Safety Analysis and Retrofitting of a Masonry Bell Tower

The paper illustrates the performance assessment and strengthening of an existing masonry tower in Southern Italy. On-site diagnostic investigations including geometrical survey, laser scanning survey, flat jack tests, endoscopic tests, sonic pulse velocity tests, geognostic surveys and tie-rods tests performed on the tower are described in detail. The local collapse mechanisms are described through a kinematic limit analysis based on rigid block rotation, carried out according to the multilevel assessment path proposed by the Italian Guidelines for the assessment and mitigation of the seismic risk of the cultural heritage. Repair and strengthening interventions have been applied so as to repair the existing cracks, prevent the damage in the belfry and improve the seismic performance of the tower, keeping at the same time compatibility, durability, and reversibility of the intervention.