Historical, architectonic and structural investigations of the Bell Tower of Santa Maria del Carmine Church

Detailed historical and architectonical investigation was performed on the Bell Tower of Santa Maria del Carmine Church in Naples. Geometrical and material surveys and destructive and nondestructive tests were performed in situ to evaluate the level of damage, the sequence of changes in the structures and the stress distribution due to static loads. Experimental dynamic characterisation of the Bell Tower was conducted and the environmental effects of vibrations due to wind, traffic and the ringing of the Towers’ bells were considered. Linear static and dynamic analyses were developed to compare experimental with analytical results in terms of stress level for vertical loads and dynamic behaviour.