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ACI 562-16 permits development and splice lengths of plain reinforcing bars to be assessed using code provisions that were in effect at the time of construction. However, previous research has shown that margins of safety provided by these provisions varied markedly between successive code editions and were unsafe for certain scenarios. A reliability-based equation, calibrated for safety in accordance with U.S. practice, is therefore developed from a test database of 29 viable splice specimens and 268 beam-end specimens. The subsequent comparison of results provided for plain bars using the proposed equation and those included in ACI 318-14 for deformed bars suggest that the historical rule-of-thumb that bottom-cast plain round bars require twice the development length of deformed bars is likely slightly conservative, while the considerable top-cast effect for plain bars results in their development length being almost three times that required for deformed bars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The geometry of historic masonry buildings can influence their seismic resistance. • Empirical rules bring us closer to relating seismic damage and structural arrangement. • Severe damage arose mainly in the slenderest mendicant temples in plan and elevation. • Classifying the mendicant temples helped to identify certain geometric parameters. The geometric configuration of the structure of the nave of conventual temples built by mendicant orders in Mexico during the 16th century and its relationship with the damage caused by the September 19, 2017, earthquake is studied. The area of study is the convent complexes of Morelos state, where the Franciscan, Dominican and Augustinian mendicant orders built their first architectural works outsaid the Mexico City. The type of vault, arrangement and proportions of the architectural plan of the nave and its structural elements were considered. With these data and with the support of traditional structural rules, it was possible to classify the nave of the church and relate basic geometric indicators with the damage produced by earthquakes. This empirical method allows us to identify one of the possible causes of the damage level related to the geometry of the structure and can serve as basis for rigorous and detailed studies that consider other factors influencing seismic behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Architecture as the making of metaphors is the study of effective design. One of the roles of conceptual metaphor is that it permits the user to form the concept of the virtual world from the aspect of time and the motion in the physical dimension of the architecture world. Utilizing metaphor to distinguish the secret attributes of the content is an indicative factor. The historical surroundings have contained and will contain during the time of natural actions and interventions from the human. One of the most important concerns in the preservation operation is the addition to the historical structures. It is the role of new and modern architecture styles to indicate the importance and architectural significance of historical structures. One of the main concerns in the field of conservation is attributed to the relationship between the historical structures and contemporary modern additions. In most cases, the modern additions influence the primary building to display its mental image to the users. The present research aims to study the metaphoric viewpoints of new additions to historic buildings in the historical context and recognize the appropriate balance between these two concepts. For this aim, two case studies were analyzed with the methodology that considers the metaphoric aspects of the new additions.

The Tuscan Landscape plan reads the dimension of history in a coevolutionary way between the man and the environment. To illustrate the consistency of these processes and their outcomes, the Plan has prepared a number of products, from the landscape heritage maps to the studies included in the “Interpretive description” concerning the great phases of geological structuring, those of territorialisation and the ‘artialisation’ processes - as the French would call it. Moreover, the Plan has devoted a dedicated study to the historical landscapes, tracing the founding matrices of the current configurations. The historical landscape structures identified and described in these products have a testimonial, cultural and aesthetic-perceptual value which is at once a functional and economic one. They contain principles of sustainable use of territories concerning hydro-geomorphologic balance, settlement stability and quality, preservation of biodiversity and ecological connectivity, the agricultural productivity functions and so on. Principles that the Plan aimed at re-actualizing as rules ordinarily orientating territorial transformation. In this view, the Plan suggests an interpretation of landscape heritage as a carpentry of innovation, as a framework on which we can build the future territorial and landscape project.

