PSI - Issue 44

P. Sorrentino et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 44 (2023) 1664–1671 P. Sorrentino et al. / Structural Integrity Procedia 00 (2022) 000 – 000

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3. Complexities and their structural implications In this S ection some complexities of masonry buildings are discussed throughout the case of San Carlo all’Arena Convent. In particular, in the following sections the issues of the historical modification, as additions in plan and in vertical direction, the aggregated buildings, the presence of different occupancy, geometrical complexities, foundations at different heights and the presence of alterations (in particular the addition of misaligned openings in vertical direction) are analysed and their structural implications are underlined. 3.1. Historical modifications In Figures 4a and 4b a representation of the historical analysis described in the current Section is shown by representing with different colours the part of each period of construction.

(b)

(a)

Figure 4. Historical analysis: (a) Plan and (b) façade.

The construction of the convent dates back to XVII century, when a first part was realized by the Order of Cistercians. In 1681 the friars to enlarge it began the construction of a second part which was completed in 1715. In 1755 the third part of the cloister was built and at the same time the façade of the adjacent church was completed. After the cholera of 1836, in homage to San Carlo, the saint intercessor, Francesco De Cesare was commissioned to draw up a restoration project. With this restoration the convent was transformed. The part on Via Foria was advanced and separated from the remaining part of the convent, to reduce the dangerous thrust of the hill; the courtyard of the cloister was reinforced by buttresses. Furthermore, a third level of the convent was added. In 1904-06 and in 1908 there were some enlargements. In particular, the staircase was rebuilt. In 1923, after the great fire of the Church, there were new renovations. In this period a fourth and last level was added (Maio et al. , 2016). The historical analysis shows the following complexities: 1. The building is the result of addition of parts built in different periods: the connections between the parts can be not adequate. For this reason, the analysis of single parts can be necessary to better understand the structural behaviour of the complex building, in particular with respect to horizontal loads. 2. The third and fourth floors have been added in successive years. This vertical addition can involve high values of vertical stress in piers as consequence. In this case the evaluation of vertical stresses assumes a great importance.

3.2. Different occupancy

The analysed building has a strong historical interest, also in consideration of its different occupancy over time. Originally it was Convent and housed the Order of Cistercians. In 1792 the Cistercians abandoned the church and