Chemical-physical and Structural Analysis of Brick Masonry in Monumental Structures in the Middle Adriatic Coastal Regions

The different chemical-physical and structural behaviours between some brick masonry structures, belonging to important historical monuments located in the middle Adriatic coastal region of Italy. are analyzed. The considered monuments are: the temple of S.Maria del Tricalle, in Chieti, which was already treated on in a previous paper; the Valignani Tower, always in Chieti; the historical masonry bridge on the Rio river (along state road 81), near Teramo. All these places are located in the coastal Adriatic belt of the Abruzzo region, about 20 km from the Adriatic sea. In order to correlate the structural behaviour and the damage assessment together with the material properties of the brick masonry, deep investigation have performed for each monument, involving both chemical-physical and mechanical testing on the bricks and the mortars, correlated to computational analysis by F.E. method, to understand the causes of existing damage, and to evaluate the correct dynamical behaviour of the analyzed structures by comparison with in situ dynamical experiments. The results deriving from the performed analyses are compared each other, obtaining a clear picture of the brick and mortar properties, and achieving a satisfactory explanation of the damage assessment of the monuments, related both to their dynamical behaviour and to their seismic history. By this way, correct restoration techniques can be employed for each monument, and further restoration and maintenance works on similar historical buildings belonging to the same area can benefit themselves by the scientific knowledge of chemical-physical and mechanical brick masonry behaviour.