The "Walled Obelisk" is a 32.77-meter high, 2x2 meter mean square, rough-cut limestone monument that is becoming thinner to the four-sided hill. This monument is in a very sensitive seismic region of the World-Istanbul and remains intact from the time of its construction (approximately tenth century) to the present despite all seismic activity during that time. The current study extracts and investigates a mathematical model of the monument, which reveals that support of the structure incorporates a "natural seismic isolator" that demonstrates behavior similar to current used lead-core rubber-bearings isolator (LRB). The total height of the "natural seismic isolator" is 3.44 m. and consists of three-steps of rough-cut limestone and a massive marble stone that forms four sliding surfaces bonded with Horasan mortar. The components of the "natural seismic isolator" form four sliding surfaces and appear to function similar to LRB's combined layers of steel plates and hard rubber. The massive marble stone appears to function like the lead cylinder core of the LRB. The "natural seismic isolator" demonstrates fully plastic behavior and differs from the LRB by maintaining the monument's upper part in equilibrium during earthquake excitation, which also varies near zero equilibrium. During this study's comparison of the isolator's use of the expression, "similar" is frequent used in this meaning, and the comparison uses a fixed base model of the monument that cannot reciprocate during recovery from earthquakes over the 1000-year history. The proposed model of "natural seismic isolation" from historical experience (for this monument, 1000 years), suggests that the easily constructed natural isolator requires no special maintenance, and is suitable for modern structures in seismic regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ransome bars were used to reinforce concrete structures until approximately the mid-1950s in the United States and Canada. However, historical editions of the ACI code do not clearly state whether provisions for average bond stress for typical deformed bars apply equally to Ransome bars. An experimental investigation of splice specimens reinforced with cold-twisted Ransome bars was therefore conducted. The required splice length of these bars was established and compared to that calculated for modern deformed bars using provisions in ACI 318-14 and shows that a multiplier of 1.25 for Ransome bars appears reasonable provided that a top cast factor that better represents these bars is also incorporated. The flexural resistance of members reinforced with Ransome bars must also take into account the sudden nature of the anticipated failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing suitable tools to assess the actual structural performance and designing and executing interventions to improve that performance is a key issue in the field of conservation and enhancement of architectural heritage. This article presents the results of five full-scale destructive tests performed on the Castello di San Pietro in Verona (North-East Italy), a building set on a hill above the city and going back to the 19th century under the Habsburg Empire. It evaluates the behavior of the barrel vaults of 5.6 m span, 1.1 m rise, and 27 cm thickness in the original building. Although experimental work is common in the relevant literature, the testing program described here was not performed on reconstructed vaults but on original elements, which can reveal their real behavior more clearly. Four strengthening solutions were also evaluated, in which organic and inorganic fibers were applied to both types of matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An integrated investigation of engineering archaeometry was carried out using dynamic identification, dynamic monitoring and Infra-Red (IR) thermography for the study of the dynamic behavior of Mallorca cathedral in Spain. The cathedral is a large historical masonry structure built during 14-16th c. Dynamic identification and monitoring allowed the capturing of eight natural frequencies of the cathedral. IR thermography was used as a complementary inspection technique in the context of a continuous monitoring. Usually, IR thermography is used punctually for the inspection of a part of an inspected structure. Here an alternative was tried as the IR camera was installed for two two-weeks periods in the winter and in the summer of 2011 to monitor the stone surface temperature of a large portion of the cathedral. The correlation between the cathedral natural frequencies and the stone surface temperature of some selected structural elements was investigated and compared with the correlation with the external and the internal temperatures. It was found that the correlation with stone surface temperature was lower than that with external temperature. The study allowed a better understanding of the influence of temperature changes on the structure's dynamic behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to present adopted material properties of masonry elements to historical mosque and bridge structures. The importance of this study is to adopt correct material properties with reliable reference according to material types and structure types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Simple sensor network containing a modest quantity of accelerometers is erected along with the height of monitored minarets. • A quick and robust normalization scheme is proposed to detect typical failure scenarios of slender masonry minarets. • The normalizing point is located from low to high positions to figure out the changes in the fundamental mode shape. • Reliable damage detection is attained as long as the modal data is noise-free or reasonable-level noise-contaminated. Historical, cultural, and artistic masonry structures like minarets constructed in regions prone to dynamic effects such as strong winds and earthquakes are vulnerable as a consequence of their slenderness and brittle materials. Structural health monitoring (SHM) has not been employed adequately in the regular control of minarets' integrity for early warning of disaster. Meanwhile, the protection and preservation of such a cultural inheritance are acute. A non-model-based normalization scheme is proposed to detect damage in minarets based only on the changes in terms of the fundamental mode shape generated by a modest quantity of accelerometers. The backbone idea lies in the similarities in terms of