Elvis Cescatti - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Elvis Cescatti

Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Computational Methods in Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering (COMPDYN 2015)

Masonry churches hit by 2016-17 Central Italy seismic sequence confirmed their intrinsic seismic ... more Masonry churches hit by 2016-17 Central Italy seismic sequence confirmed their intrinsic seismic vulnerability. A detailed report of the damage data collected during the in situ surveys carried out during the emergency phases is presented. The data were recorded by filling the II level post-earthquake survey form (A-DC) with reference to masonry churches (990 cases). These inspections were coordinated by the

The assessment of churches at a territorial scale is a suitable tool to have an overview of the s... more The assessment of churches at a territorial scale is a suitable tool to have an overview of the seismic behaviour of this peculiar structural typology and to evaluate the current state of vulnerability based on empirical data. Fragility and vulnerability curves can also be obtained to perform the analysis of different seismic scenarios.The paper presents a detailed typological analysis of 633 one-nave churches, as a selected subset of the database previously examined by the authors, with the aim of evaluating the influence of some parameters such as: the masonry typology, the church dimensions, the presence of the bell tower, on the church vulnerability. After that, a specific analysis is carried out to assess the influence played by single mechanisms on the definition of the overall damage index, with the focus of providing qualitative evaluations and explicit vulnerability and fragility curves related to a selection of significant collapse mechanisms.

Brick and Block Masonry - From Historical to Sustainable Masonry, 2020

RILEM Bookseries, 2019

During the last decade, the Laboratory of the Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environment... more During the last decade, the Laboratory of the Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering department at the University of Padova, together with a Spin-Off of the same University, Expin srl, and the consultant engineering company Schaffer & Ronen ltd., carried out more than fifty on site single and double flat jacks on masonry panels of a relevant sample of existing masonry buildings in different historical sites in Israel. Typical Israeli masonry used in historical buildings consists of limestone, calcar (sand) stone, and Basalt stone masonry, with mostly lime based mortar as a binder. Double flat jack tests were employed on two main types of stone walls: single-faced and two-faced stone wall (the most common stone masonry arrangement). From these tests it was possible to obtain the characterization of the mechanical properties of the stone masonry panels tested, belonging to different construction eras and masonry types. Double flat jack tests were mainly carried out following the local state of stress determination via single flat jack. The paper presents the results with a classification of the masonry types mechanical characteristics. This ongoing work, to be complemented with laboratory tests in future stages, may represent a preparatory work for the development of reference characteristic values of the different masonry types of the country, to be included in Israeli technical standards.

The paper concerns a part of the detailed seismic and static analysis on a XI century church loca... more The paper concerns a part of the detailed seismic and static analysis on a XI century church located in Verona in the north of Italy. The seismic hazard of the entire country is appreciable and the effect on this structure is not negligible. After three earthquakes, and mainly after the two events happen on 2012 with epicentre in the Emilia's region, some cracks occurred on the main nave. The aim of the part of the work here presented, is mainly related to analyse and understand the real behaviour of the complex roof and its safety. The text faces two principal phases: one related to the diagnosis and site inspections with Non-Destructive tests and the other about the analytical models. The steps follow both the ISARCSAH recommendation [1] and Italian guidelines [2] for evaluation and mitigation of seismic risk to cultural heritage. The roof is a unique structure made by many struts in wood and ties in puddle iron. The structure bears the external layer of tiles and the interior ceiling with bas-reliefs in wood. In the first step about the knowledge of the structure, an accurate geometrical survey has been performed whit laser scanner and clinometers. On the other hand important Non destructive tests on humidity and resistance has been performed in order to assess the material feature and degradations. Further the dynamic identification of some elements plays a determinant role in terms of calibration. Lastly the historical information and data collected gives a wider view on the structure. During years some interventions have been done in order to strengthen the structure decreasing the internal forces. This changing of the structural configuration involves another global behaviour which changes differently in each truss and therefore it presents relative displacements throughout the wooden roof. The analysis of the entire structure is local and global and involves both linear and non linear evaluations. For each configuration during the year a model has been done in order to get the changing in stresses and stiffness.

