Seismic Behavior of a Complex Historical Church in L'Aquila

The church of S. Pietro di Coppito in L'Aquila is a case study of complexity under the structural point of view; the damage due to earthquake in 2009 is thus not easy to be interpreted. After a general overview of the damage, in situ test results are presented with a modal analysis, and finally the seismic response of the church is analyzed via subdivision into macro-elements with mutually independent structural responses. Particularly, the facade has moved out-of-plane, leading to the partial collapse of one of its upper edges and to the detachment from the nave walls. These two collapse mechanisms were studied by means of both linear and non-linear kinematics analyses, and a dynamic non-linear rigid body analysis was also performed. The triumphal arch, in contrast, was displaced mainly within its plane and was also studied by linear and non-linear kinematics limit analysis. The results thereby obtained were then compared with the outcomes of a series of finite-element non-linear incremental (push-over) analyses. On the basis of the analytical results and level of structural knowledge, this work is able to interpret the actual collapse process clarifying the global and local mechanisms and determining, then, the limits of each analytical tool.

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