the fundamental mode shape between slender minarets and beam-like structures. Particularly, the modal amplitudes below a specific normalizing node change significantly if damage occurs below this point. Thereby, moving upward the location of this point straightforwardly leads to damage detection of minarets. The proposed technique is implemented on Hacılar mosque's minaret (24.25 m high) built in 1467 in Bursa city, Türkiye. Reliable damage prediction is attained as long as the modal information is noise-free or reasonable-level noise-polluted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assessment of historical structures technical condition is difficult due to the lack of technical documentation and inability to clearly identify the strength-strain characteristics of materials, from which they were erected. Thus, creating numerical models of objects made many years ago, is very complicated and the results reliability is very limited. The article describes an example of structural health monitoring system application, which aim was to perform continuous, remote and automatic measurements of selected physical quantities, important for crack state estimation in the walls and other structural members in historic, parish St. John the Baptist Church in Jangrot (Poland). When designing the system, the attention was paid to minimize costs by selecting optimum number of measuring points and an appropriate measuring technology, as well as a small interference in historical substance. Measurement data collected during 12 months were the basis for assessment of structure technical condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clay brick is the most common construction material used in the historical buildings of Diyarbakır (Turkey). Many clay brick manufacturing workshops and numerous brick masters have emerged. Diyarbakir currently has two clay brick workshops that face the problem of being closed down. Therefore, manufacturing of clay brick by traditional methods may be forgotten in Diyarbakir. This study investigates the manufacturing phases of traditional clay bricks in Diyarbakir׳s local workshops, which have not been documented. The manufacturing phases of the clay bricks in Diyarbakır were examined for the first time based on in-situ observations, investigations, and interviews. The research indicated the general phases of clay brick manufacturing. Raw materials are first prepared, formed, and dried. The firing of clay bricks is then performed through hacking, heating, burning, cooling, and de-hacking. The clay bricks are finally packaged and dispatched. The traditional manufacturing of clay brick methods in Diyarbakır is similar in many regions of the world. The clay bricks are currently and extensively used in the restoration of historic structures. Therefore, their production must be continuous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Masonry structures are complex systems that require detailed knowledge and information regarding their response under seismic excitations. Appropriate modelling of a masonry structure is a prerequisite for a reliable earthquake-resistant design and/or assessment. However, modelling a real structure with a robust quantitative (mathematical) representation is a very difficult, complex and computationally-demanding task. The paper herein presents a new stochastic computational framework for earthquake-resistant design of masonry structural systems. The proposed framework is based on the probabilistic behavior of crucial parameters, such as material strength and seismic characteristics, and utilizes fragility analysis based on different failure criteria for the masonry material. The application of the proposed methodology is illustrated in the case of a historical and monumental masonry structure, namely the assessment of the seismic vulnerability of the Kaisariani Monastery, a byzantine church that was built in Athens, Greece, at the end of the 11th to the beginning of the 12th century. Useful conclusions are drawn regarding the effectiveness of the intervention techniques used for the reduction of the vulnerability of the case-study structure, by means of comparison of the results obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Textile Reinforced Mortars (TRMs) have found extensive attention for externally bonded reinforcement of masonry and historical structures. However, only few information is available regarding their mechanical properties and effectiveness in improving the seismic performance of strengthened structures. This paper presents an extensive numerical investigation on the effect of TRM composites on the nonlinear response and failure modes of masonry walls. The effect of boundary conditions and the TRM type on the performance of strengthened walls are critically discussed and presented. It is shown that the performance and failure mode of the walls can significantly change after strengthening, an important issue that should be considered at the design stage. Finally, the effect of TRM application on the nonlinear response of a large historical masonry façade in Macau is investigated and presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presented research aimed at studying the dynamic behavior of Mallorca cathedral (Mallorca Island, Spain) under ambient sources of vibration and seismic events. The cathedral is one of the greatest built masonry structures worldwide. It is characterized for its audacious dimensions and slender structural members. Because of it, the study of its dynamic behavior is a clear concern. The cathedral dynamic properties were firstly identified using ambient vibration testing. Afterwards, a dynamic monitoring system was implemented to continuously measure, record, and wirelessly transfer the acceleration records without having to set up an activating threshold. This monitoring type was implemented because of the low seismic intensity of Mallorca Island with a basic ground acceleration of only 0.04 g according to the Spanish seismic standard. The continuous monitoring allowed for capturing some seismic events and some drops in the natural frequencies were noticed because of a breathing crack effect. Using both ambient vibration testing and continuous monitoring system, global modes could be more accurately identified than more local ones. The identification of the global modes was more attainable than in the case of more local ones. The temperature was a more influential environmental parameter than humidity and wind for all of the identified modes except for one more directly depended on wind. