Pictures taken by Eng. Francesco Graziotti, Eng. Paolo Morandi and Eng. Martina Mandirola representing Eucentre.
Translation from Italian to English done by Elide Pantoli (University of California, San Diego)
Date: August 31st 2016
Building typology: Load-bearing masonry
Municipality: Venarotta (AP)
Epicentral distance: [28 km]
Description of the structure:
This building is isolated and situated on a slight slope. It is composed by two stories above ground ~450 m2 each (without levels below ground) and its main structure is composed by load bearing masonry. It was built in the XIX century and retrofit in the 1980s. The structure is created by stone masonry without any bond beam or chain. The non-thrusting roof is made by concrete and hollow clay bricks, while the floor slabs are semi-rigid.
Description of damage:
Visual inspection showed significant damage to part of the gravity load supporting system, especially the load bearing walls (piers), which exhibited shear cracks. This type of damage was especially pronounced in the northern side of the building, which was more flexible because of the presence of the portico. Cracks were also observed in the spandrels.
Damage to the heavy false ceilings were particularly pronounced at the edges of the second floor. It is important to notice that the attic of the structure contained a very heavy archive. Detachment of plaster and falling of internal objects were also observed, while no evidence of foundation settlement was present.
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| Figure 1. North side of the building. |
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| Figure 2. Shear cracks in a load bearing walls. | Figure 3. Shear crack in the spandrel. | Figure 4. Cracks in the heavy false ceilings. |
