test methods, allows to greatly reduce the impact of the tests on the buildings and then to apply them to a wide range of cases. In order to test this new technique (called FJ-SCT method ) they were built in laboratory a series of brick walls similar for texture, compo...
On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the end of WW1, the Italian Presidency of the Ministe... more On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the end of WW1, the Italian Presidency of the Ministers Council has planned a wide series of conservation and valorisation works for buildings and monuments dedicated to the memory of the war victims. Among them is also included the restoration work of the Ossuary Temple at Bassano del Grappa (VI ITALY). The building, which is the burial place of 5405 soldiers who died during the fighting on the nearby Grappa front, is actually shaped as a great church built between 1908 and 1934. Its construction, carried out in several stages, has consequently resulted in many interruptions and modifications, with changes of material, constructive techniques and also decorative and constructive programs. The identification of these changes and of the consequent problems and decays, required a diagnostic campaign for the study of original materials, degradation pathologies and conservation materials that could respond to the many doubts about the methods ...
This text describes the pattern that has been followed for drafting the conservation plan of the ... more This text describes the pattern that has been followed for drafting the conservation plan of the mural paintings in S. Maria Maddalena church. The conservation project of the building and its interiors is focused on a multidisciplinary approach. It has been drawn up with the collaboration of several professionals engaged together from the beginning of the conservation process. These different skills have gathered up relevant results which have been able to provide a set of information related to the comprehension of the building, meant as a complex system. The main goal is to integrate all this data with the support of each different discipline, querying each professional’s specific answers in order to outline a holistic view of the topic. Through this method it has been possible to set up the criteria for the conservation project, based on the issues of preventive and planned conservation.
The evaluation of the seismic behaviour of existing buildings is a problem increasingly felt in I... more The evaluation of the seismic behaviour of existing buildings is a problem increasingly felt in Italy, with reference principally to the many earthquakes recently occurred. For the historical buildings this behaviour is strongly related to the shear strength and stiffness of masonry walls. The test methods currently available to determine the shear behaviour of the walls require the application of load through the use of cylindrical jacks and generally they have a character of high destructiveness. So these methods are not practically applicable to existing buildings, if they have an heritage value and if they are not previously badly damaged. It has been developed by the authors a new testing technique based on the use of flat jacks that, belonging to the category of slightly destructive test methods, allows to greatly reduce the impact of the tests on the buildings and then to apply them to a wide range of cases. In order to test this new technique (FJ-SCT method) they were built ...
Ganda Bridge at Morbegno is located in the north of Italy, across the Adda river, about 15 km ups... more Ganda Bridge at Morbegno is located in the north of Italy, across the Adda river, about 15 km upstream from the Como Lake, in the very heart of the Alpine Chain. The original bridge was built during the Renaissance by the famous architect Johanne Antonio Amadeo, chief engineer of the Duke of Milan. However, during its lifetime the bridge was damaged by numerous river floods and war episodes, until in 1772 it was so badly damaged by a river flood complete reconstruction was necessary. At Ambrosiana Library in Milan many documents are filed dealing with this work of reconstruction, allowing a detailed knowledge of the design specification of a bridge construction work dated during the late XVIII century.
European historic bridges are made with a wide range of different materials (from masonry to wood... more European historic bridges are made with a wide range of different materials (from masonry to wooden trusses to R.C. structures) and they present differently shaped structural elements (foundation poles, piers, shoulders, deck). If we also consider the differences in conservation and decay of the mechanical characteristic of the materials, it is possible to have an idea of the complexity of the definition of the parameters required for the static and seismic safety assessment of such structures. Italian structural codes for the assessment and reduction of seismic hazard of cultural heritage state the knowledge of an historical construction to be the fundamental pre-requisite to obtain a reliable assessment of the structural condition of the construction. Accordingly they define a specific “path of knowledge” aimed at the identification of relevant geometric and structural information. This allows a level of knowledge to be reached that is suitable for implementing a structural model ...
Following the experience acquired in the Distretto Culturale della Valtellina (Valtellina Cultura... more Following the experience acquired in the Distretto Culturale della Valtellina (Valtellina Cultural District) project, the territory was stimulated to further strengthen the relationship between culture, heritage/cultural landscape and the economy. The process emphasized the need to implement positive synergies across these fields and to experiment models of collaboration, which due to the distinctive features of the Valtellina valley hinge on an appropriate development of cultural tourism. The cultural landscape of the Valtellina terraced area was identified as the first asset from which to begin to develop a quality tourism policy. The idea is to create a walking and cycling route called ‘Via dei Terrazzamenti’ (The Route of Terraces), linking existing routes and paths (thus minimizing environmental impact) and allowing tourists to visit the terraced landscape. This has resulted in the local community acquiring a greater awareness of its territory and offering tourists an interesti...