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Structural monitoring and vibration-based damage identification methods are fundamental tools for condition assessment and early-stage damage identification, especially when dealing with the conservation of historical constructions and the maintenance of strategic civil structures. However, although the substantial advances in the field, several issues must still be addressed to broaden the application range of such tools and to assert their reliability. This study deals with the experimental validation of a novel method for non-destructive damage identification purposes. This method is based on the use of spectral output signals and has been recently validated by the authors through a numerical simulation. After a brief insight into the basic principles of the proposed approach, the spectral-based technique is applied to identify the experimental damage induced on a masonry arch through statically increasing loading. Once the direct and cross spectral density functions of the nodal response processes are estimated, the system's output power spectrum matrix is built and decomposed in eigenvalues and eigenvectors. The present study points out how the extracted spectral eigenparameters contribute to the damage analysis allowing to detect the occurrence of damage and to locate the target points where the cracks appear during the experimental tests. The sensitivity of the spectral formulation to the level of noise in the modal data is investigated and discussed. As a final evaluation criterion, the results from the spectrum-driven method are compared with the ones obtained from existing non-model based damage identification methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The churches on Chiloé Island are the oldest wood structures in Chile. Chiloé islanders adapted European colonial techniques and developed unique regional construction styles when building these UNESCO-recognized community and religious centers. Although these historical treasures are preserved, much of the construction history of these churches remains unknown. Tree-ring dating is a proven archeological dating method used to identify the logging dates of wood used for constructiong historical buildings. The majority of churches on Chiloé were constructed using Pilgerodendron uviferum ("ciprés de las Guaitecas") wood. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the potential use of this species to date timber found at churches in Vilupulli and Ichuac. Timber sections from both structures were successfully cross-dated using three regional multi-century long P. uviferum tree-ring site chronologies located in the Chiloé region (two from the island and one from the nearby Andes region). Samples from pillars located in the tower of the Vilupulli church contained 311 and 181 tree-rings, respectively, while four samples from floor beams in the Ichuac church contained 79, 89, 97 and 135 annual growth . Timber used to build the Vilupulli church tower cross-dates to 1918 and corroborates colloquial knowledge that the structure was built in the early 20th century. Dates obtained from the floor beams in the Ichuac church range from 1920 to1929, and contradict the colloquial thinking that the structure was built at the end of the 19th century, though these could represent material used in a later restoration not previously recorded in Ichuac's local history. These findings confirm that P. uviferum presents strong capabilities for further use in tree ring dating of important historical structures located in the temperate region of Southern Chile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A masonry pillar composed of solid clay bricks, cement mortar and infill is extracted from a historical structure and tested in concentric compression. It is subjected to cyclic and monotonic loads up to compressive failure. In parallel, samples are extracted from the pillar and are subjected to destructive tests. Non-destructive tests are performed on the pillar, as well. The properties of the constituent materials are critically examined and their role in the maximum load reached and the failure mode obtained are discussed. Finally, a finite element micro-model of the pillar is used for the simulation of the pillar test. The influence of the existing damage on the pillar is investigated using the model, resulting in a fair approximation of the global Young’s modulus, maximum load and the failure mode. Highlights ● A brick masonry pillar extracted from a historical building is tested in compression. ● Material samples extracted from the pillar are characterized by mechanical tests. ● A finite element micro-model of the pillar is used for the simulation of the compressive test. ● The effect of damage on the compressive strength of the pillar is numerically investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Slamova M., Jančura P., Daniš D.: Methods of historical landscape structures identification and implementation into landscape studies. Ekologia (Bratislava), Vol. 32, No. 3, p. , 267-276, 2013. Valuable historical rural landscapes are found in the sub-mountainous and mountainous regions of the Carpathian Mountains in Slovakia. Authors contributed to the research about historical landscape structures (HLS) by several methods. Method of ‘identification and assessment of characteristic landscape’ was developed in order to provide maintenance to about HLS and improve application of responsibilities resulting from the European Landscape Convention (Florence, 2000) into practice of landscape planning. We bring a new perspective on landscape’s value identification in the field of landscape ecology. The main aim of the paper is identification of HLS as components of land cover structures in the cadastral area of Budina (agrarian terraces) and as micro-relief forms in Nižna Boca (mines). Studied areas represent two different rural landscape types which contain different values related to HLS and they are not especially protected by laws. We evaluate attributes of relief, visual-optometric parameters of landscape, landscape types, land cover structures and types of HLS. Maintenance about HLS in landscape is important for the preservation of unique types of cultural landscapes. Finally, we compare realisations of the visions, suggested in previous landscape studies, which concentrated on development of tourism in the studied areas.

