Protection of historical buildings according to Prohitech

Abstract

The FP6 EC PROHITECH research project "Earthquake PROtection of HIstorical Buildings by Reversible Mixed TECHnologies" (2004-2009) developed a wide experimental and numerical activity on structures, sub-structures, elements and devices, involving 16 academic institutions of 12 Countries, mostly belonging to the South European and Mediterranean area (AL, B, EG, GR, I, P, RO, SL, TR, ISR, M, MK). The final results were presented at the International PROHITECH Conference held in Rome on 21-24 June 2009. The main objective of this project was to develop sustainable methodologies for the use of reversible mixed technologies in the seismic protection of existing constructions, with particular emphasis to buildings of historical interest. Reversible mixed technologies exploit the peculiarities of innovative materials and special devices, allowing ease of removal if necessary. At the same time, the combined use of different materials and techniques yields an optimisation of the global behaviour under seismic actions. A challenging activity within the project was devoted to large scale models of monumental buildings, which were tested on shaking table for producing damage and then for evaluating the effectiveness of the proposed consolidation systems. In particular, the following monumental models were tested: the Mustafa Pasha Mosque in Skopje, the Gothic Cathedral in Fossanova, the St. Nikola Byzantine Church in Psacha and the Parthenon temple in Athens. Beside the experimental activity, appropriate numerical models were developed in order to both predict and interpret the testing results.