Damage and Seismic Vulnerability of the Portal of Palazzo Dei Priori

Abstract

This work presents an account of the results of diagnostic analyses conducted by the authors on the portal of Palazzo dei Priori in Perugia, Italy. After summarizing the main events that may have affected the structural behavior of the portal in the course of time, this article describes the results of the finite element method (FEM) tests conducted on a three-dimensional model of the portal. The analysis of these results made it possible to investigate the origin of the surveyed crack pattern and to evaluate the seismic vulnerability of the portal also as regards its structural response to the seismic activity at the level expected for the Perugia area.

Keywords:

• medieval building
• masonry
• finite-element analysis
• seismic analysis
• cracking

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The Authors would like to express their gratitude to Dr Vittoria Garibaldi, Director of Soprintendenza dei Beni Architettonici (Monuments and Fine Arts Office) dell'Umbria, for her invaluable contribution through the research program. The assistance in the research of Geom. Raul Paggetta of Soprintendenza dei Beni Architettonici dell'Umbria and Dr. Dino Sperandio of Coo.Be.C. is also acknowledged. The financial support of Consorzio RELUIS is gratefully acknowledged.