Cultural heritage buildings are special structures and must be protected from natural disasters preserving at the same time their authenticity. In the seismic areas, one of the building classes that is consistently exposed to seismic risk is the one constituting the architectural heritage of the region. To minimize further destruction under future seismic activity it is necessary to reinforce the existing structures that are more vulnerable. As a consequence, new technological systems are needed, able to provide solution not only to specific structural or architectural problems, but also aiming at improving the global performance of the construction. Similarly, great attention is paid not only to reliability and durability of intervention methods, but also to the possibility to be easily monitored and removed if required, according to the widely shared policy, aiming at the safeguard of existing buildings, in particular in case of historical and monumental works, from inappropriate restoration operations. This study aims to represent innovative technologies and strategies to preserve the cultural heritage structures against earthquake effect. In particular, the application of fibre reinforced polymers and structural control systems are explained. Suitability of the strategies to architectural, historical and structural features and reversibility aspects are evaluated. As a case study the application of these strategies to a historical building in Istanbul is discussed.

This article argues that Cox's Method of Historical Structures (MHS), although a highly useful tool for understanding the world, should be adapted to make it more effective as a framework for understanding world order in the twenty-first century. The advent of the method helped rejuvenate critical scholarship in international relations and international political economy during the 1980s. It offered a way out of the excessively structural approaches that had dominated critical thinking in the 1960s and 1970s. Cox's method enabled the unpacking of a structure, so that the components that made up any particular configuration could be considered analytically. Providing guidance on how to look at an historical order, and how to consider the component features of that structure, proved to be a revelation for many critical scholars of international relations. Surprisingly, given Cox's highlighting of the distinction between critical and problem-solving theory introduced in the same Millennium article, what really distinguishes Cox's approach, and why it has had the impact it has, is the pragmatism of the method. The MHS offers the possibility of a more closely reasoned analysis of world order than was previously available. It was the practical and somewhat systematic quality of the MHS that made it influential because it offered to facilitate empirical research by critical scholars. Thirty-five years on, the Method looks less satisfactory and this article offers some suggestions for its development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research is focused on the experimental characterisation of the compressive behaviour of masonry in existing buildings. The proposed technique is based on in situ core drilling of masonry members. Two walls were built making use of terracotta handmade bricks and lime mortar, without cement, to reproduce a low-strength historical masonry. Core samples were extracted from the walls and then regularized to perform a non-standard compression test in the laboratory. Stack-bonded prisms were also tested under compression. A direct comparison is made between the results from the proposed non-standard tests on core samples and the tests suggested by the available standards on prismatic samples. The proposed minor destructive technique shows to be effective for the mechanical characterisation of existing masonry structures, including historical ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Textured three dimensional models are currently the one of the standard methods of representing the results of photogrammetric works. A realistic 3D model combines the geometrical relations between the structure's elements with realistic textures of each of its elements. Data used to create 3D models of structures can be derived from many different sources. The most commonly used tool for documentation purposes, is a digital camera and nowadays terrestrial laser scanning (TLS). Integration of data acquired from different sources allows modelling and visualization of 3D models historical structures. Additional aspect of data integration is possibility of complementing of missing points for example in point clouds. The paper shows the possibility of integrating data from terrestrial laser scanning with digital imagery and an analysis of the accuracy of the presented methods. The paper describes results obtained from raw data consisting of a point cloud measured using terrestrial laser scanning acquired from a Leica ScanStation2 and digital imagery taken using a Kodak DCS Pro 14N camera. The studied structure is the ruins of the Ilza castle in Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experimental campaign involving the compressive testing of a brick masonry pillar extracted from a historical building is presented in this paper. The test procedure and the instrumentation are designed in order to determine, in addition to the compressive strength and global Young's modulus of the structure, the behavior in different parts of the pillar. Material samples, representative of the external leaf and the infill, are extracted