The restoration of San Paolo Church in Pisa: geotechnical aspects

San Paolo a Ripa d'Arno is an important medieval church located in Pisa. Structural diseases, following damages by bombing during World War II, have affected the church over the last decades. After recent earthquakes the statical situation has forced the local authorities to close the church to the public. A comprehensive investigation (geophysical, geotechnical, ground penetrating radar and a special technique to better investigate the foundation masonry) on both the subsoil and the structure has been carried out with the aim of conceiving, designing and implementing suitable remedial works. To investigate earthquake effects, a thorough analysis of local amplification of seismic action has been performed.