Numerical model and consolidation interventions of Palazzo della Ragione in Milan

Abstract Palazzo della Ragione, erected in 1233, represents one of the most ancient and relevant historic building of Milan. During the last century, the Palace suffered significant modifications, including the realization of an underground tunnel immediately near the foundations. Numerical analysis conducted with a FEM model were developed on the basis of some experimental tests. In particular, the diagnostic campaign performed in 1979, in which flat jacks and dynamic tests were applied, allowed to obtain useful information on the mechanical characterization of the masonry. In addition, the execution of some dynamic identification tests in 2017 returned the own frequencies of the building 40 years later. Before to work on the structural project, the autor verified the consistency between the structural response of the numerical model and the one of the real building, obtained by dynamic tests. Some consolidation interventions were realized on the wooden trusses of the cover, in order to restore either local and global safety situation, with respect to vertical and horizontal load.