from the pillar and tested in compression. Differences in strength and elasticity of the two components are critically presented and their influence on the maximum load and failure mode of the pillar are discussed. Finally, a simple analytical model is employed in order to quantify the effect of the mismatch of Young's modulus of the two components of the pillar. Analogies between the studied pillar and three-leaf wall masonry are drawn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to determine the dynamic characteristics, such as natural frequencies, mode shapes and damping ratios, of two different domed structures, namely Hamza Paşa Mausoleum and Kavak Meydan Fountain, built in the sixteenth century by experimental methods. The experimental dynamic characteristics are used to develop initial analytical models and update these models. Analytical models of the structures are constituted using finite element theoretical software, and dynamic characteristics are determined analytically. The experimental measurements are carried out by operational modal testing under environmental loads, which are wind and traffic loads, and the dynamic characteristics are identified experimentally. Vibration responses are collected from the dome's outer surface for Hamza Pas¸a Mausoleum and the dome pulley's inner surface for Kavak Meydan Fountain. Measurement time, frequency span, and effective mode number are determined by considering pretest measurement results. At the end of the study, analytical and experimental dynamic characteristics are compared with each other and the finite element models of these domed structures are updated by changing material properties and boundary conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared with other diagnostic techniques, which are limited to the local investigation, the structural dynamic monitoring allows to obtain information about seismic response and vulnerability of structures, in their whole. The experimental modal analysis evaluates the dynamic parameters such as frequencies, vibration modes and damping coefficients. For historic buildings, due to their heterogeneity and complexity, these data are not yet readily available. The possibility of applying the simplified procedures for the dynamic identification of the different historic structural typologies is, therefore, strategic to obtain useful information to apply the design criteria and the structural verifications in the seismic field. Besides the simplified procedures allow an optimization both on the execution time and on the costs. The paper provides some hypothesis of simplified dynamic monitoring procedures through the reduction/optimization of the accelerometric sensors used for three case studies, which differ in structural typology such as Churches, Towers and Palaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historical structures and preserving their cultural values are crucial issues for humanity, not only because of their link to important certain periods in the past, but also their unique architectural features. Although many historical structures continue to offer services while keeping their historical values, some of them are at high risk in seismic prone regions. Therefore, the understanding of their structural performance under strong ground motions has been of significant importance to the civil societies as well as engineering community. The structural systems of historical buildings, generally, consist of masonry walls or piers. The behavior of such walls is controlled by either deformation or force. Seismic performance evaluation of historical structures can be carried out within the framework of performance-based evaluation principles. This paper mainly discusses the basic principles to be considered in performance-based seismic evaluation of historical structures. Proposed seismic hazard levels, evaluation of existing seismic hazard, selection of earthquake ground motions as well as site geology, geological and tectonic settings of the area, seismic activity of the region and local soil conditions are needed for a thorough performance evaluation. Seismic performance evaluation of a clock tower located in eastern Turkey was accomplished based on the proposed principles. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work proposes a methodology, based on finite element simulation, for analyzing masonry historical structures, according to Eurocodes, that has been applied for the assessment of the Saint Sebastian church, located in Piedratajada (Zaragoza, Spain). Settlement pathologies were detected and the aim of the work is to verify the current safety level and to propose reinforcement solutions if necessary. Results confirm the effect of soil settlement and allow establish the maximum admissible value. If that value is reached, a couple of reinforcement solutions, installing sheets of steel or carbon fiber composite, are proposed and analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the dynamic characterization of a group of historical buildings located over the Roman Theatre of Cadiz (Spain), a piece of heritage that has been buried for centuries under the historical town. In 2010, an intervention began in order to excavate it, while respecting the buildings over it. The control of this intervention is being done by means of topographic control points and ambient vibration tests. On the basis of the results obtained from the dynamic tests, a finite element model was updated and subsequently used to check the current works and foresee the final behaviour of the complex. A