Brick and Block Masonry - From Historical to Sustainable Masonry, 2020

SP-326: Durability and Sustainability of Concrete Structures (DSCS-2018), 2018

The civil engineering community is acquainted with the fact that existing reinforced concrete str... more The civil engineering community is acquainted with the fact that existing reinforced concrete structures require constant maintenance in order to increase their service life. Nevertheless, maintenance might be not sufficient when a change of use, which entails for an increase of the service loads, damage due to aggressive environment, or the need of withstanding natural and man-made hazards were not taken into account when the structure was designed. Fiber-reinforced composites are a suitable tool to strengthen and thus increase the capacity of the structural element without changing the original configuration and adding mass. Steel reinforced grout (SRG) is a relatively new tool in the realm of fiber-reinforced composites that consists of steel fibers embedded in a cementitious mortar. This paper presents a state-of-the art on SRG that includes a literature review and points out the effectiveness of SRG for flexural strengthening and confinement of concrete members. It also proposes a design approach to strengthen reinforced concrete beams based on the available data on flexural tests on beams, bond tests on SRG-concrete joints, and tensile tests on SRG coupons

SP-326: Durability and Sustainability of Concrete Structures (DSCS-2018), 2018

Load-bearing unreinforced masonry structures represent a significant proportion of the building s... more Load-bearing unreinforced masonry structures represent a significant proportion of the building stock in several countries worldwide, and include historical constructions that belong to cultural heritage. Because of the limited tensile strength of unreinforced masonry, fiber-reinforced composites are an effective strengthening technique, which has already been widely used, especially in seismic prone areas, to delay the onset of collapse mechanisms of the entire structure or portions of it. Steel reinforced grout (SRG), which consists of steel textiles embedded in a cement or lime based mortar, is a particularly appealing alternative to fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites, as well as to other mortar based composites (i.e., fabric reinforced cementitious matrix, FRCM), especially when applied to masonry structures. This paper sheds light into the retrofitting of masonry structures with SRG, providing an overview of the experimental investigations carried out in the laboratory and in the field on full-scale structural members. SRG proved effective for improving the out-of-plane flexural strength and deflection capacity of masonry walls (for which three or four-point bending tests and shake table tests were performed), the load-bearing and deflection capacity of vaults (tested both in the laboratory and in the field under quasi-static vertical loads), and the compressive strength of columns (subjected in the laboratory to centred axial load). Further research needs are identified, which are considered useful for the development of design guidelines

SP-324: Composites with Inorganic Matrix for Repair of Concrete and Masonry Structures, 2018

Structural Studies, Repairs and Maintenance of Heritage Architecture XVI, 2019

The iconic Renaissance monument in Ferrara was requested by Duke Ercole I d'Este at the end of th... more The iconic Renaissance monument in Ferrara was requested by Duke Ercole I d'Este at the end of the 15th century for the "Piazza Nova" of the Erculean Addition. The project comprised an equestrian statue of the Duke positioned on two monolithic columns with a pedestal, capitals and trabeated system. The project was never completed except for the 10 m monolithic column, upon which statues of Pope Alexander VII (1675), Napoleon (1810) and, finally, Ludovico Ariosto (1833), the symbolic Ferrarese poet were placed. The project involves the removal of recent interventions which were structurally and aesthetically invasive: lowering the statue using a specially designed engineering technique; disassembling the 11 st components of the capital due to oxidisation of the metal connectors; replacing the oxidised parts with new connectors; controlled cleaning of the surfaces; integration with mortars made on-site with natural and sustainable materials. The purpose of this project is to restore the cleaner and safer Monument of Ludovico Ariosto to the community through a "critical restoration", based on historical knowledge.

International Journal of Architectural Heritage, 2017

Developing suitable tools to assess the actual structural performance and designing and executing... more Developing suitable tools to assess the actual structural performance and designing and executing interventions to improve that performance is a key issue in the field of conservation and enhancement of architectural heritage. This research paper presents the results of five full-scale destructive tests performed on the Castello di San Pietro in Verona (North-East Italy), a building set on a hill above the city and going back to the 19th century under the Habsburg Empire. It evaluates the behaviour of the barrel vaults of 5.6 m span, 1.1 m rise and 27 cm thickness in the original building. Although A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t 2 experimental work is common in the relevant literature, the testing programme described here was not performed on reconstructed vaults but on original elements, which can reveal their real behaviour more clearly. Four strengthening solutions were also evaluated, in which organic and inorganic fibres were applied to both types of matrix.

International Journal of Architectural Heritage, 2019

This research focuses on estimating the axial force of historical metal tie-rods by means of nond... more This research focuses on estimating the axial force of historical metal tie-rods by means of nondestructive testing (NDT) which provides useful information for calibrating structural models. The first part of this work describes the behavior of tie-rods, emphasizing the key role played by crosssection stiffness, which is usually neglected in the case of cables. Particular attention is then given to common effective parameters and dynamic aspects in terms of acquiring the setup and which modal parameters to examine. For new insights into methods for assessing historical tie-rods and evaluating the reliability of analytical and numerical predictions, laboratory tests on four samples with typical cross-sections were carried out on historical metal tie-rods. A set of 224 configurations, including various methods of excitation, boundary conditions, and stress states, were analyzed. In addition to laboratory parameters, this analysis also includes details of sensor positions and number of modes to be examined, and proposes a simplification for less time-consuming tests on-site.

