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

the foundations (Fig. 35b). Another possibility will be the installation of visco-elastic dampers inthe connections between the main parts of the building, or the insertion of additional diagonalelements (similar to that on Fig. 35a).Elimination of existing irregularities in the building, namely, the distribution of stiffness,strength, or mass, will also be a positive measure, but it will be possible only in buildingswithout significant cultural value. In any case, the reduction of dead weights in floors androofs (filling cabinets, etc), when possible, is usually beneficial for the building.Relatively simple measures also exist that,although not completely solving theproblem, can significantly improve thesafety of a building against earthquakes.They are the measures aimed at insuringthat the building behaves as a whole,through the realisation of good interactionbetween walls and floors, in order toachieve the “box-effect” in the building.The most common solution is the insertionof tie-rods, whether metallic or of othermaterial, (as referred to for arches andvaults), placed in the two principaldirections of the building, at the level offloor diaphragms, and corresponding tobearing walls, anchored to the masonry byplates (Fig 36).Figure 36: Tying of the building with tie-rods for theachievement of the “box-effect” (27)Another possible solution will consist inthe insertion of devices, usually in steel, to make and effective connection between the walls,and the walls and the floors, in the corners (Fig. 37).Figure 37: Steel device to connect a wooden floorwith walls integrating wooden elements (21)Figure 38: Connection system between woodenfloors and masonry walls (41)43/48