Effect of transversal steel connectors on the behavior of rubble stone-masonry walls: Two case studies in Italy

M. Candela, A. Borri, M. Corradi, L. Righetti

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Multi-leaf masonry walls are very common in historical constructions and have been primarily designed to resist vertical static loads. Recent earthquakes have shown their high vulnerability against dynamic horizontal and static compression loads which can easily produce the detachment of the different leaves and determine important damage and catastrophic consequences. An increasing interest in the conservation of historic masonry constructions has produced a need for new consolidation and retrofitting methods. With the aim of increasing the mechanical characteristics, the overall structural behaviour and ultimately the safety of multi-leaf masonry wall panels against out-of-plane collapse mechanisms, several reinforced techniques have been investigated. In this paper, a new strengthening system which consists in the application of a pre-loaded steel bar enclosed into a fabric protective bag-case, is investigated. The steel-bar connector is inserted into a pre-drilled hole made in the masonry in order to bond the masonry leaves and to prevent the detachment during seismic events; finally cement-based grout is injected at high pressure inside the fabric bag-case. The aim is to increase the collaboration between masonry leaves and increase the wall-capacity. The paper initially describes the reinforcement technique and its fields of application and expected benefits. In the second part, the paper addresses two case studies where this reinforcing method has been recently applied: the medieval castle of Laurenzana, located in the southern Italian region of Basilicata and a coeval 18th-century annex building nearby the Royal Palace of Capodimonte (Naples).

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationBrick and Block Masonry
Subtitle of host publicationTrends, Innovations and Challenges - Proceedings of the 16th International Brick and Block Masonry Conference, IBMAC 2016
EditorsC. Modena, F. da Porto, M.R. Valluzzi
Place of PublicationLondon
PublisherCRC Press
Pages2029-2038
Number of pages10
Edition1st
ISBN (Electronic)9781315374963
ISBN (Print)9781138029996
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Nov 2016
Event16th International Brick and Block Masonry Conference, IBMAC 2016 - Padova, Italy
Duration: 26 Jun 201630 Jun 2016

Publication series

NameBrick and Block Masonry: Trends, Innovations and Challenges - Proceedings of the 16th International Brick and Block Masonry Conference, IBMAC 2016

Conference

Conference16th International Brick and Block Masonry Conference, IBMAC 2016
Country/TerritoryItaly
CityPadova
Period26/06/1630/06/16

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effect of transversal steel connectors on the behavior of rubble stone-masonry walls: Two case studies in Italy'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this