8th International Conference on Computational Methods in Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering Methods in Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering

Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Computational Methods in Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering (COMPDYN 2015)

Masonry churches hit by 2016-17 Central Italy seismic sequence confirmed their intrinsic seismic ... more Masonry churches hit by 2016-17 Central Italy seismic sequence confirmed their intrinsic seismic vulnerability. A detailed report of the damage data collected during the in situ surveys carried out during the emergency phases is presented. The data were recorded by filling the II level post-earthquake survey form (A-DC) with reference to masonry churches (990 cases). These inspections were coordinated by the

The assessment of churches at a territorial scale is a suitable tool to have an overview of the s... more The assessment of churches at a territorial scale is a suitable tool to have an overview of the seismic behaviour of this peculiar structural typology and to evaluate the current state of vulnerability based on empirical data. Fragility and vulnerability curves can also be obtained to perform the analysis of different seismic scenarios.The paper presents a detailed typological analysis of 633 one-nave churches, as a selected subset of the database previously examined by the authors, with the aim of evaluating the influence of some parameters such as: the masonry typology, the church dimensions, the presence of the bell tower, on the church vulnerability. After that, a specific analysis is carried out to assess the influence played by single mechanisms on the definition of the overall damage index, with the focus of providing qualitative evaluations and explicit vulnerability and fragility curves related to a selection of significant collapse mechanisms.

Brick and Block Masonry - From Historical to Sustainable Masonry, 2020

RILEM Bookseries, 2019

During the last decade, the Laboratory of the Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environment... more During the last decade, the Laboratory of the Department of Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering department at the University of Padova, together with a Spin-Off of the same University, Expin srl, and the consultant engineering company Schaffer & Ronen ltd., carried out more than fifty on site single and double flat jacks on masonry panels of a relevant sample of existing masonry buildings in different historical sites in Israel. Typical Israeli masonry used in historical buildings consists of limestone, calcar (sand) stone, and Basalt stone masonry, with mostly lime based mortar as a binder. Double flat jack tests were employed on two main types of stone walls: single-faced and two-faced stone wall (the most common stone masonry arrangement). From these tests it was possible to obtain the characterization of the mechanical properties of the stone masonry panels tested, belonging to different construction eras and masonry types. Double flat jack tests were mainly carried out following the local state of stress determination via single flat jack. The paper presents the results with a classification of the masonry types mechanical characteristics. This ongoing work, to be complemented with laboratory tests in future stages, may represent a preparatory work for the development of reference characteristic values of the different masonry types of the country, to be included in Israeli technical standards.

The paper concerns a part of the detailed seismic and static analysis on a XI century church loca... more The paper concerns a part of the detailed seismic and static analysis on a XI century church located in Verona in the north of Italy. The seismic hazard of the entire country is appreciable and the effect on this structure is not negligible. After three earthquakes, and mainly after the two events happen on 2012 with epicentre in the Emilia's region, some cracks occurred on the main nave. The aim of the part of the work here presented, is mainly related to analyse and understand the real behaviour of the complex roof and its safety. The text faces two principal phases: one related to the diagnosis and site inspections with Non-Destructive tests and the other about the analytical models. The steps follow both the ISARCSAH recommendation [1] and Italian guidelines [2] for evaluation and mitigation of seismic risk to cultural heritage. The roof is a unique structure made by many struts in wood and ties in puddle iron. The structure bears the external layer of tiles and the interior ceiling with bas-reliefs in wood. In the first step about the knowledge of the structure, an accurate geometrical survey has been performed whit laser scanner and clinometers. On the other hand important Non destructive tests on humidity and resistance has been performed in order to assess the material feature and degradations. Further the dynamic identification of some elements plays a determinant role in terms of calibration. Lastly the historical information and data collected gives a wider view on the structure. During years some interventions have been done in order to strengthen the structure decreasing the internal forces. This changing of the structural configuration involves another global behaviour which changes differently in each truss and therefore it presents relative displacements throughout the wooden roof. The analysis of the entire structure is local and global and involves both linear and non linear evaluations. For each configuration during the year a model has been done in order to get the changing in stresses and stiffness.

