Architectural and Environmental Impact of Retrofitting Techniques to Prevent In-Plane «Domino» Failure Modes of Unreinforced Masonry Buildings

The preservation of heritage buildings is not just about the structural safety, but it is necessarily related to the central themes of restoration, fruition and reuse of ancient buildings. Such topic requires an interdisciplinary design approach that involves, among the others, structural engineering, numerical modelling and architecture to address the challenges of contemporaneity in heritage management also in terms of interests of the stakeholders. In this regard, the opportunities offered by natural F.R.C.M. (Fibre Reinforced Cementitious Matrix) composites, made of basaltic fibres and lime mortar, are analysed. The main objective of the research is to expand the state of the art concerning the influence of such composites’ applica- tions on ≪in falso≫ masonries: load bearing walls built without a direct load path to the ground and acting like ≪wall beams≫ in case of collapse of the underlying masonry vaults. On this, an experimental campaign started in order to make a comparative assessment about the influ- ence of composites in the prevention of knock-on collapses due to the aforementioned scenario, with the benefit of avoiding damages to unmovable artistic assets and valuable architectural features (e.g. precious pavings, mosaics, vaulted surfaces etc.). Furthermore, rather than the ≪canon≫ widespread intervention, an innovative application of F.R.C.M. in tapes is proposed, aimed at interventions with reduced quantities of composite material and therefore improving its use in the heritage even more. Finally, a first approach to the 3D Finite Element formulation for the case in question is proposed.