Reconstructions plans for historical built heritage damaged by the earthquake: methodology and challenges through the L’Aquila 2009 experience

The paper presents a methodological road-map to delineate reconstruction plans that are necessary when an earthquake event seriously damages widespread portions of the historical built heritage. Sant’Eusanio Forconese and Casentino (L’Aquila, Italy), seriously damaged by the 2009 Earthquake, are considered as study cases. Direct inspections on site have been carried out to recognise the most common types of masonries and a characterization of the masonry components, especially mortar which allows cohesion between the blocks, have been performed thanks to in situ and laboratory tests. In particular, the compressive strength of two kinds of mortar has been evaluated by means of in situ drilling tests; and the mineralogical composition of the same mortars were determined by means of powder X-ray Diffraction and thin sections (optical microscope in transmitted light). An experimental campaign through flat jacks was carried out with the aim to determine elastic modulus and compressive strength of a wall specimen for each identified masonry type, and results were compared with those of MQI. The study permitted the collection of data useful for designing the seismic improvement of historic masonry buildings.