Numerical evaluation of the static and

seismic behavior of the basilica of Santa

Maria dell'Impruneta (Italy)
• Alejandra Ramos Zambrano 40171370
• Karol Cardona Briñez 40171312
• Leonardo Mora Susa 40171310
2018 II
INTRODUCTION
 The article analyzes the static behavior and seismic
vulnerability of the Basilica of Santa Maria dell'Impruneta,
one of the main basilicas built around Florence (Italy). As
church building represents a large portion of the Italian
(and European) cultural heritage particularly susceptible
to damage and prone to partial or total collapse under
earthquake loads.

Fuente: https://www.123rf.com/photo_36315389_historic-church-of-
impruneta-florence-tuscany-italy-.html
 DESCRIPTION OF THE STRUCTURE
 Is located in Impruneta, a small town near Florence (Italy).
 At present the design of the 14th century is still conserved. Although,
in the middle of the 15th century, the Basilica was completely
restructured ( but its geometric dimension was conserved)
according to the Renaissance style.
 The main dimensions of the nave were a maximum length of about
39.90 m, a maximum width of 14.50 m and a wall height of about
15.0 m. The masonry wall thickness ranges between 0.70 m (nave
walls) and 0.80 m (apse walls). The church roof (nave) is a timber
structure

Fuente:https://www.visittuscany.com/en/a
ttractions/basilica-of-santa-maria-in-
impruneta/
Fuente: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0950061810007063
Fuente: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0950061810007063
STATIC ANALYSIS
Vertical stresses (N/mm2)
):
Vertical stresses (N/mm2)
Vertical displacement (mm)
 The static structural behaviour of the Basilica has been
analysed under constant vertical loads deriving from the
own weight of masonry walls and from the roof loads (1.1
kN/m2 according to the Italian standard).
 In general, the stress state induced on the church by the
static vertical loads is quite moderate. The medium value of
compressive stresses on the nave walls is about 0.6 N/mm2.
A modest value of tensile stress appears on the top surface
of the nave walls, due to the timber roof loads but this is
mainly a local numerical effect depending on the punctual
connection between beam and solid elements.
Uniform load, y-direction. Displacement (mm).
SEISMIC LOADS
 The seismic loads have been evaluated according to
the Italian standard. For the case study the Class 1
spectrum has been assumed with a ground type A
(corresponding to rock or other rock-like geological
formation).
 The analysis of the seismic behaviour has been
analysed by using a nonlinear static analysis method:
under conditions of constant gravity loads a
monotonically increasing horizontal load.
 The effects of the seismic loads have been
evaluated by applying of two systems of
horizontal forces perpendicular to one
another. These forces, not acting
simultaneously, have been evaluated taking
into account two load distributions. The first
load distribution is directly proportional to
the church’s masses (uniform); the second
load distribution is proportional to the
product of the masses for the displacements
of the corresponding first modal shape.
These two load distributions could
be considered as two limit states
for the building’s capacity.
The first distributions assume that
the horizontal loads representative
of inertia seismic forces are
constant with respect to the
building’s height.
CONCLUSIONS
 The static analysis shows that, in general, the
structural configuration of the basilica is
adequate to support vertical loads; the most
stressed elements are the stone columns.
 Seismic analysis allows obtaining a projection
of the most vulnerable element of the
structural complex. This information can be
used to design various local reinforcement
settings.

Fuente: http://www.chianticlub.com/santuario-di-santa-maria-dellimpruneta/
 The critical behavior of the church is activated
when the seismic load is acting in the transverse
direction of the nave. This is mainly due to the
absence of a buttress capable of counteracting
the seismic action.
 Despite the good quality of the connection
between the walls and the wooden ceiling, this
does not produce an effort in this direction. Other
local collapses could arise in the local areas of the
church (the pronaos, tipping sidewalls) that
however do not involve the entire structure.
BIBLIOGRAPHY

 Betti, M., & Vignoli, A. (2011). Numerical assessment of the static and seismic
behaviour of the basilica of Santa Maria all’Impruneta (Italy). Florence:
Elsevier.