brief description of the Roman theatre and the works to recover it, the methodology followed to control such works and the results obtained are the main goals of this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Masonry structures are complex systems that require detailed knowledge and information regarding their response under seismic excitations. Appropriate modelling of a masonry structure is a prerequisite for a reliable earthquake-resistant design and/or assessment. However, modelling a real structure with a robust quantitative (mathematical) representation is a very difficult, complex and computationally-demanding task. The paper herein presents a new stochastic computational framework for earthquake-resistant design of masonry structural systems. The proposed framework is based on the probabilistic behavior of crucial parameters, such as material strength and seismic characteristics, and utilizes fragility analysis based on different failure criteria for the masonry material. The application of the proposed methodology is illustrated in the case of a historical and monumental masonry structure, namely the assessment of the seismic vulnerability of the Kaisariani Monastery, a byzantine church that was built in Athens, Greece, at the end of the 11th to the beginning of the 12th century. Useful conclusions are drawn regarding the effectiveness of the intervention techniques used for the reduction of the vulnerability of the case-study structure, by means of comparison of the results obtained.

• Structural monitoring of Hagia Sophia Bell Tower. • Ambient vibration test and identification of dynamic characteristics. • Restoration effects on the dynamic characteristics. • Finite element model calibration according to the vibration test results. • Comparison of stresses and displacements for seismic evaluation. Historical structures are very valuable in terms of culture and history because they are the legacy of the past and the trust of the future. These structures require structural investigation and assessment to survive their life. By developing technology, the continuous and/or partial monitoring of these structures has become widespread in many parts of world for last decades. This study presents the structural dynamic parameter identification and the seismic performance evaluation of Hagia Sophia Bell Tower. This historical tower was built by using masonry cut stones in 1204 in Trabzon, Türkiye. Many restorations were made on the bell tower in different times in the past and the last one was executed in 2020. After this restoration, ambient vibration tests were performed on the tower by using developed measurement systems. The dynamic characteristics were attained by analyzing the collected data and were compared the results of previous studies to determine the effects of the last restoration. Also, an initial finite element model was generated by using solid elements in ANSYS Workbench software and the model was calibrated according to the experimental natural frequencies attained from the last restoration. The structural performance was evaluated by performing seismic analyses according to the current Türkiye Building Earthquake Code by considering the local site effects and seismicity. These analyses were performed on the weak direction of the tower in the initial and calibrated finite element models. The maximum top displacement, drift ratios, principal stress values and their distributions were determined and the seismic vulnerability was evaluated by considering these values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper deals with experimental behavior of deformed brick masonry arches strengthened with the fiber reinforced polymer (FRP). Seven arches were fabricated using commercial clay brick and low strength lime-based mortar, trying to mimic historical structures. After reaching sufficient strength (28 day strength), one arch called reference specimen is tested under the ultimate load and other arches are given damage to a certain extent. Then six different strengthening arrangements, including different dimensions of FRP strips, spike anchors and joint grouting are implemented on six arches damaged. The numerical modeling of damaged masonry arches strengthened with FRP is performed using a commercially available structural analysis program and the numerical results are compared with the experimental ones. The experimental results show that the capacity of damaged masonry arch strengthened increases at least 58% in comparison with unstrengthened masonry arches and strengthening of joints with epoxy resin is an effective alternative to increase the damaged masonry arch capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Beylerbeyi Palace was built between 1861 and 1865 on the Asian shore of Istanbul, and it is within the cultural heritage treasury of the world. Recent earthquakes in the Mediterranean basin have highlighted the particular vulnerability of historic masonry buildings and the need of properly defining retrofitting measures. In this respect, structural behaviour and the earthquake performance of the palace have been investigated. It is seen that the inherent dynamic properties of the palace make it vulnerable to earthquake ground shaking. In order to reduce the affect of ground shaking, the use of base isolation system has been investigated. It is determined that base isolation can be used to reduce the earthquake effects on the palace and ensure the structural performance under maximum considered earthquake. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]