Calls for papers

 

International Journal of Masonry Research and Innovation

 

Special Issue on: "Seismic Analysis and Rehabilitation Methods of Monumental Masonry Constructions: From Past Procedures to Future Advances"

Guest Editors:
Dr. Francesco Fabbrocino, Pegaso Telematics University, Italy
Dr. Antonio Formisano, University of Naples Federico II, Italy

The aim of this special issue is to outline the design procedures, techniques and materials used from ancient times to today for the structural analysis and restoration of historical buildings and monuments in seismic prone areas. Historical and monumental structures represent a high percentage of existing constructions in numerous regions affected by earthquakes, especially in Europe. A large number of historical buildings belong to our cultural heritage and include the building art at their construction time. These structures deserve special care because of their individual historical or architectural meaning since they are living representatives of earlier constructive traditions.

Most of the existing European historical monumental structures are made of masonry. Seismic events have often caused either massive damage or the destruction of these structures having great cultural significance. Examples can be found in past earthquakes, which affected most of such types of constructions. Also, recent seismic events also caused great damage to religious temples and other monumental buildings. Unlike modern structures, where the seismic vulnerability can be assessed by means of existing codes and analysis methodologies, the seismic behaviour evaluation of old masonry structures does not have a proper scientific background.

The seismic vulnerability evaluation of such structures depends on reliable numerical simulations of their seismic response. Numerical modelling of the seismic behaviour of masonry structures represents a very complex problem due to the constitutive laws of structural materials and their highly non-linear behaviour when subjected to strong ground motions. Whatever method is used to investigate these structures, their mechanical behaviour, essentially different from a continuum, should be considered. Therefore, the numerical modelling methods available for the study of historical structures and monuments under seismic actions are reviewed in this special issue. In particular, other than the traditional analysis techniques, new methodologies for the assessment of the seismic behaviour of monumental masonry structures are inspected. On one hand, they allow for the modelling of their response up to collapse, corresponding to large displacements and a high geometrical non-linear behaviour, and, on the other hand, the modelling of the mechanical non-linear behaviour of both structural blocks and their interfaces, the identification of failure patterns and the control of internal stresses and deformations versus the seismic input are permitted. To this purpose, some new analysis methods, i.e. the discrete elements method, will be examined in, since they allow for large displacements and rotations (including sliding) among blocks, the crack opening and the complete detachment of blocks, as well as the detection of new contacts as the calculations go on.

Moreover, the difficulty in performing a reliable assessment of the actual structural conditions of monumental constructions, due to the difficulty in the numerical prediction of their seismic behaviour, makes very complicate the execution of consistent seismic retrofitting projects.

Generally speaking, the problem of the restoration of these buildings differs radically from the repairing and strengthening of ordinary constructions. Structural restoration is a highly specialised operation, where the collaboration of specialists in many scientific disciplines, strongly supported by computational methods and well-equipped laboratories, is strongly required.

For monumental buildings, emphasis is in fact given to the preservation of their aesthetic and historical values, while the task to remain in use may be considered of minor importance.

When structural interventions are of interest, the preservation and revealing of monument aesthetic and historical values, as well as the respect for original materials and authentic technical documentations, represent the restoration aim. This imposes to the specialists involved into restoration interventions an obligation to consider appropriate techniques and materials for repairing and strengthening. The key of the choice of materials and techniques is related to the method classification into two main categories, namely reversible and irreversible. Materials used in reversible interventions usually impose very limited restrictions. Contrary, materials used in irreversible interventions require both the compatibility of the new materials, with the original ones and the very-long-term durability of new materials. These restrictions necessitate a systematic knowledge of properties of original materials, so that they can be used as a guide to the choice of materials for repairing and strengthening interventions. It is generally accepted that the best way to satisfy the compatibility and durability requirements is to choose ‘traditional materials’ for restoration. However, the possibility to take profit of new materials available from the modern technology allows for new intervention techniques that deserve the attention of designers. On the basis of these premises, particular attention will be dedicated to the use of both old and new materials and ancient and modern restoration techniques addressed to evaluate the “pros” and “cons” of restoration interventions with the main goal to establish, according to restoration charters, the best retrofitting measures for preserving and revealing the aesthetic and historical values of monumental masonry buildings.

Subject Coverage
Suitable topics include, but are not limited, to the following:

• Traditional and innovative construction materials and techniques
• Numerical modelling and structural analysis
• Vulnerability and risk analysis regarding natural and man-made hazards
• Seismic behaviour and retrofitting
• Repair and strengthening techniques
• Assessment and intervention of archaeological heritage
• Durability and sustainability
• Rehabilitation and re-use of cultural heritage buildings
• Structural health monitoring
• Inspection and non-destructive testing
• In-situ and laboratory experimental results
• Adobe and vernacular constructions
• Case studies

Notes for Prospective Authors

Submitted papers should not have been previously published nor be currently under consideration for publication elsewhere. (N.B. Conference papers may only be submitted if the paper has been completely re-written and if appropriate written permissions have been obtained from any copyright holders of the original paper).

All papers are refereed through a peer review process.

All papers must be submitted online. To submit a paper, please read our Submitting articles page.

Important Dates

Manuscripts due by: 31 August, 2017