Brick and Block Masonry - From Historical to Sustainable Masonry, 2020

SP-326: Durability and Sustainability of Concrete Structures (DSCS-2018), 2018

The civil engineering community is acquainted with the fact that existing reinforced concrete str... more The civil engineering community is acquainted with the fact that existing reinforced concrete structures require constant maintenance in order to increase their service life. Nevertheless, maintenance might be not sufficient when a change of use, which entails for an increase of the service loads, damage due to aggressive environment, or the need of withstanding natural and man-made hazards were not taken into account when the structure was designed. Fiber-reinforced composites are a suitable tool to strengthen and thus increase the capacity of the structural element without changing the original configuration and adding mass. Steel reinforced grout (SRG) is a relatively new tool in the realm of fiber-reinforced composites that consists of steel fibers embedded in a cementitious mortar. This paper presents a state-of-the art on SRG that includes a literature review and points out the effectiveness of SRG for flexural strengthening and confinement of concrete members. It also proposes a design approach to strengthen reinforced concrete beams based on the available data on flexural tests on beams, bond tests on SRG-concrete joints, and tensile tests on SRG coupons

SP-326: Durability and Sustainability of Concrete Structures (DSCS-2018), 2018

Load-bearing unreinforced masonry structures represent a significant proportion of the building s... more Load-bearing unreinforced masonry structures represent a significant proportion of the building stock in several countries worldwide, and include historical constructions that belong to cultural heritage. Because of the limited tensile strength of unreinforced masonry, fiber-reinforced composites are an effective strengthening technique, which has already been widely used, especially in seismic prone areas, to delay the onset of collapse mechanisms of the entire structure or portions of it. Steel reinforced grout (SRG), which consists of steel textiles embedded in a cement or lime based mortar, is a particularly appealing alternative to fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites, as well as to other mortar based composites (i.e., fabric reinforced cementitious matrix, FRCM), especially when applied to masonry structures. This paper sheds light into the retrofitting of masonry structures with SRG, providing an overview of the experimental investigations carried out in the laboratory and in the field on full-scale structural members. SRG proved effective for improving the out-of-plane flexural strength and deflection capacity of masonry walls (for which three or four-point bending tests and shake table tests were performed), the load-bearing and deflection capacity of vaults (tested both in the laboratory and in the field under quasi-static vertical loads), and the compressive strength of columns (subjected in the laboratory to centred axial load). Further research needs are identified, which are considered useful for the development of design guidelines

SP-324: Composites with Inorganic Matrix for Repair of Concrete and Masonry Structures, 2018

Structural Studies, Repairs and Maintenance of Heritage Architecture XVI, 2019

The iconic Renaissance monument in Ferrara was requested by Duke Ercole I d'Este at the end of th... more The iconic Renaissance monument in Ferrara was requested by Duke Ercole I d'Este at the end of the 15th century for the "Piazza Nova" of the Erculean Addition. The project comprised an equestrian statue of the Duke positioned on two monolithic columns with a pedestal, capitals and trabeated system. The project was never completed except for the 10 m monolithic column, upon which statues of Pope Alexander VII (1675), Napoleon (1810) and, finally, Ludovico Ariosto (1833), the symbolic Ferrarese poet were placed. The project involves the removal of recent interventions which were structurally and aesthetically invasive: lowering the statue using a specially designed engineering technique; disassembling the 11 st components of the capital due to oxidisation of the metal connectors; replacing the oxidised parts with new connectors; controlled cleaning of the surfaces; integration with mortars made on-site with natural and sustainable materials. The purpose of this project is to restore the cleaner and safer Monument of Ludovico Ariosto to the community through a "critical restoration", based on historical knowledge.

International Journal of Architectural Heritage, 2017

Developing suitable tools to assess the actual structural performance and designing and executing... more Developing suitable tools to assess the actual structural performance and designing and executing interventions to improve that performance is a key issue in the field of conservation and enhancement of architectural heritage. This research paper presents the results of five full-scale destructive tests performed on the Castello di San Pietro in Verona (North-East Italy), a building set on a hill above the city and going back to the 19th century under the Habsburg Empire. It evaluates the behaviour of the barrel vaults of 5.6 m span, 1.1 m rise and 27 cm thickness in the original building. Although A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t 2 experimental work is common in the relevant literature, the testing programme described here was not performed on reconstructed vaults but on original elements, which can reveal their real behaviour more clearly. Four strengthening solutions were also evaluated, in which organic and inorganic fibres were applied to both types of matrix.

International Journal of Architectural Heritage, 2019

This research focuses on estimating the axial force of historical metal tie-rods by means of nond... more This research focuses on estimating the axial force of historical metal tie-rods by means of nondestructive testing (NDT) which provides useful information for calibrating structural models. The first part of this work describes the behavior of tie-rods, emphasizing the key role played by crosssection stiffness, which is usually neglected in the case of cables. Particular attention is then given to common effective parameters and dynamic aspects in terms of acquiring the setup and which modal parameters to examine. For new insights into methods for assessing historical tie-rods and evaluating the reliability of analytical and numerical predictions, laboratory tests on four samples with typical cross-sections were carried out on historical metal tie-rods. A set of 224 configurations, including various methods of excitation, boundary conditions, and stress states, were analyzed. In addition to laboratory parameters, this analysis also includes details of sensor positions and number of modes to be examined, and proposes a simplification for less time-consuming tests on-site.

8th International Conference on Computational Methods in Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering Methods in Structural Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering