Guide for the Structural Rehabilitation of Heritage ... - Test Input

- Alteration of the distribution of loads(sometimes, loads are taken off or addedin certain zones of the element,particularly, fillings);- Actions not foreseen: differentialsettlements of the supports (Fig. 7), etc;- Inadequate maintenance: degradation ofthe constituent materials, weakness of tierodsand buttresses, etc.Masonry vaults supported by steel beamsin building floors are particularly sensitive tolateral movements of the supports, due totheir, usually, low rise.Figure 7: Cracks in a masonry vault (24)c) Towers and chimneysThese types of elements are characterizedby being, in general, subjected to highcompression stresses in the bottom zone,which can lead to the development ofvertical cracks, as referred to for walls (Fig.8).They are particularly sensitive to movementsof the foundations and to alterations, namelyto the introduction of openings. Prismaticelements can also be weakened byimperfect connections between walls.d) Framed elementsThe main problems encountered with framedelements of timber or steel, used as thestructure of the roofs or floors of buildings,are the deformation of the elements or of thejoints, due to excessive loads or to actionsnot took into account in the design, such asearthquakes, for example.Figure 8: Vertical cracking in a masonry chimney(21)3.5 Detailed assessment3.5.1 GeneralAs referred to above, when the available information is not sufficient to elaborate thediagnosis of the situation in the building, the preliminary assessment will be complementedby a detailed assessment of the building. This detailed assessment will include a detailedinspection, which can comprise in-situ tests, laboratory tests, field tests, assessment of thefoundations and also field measurements.16/48