The Medicean Aqueduct of Pisa (Tuscany, Italy), is a relevant historical infrastructure built at the end of the XVI century, composed of 954 masonry arches over a total length of 6 km. Many of the arches are affected with several decay phenomena, which occurred during the years, due to ordinary and extraordinary causes. These have changed the original static arrangement, so that several arches are collapsed or degraded. It is worthwhile to point out that originally the foundation was supported by wooden piles that probably have been totally or partially deteriorated with time. A research activity is undergoing in order to understand the causes that induced the alteration of the original static model and to design necessary countermeasures. Anyway, the present paper illustrates the possible use of such a case history as educational material related to: durability, maintenance and preservation of historical heritage. The multidisciplinary nature of the case history is also pointed out. As for the research project the following activities have already been carried out by the research team, which consists of structural, geotechnical engineering and geophysicists: • analysis of the historic documentation; • accurate survey of the geometric characteristics of most of the structure above ground (the typology of the building materials and the decay phenomena were carefully catalogued); • geotechnical investigations (along the structure) consisting of boreholes, laboratory testing, piezocone testing and geophysical testing. On the contrary, it was not yet possible to assess the foundation geometry. Direct investigations are not possible for safety problems. Indirect investigations by means of geo-radar are planned at the end of the dry season. Since the masonry behaves according to a set of specific macro-elements, namely of rigid-bodies, the structural analysis mainly concerns the identification of these macro-elements and the related failure mechanisms activated by specific actions, such as the settlement of foundation or earthquakes. The structure has been studied with various types of analysis. Since the various aspects of the structural behaviour are captured by different methods, comprehensive answers are obtained only through a combined approach.

Learning from the observation of failures

CROCE, PIETRO;BECONCINI, MARIA LUISA;LO PRESTI, DIEGO CARLO;SQUEGLIA, NUNZIANTE
2015-01-01

Abstract

The Medicean Aqueduct of Pisa (Tuscany, Italy), is a relevant historical infrastructure built at the end of the XVI century, composed of 954 masonry arches over a total length of 6 km. Many of the arches are affected with several decay phenomena, which occurred during the years, due to ordinary and extraordinary causes. These have changed the original static arrangement, so that several arches are collapsed or degraded. It is worthwhile to point out that originally the foundation was supported by wooden piles that probably have been totally or partially deteriorated with time. A research activity is undergoing in order to understand the causes that induced the alteration of the original static model and to design necessary countermeasures. Anyway, the present paper illustrates the possible use of such a case history as educational material related to: durability, maintenance and preservation of historical heritage. The multidisciplinary nature of the case history is also pointed out. As for the research project the following activities have already been carried out by the research team, which consists of structural, geotechnical engineering and geophysicists: • analysis of the historic documentation; • accurate survey of the geometric characteristics of most of the structure above ground (the typology of the building materials and the decay phenomena were carefully catalogued); • geotechnical investigations (along the structure) consisting of boreholes, laboratory testing, piezocone testing and geophysical testing. On the contrary, it was not yet possible to assess the foundation geometry. Direct investigations are not possible for safety problems. Indirect investigations by means of geo-radar are planned at the end of the dry season. Since the masonry behaves according to a set of specific macro-elements, namely of rigid-bodies, the structural analysis mainly concerns the identification of these macro-elements and the related failure mechanisms activated by specific actions, such as the settlement of foundation or earthquakes. The structure has been studied with various types of analysis. Since the various aspects of the structural behaviour are captured by different methods, comprehensive answers are obtained only through a combined approach.
2015
9781479987078
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11568/851085
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