The knowledge of shear characteristics of masonry buildings is fundamental to assess their seismi... more The knowledge of shear characteristics of masonry buildings is fundamental to assess their seismic strength. However the current standardized tests proved not to be suitable for the in situ shear characterization of existing structures, as they are strongly destructive. A new testing method based on the use of flat jacks (FJ-SCT Method) has been developed by the authors: it allows to greatly reducing the impact of the tests on the building. A calibration campaign was performed both in laboratory and in situ to evaluate the operability of the defined procedures and it proved the method to be reliable, efficient and repeatable. This technique is particularly useful for the evaluation of the improvement of masonry shear characteristics through the application of strengthening techniques. Specific tests were performed on buildings seriously damaged by the 2012 Emilia earthquake to analyze the efficiency of masonry reinforcements. The shear tests were performed on samples of the original...
The test methods currently used to assess the shear characteristics of masonry structures does no... more The test methods currently used to assess the shear characteristics of masonry structures does not fit with the execution of in situ tests on existing buildings (especially heritage buildings) because they are usually strongly destructive. Furthermore the method of preparation of the sample causes damages that can reduce the mechanical characteristics of the masonry: for these reasons there are significant doubts about the effective representativeness of the results obtained from these methods. A new in situ testing technique (named FJ-SCT Method) has been developed by the authors based on the use of flat jacks to apply the horizontal load: this allows a great reduction in the impact of the test and therefore it makes the testing technique applicable on existing buildings. A calibration campaign was performed both in laboratory using a special testing frame and in situ (on Italian buildings seriously damaged by the 2012 Emilia earthquake) to evaluate the operability of the defined p...
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the unprecedented... more Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the unprecedented global COVID-19 pandemic that has prompted attempts to mitigate its rapid transmission. A major barrier has been a limited understanding of the mechanisms that underlie its pathogenesis. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) 2 may be an important receptor that the virus targets to establish infection, and this is upregulated with ACE inhibitor and angiotensinreceptor blocker (ARB) therapy. It has been suggested that avoidance of ACE inhibitor/ARB therapy may be advisable due to the theoretical risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in these patients. A review of the literature to further investigate this possibility corroborated the significance of ACE2 for viral entry of SARS-CoV-2. However, the development of potentially fatal respiratory complications (i.e. acute respiratory distress syndrome) appears to be influenced by a downregulation of ACE2 activity, rather than an increase. The literature suggests ACE2 has a protective role against lung injury by cleaving angiotensin II (Ang II). The effects of this are twofold: accumulated Ang II is associated with more pronounced lung deterioration, and the loss of its degradation products that have anti-inflammatory properties enables unopposed lung destruction to take place. There is emerging evidence that this is also true for SARS-CoV-2 infection; increased viral load is associated with higher Ang II and extent of lung damage. Overall, the evidence indicates that the respiratory complications in severe cases SARS-CoV-2 infection may be due to decreased, rather than increased ACE2 activity. As such, discontinuation of ACE inhibitor/ARB therapy is currently not warranted.
Structural Studies, Repairs and Maintenance of Heritage Architecture XIV, 2015
The old bridge across the Brenta River in Bassano del Grappa (Italy) is documented since 1209; th... more The old bridge across the Brenta River in Bassano del Grappa (Italy) is documented since 1209; the current bridge was built by Andrea Palladio in 1569 and it is described in a table of his treatise "The Four Books of Architecture". The structure was repaired many times because of river floods and damages caused by war, but the one that is admired today is essentially the same bridge designed by the famous architect. The structure is a 5 span truss bridge, made entirely with wooden framework. In recent years significant deformations of the deck have caused concerns about its stability. In 2014 the bridge was subjected to a thorough diagnostic campaign to assess its structural conditions. An accurate survey using laser scanning provided the precise measurement of subsidence and deformation of the current structure, which were recognized as very relevant. To carry out the consequent inspection, it was necessary to have direct access to the structural elements with positioning techniques by ropes. In this way excessive overload to the already damaged bridge and limitations to the passage on the roadway were avoided. This technique also provided an economic saving for the municipality. The direct inspection has allowed close observation of the wooden trusses in order to detect sections, construction details and reinforcing elements (plates, bolts, tie rods). The visual inspection of all structural elements has provided the preliminary survey of the state of degradation of the wood, and additional direct tests were performed by a mechanical drilling instrument (Resistograph). To complete the analysis micro-sampling and macroscopic analysis allowed the identification of the species of wood.
An NDT campaign was performed in 2014 to assess the structural conditions of the two bridges over... more An NDT campaign was performed in 2014 to assess the structural conditions of the two bridges over the river Brenta in Bassano del Grappa, Italy. A major problem in the execution of these inspection activities was related to the access to the structures: the investigation was therefore carried out with the use of ropes as positioning and access devices: engineers and technicians were able to make the inspection and to reach the test points without restrictions for traffic and moreover with effective cost savings for the client. The old timber bridge, designed by Andrea Palladio in 1569, was carefully analysed by laser-scanning survey that provided detailed information about its current deformation pattern. The visual inspection of all the structural members was accomplished through the assessment of the state of deterioration of the wooden trusses; direct tests on wooden elements were performed by mechanical drilling instrument, and micro-sampling and macroscopic analysis allowed the...
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