Shaking table tests for assessment of the dynamic response of domes and masonry structures to earthquake actions

Vaulted structures hold enormous cultural, historical, and artistic value as they constitute one of the main structural elements characterising monumental masonry architecture. Among them, the dome is undoubtedly the most emblematic and prominent one.

Preservation of cultural heritage for future generations and its sustainability is one of the major commitments to which our society is called.

The seismic vulnerability of some monumental buildings and the great difficulty in estimating their safety level calls for urgent remedies to the current lack of knowledge and technical regulations.

The research aims to carry out a systematic series of shaking table tests on scale models, suitably supplemented by a large set of reliable simulated experiments by discrete element models, with the goal of characterising the dynamical behaviour of masonry domes.

The ultimate goal of the research is to draw up valuable recommendations for the development of rational regulations, verification criteria, guidelines for professionals and post-earthquake first intervention protocols through the theoretical analysis of the experimental results.

The capability to properly evaluate the safety level of masonry domes will enable limiting consolidation interventions to a minimum, identifying with greater precision those cases that really require consolidation, with consequent economic benefits.

It will also enable calibrating interventions on the basis of the true behaviour of the structure, avoiding exaggeratedly invasive retrofitting works that distort the original behaviour of the construction, thus being in line with the principle of architectural conservation while simultaneously ensuring the appropriate safety requirements of the building.