Abstract
The seismic vulnerability of ancient free-standing multidrum stone columns is an important issue for the preservation of Greek and Roman archaeological sites. Such elements show a complex and highly non-linear dynamic behavior, requiring specific and sophisticated structural analysis. Different numerical studies on the dynamic behavior of ancient multidrum stone columns found that their seismic response is sensitive to their geometrical parameters, as well as to the material elastic properties, the kinetic coefficient of friction and the amplitude and frequency of the seismic action. Therefore, in the present research, a detailed survey of free-standing multidrum stone columns representative of a wide range of elements at the Pompeii Archaeological site was developed to provide a primary evaluation of the seismic vulnerability of such elements based on their geometrical properties. The study focuses on 103 multidrum grey-tuff columns, from four areas at the site: tetrastyle atrium of Casa del Fauno at Regio VI and Quadriportico dei Teatri, Foro Triangolare and Palestra Sannitica at Regio VIII. Grey tuff was a typically locally sourced natural stone, used as a building material in ancient Pompeii. The research areas included both private (Casa del Fauno) and public buildings (Quadriportico dei Teatri, Foro Triangolare and Palestra Sannitica). The mean overall geometrical properties affecting the seismic behavior of the columns in each research area and the discussion of the collected results are herein presented.
Highlights
Columns are typical constructive elements of Greek and Roman architecture, present in many archaeological sites across the Mediterranean area
Different numerical studies on the dynamic behavior of ancient multidrum stone columns found that their seismic response is sensitive to their geometrical parameters, as well as to the material elastic properties, the kinetic coefficient of friction and the amplitude and frequency of the seismic action
In the present research, a detailed survey of free-standing multidrum stone columns representative of a wide range of elements at the Pompeii Archaeological site was developed to provide a primary evaluation of the seismic vulnerability of such elements based on their geometrical properties
Summary
Columns are typical constructive elements of Greek and Roman architecture, present in many archaeological sites across the Mediterranean area. According to available literature studies it can be summarized that: (i) in absence of specific damage (cracks, lacking parts, uneven profile), ancient columns can resist significant seismic actions [2,4]; (ii) the number of drums can affect the dynamic behavior of the columns and their influence is strongly related to the soil properties [4,12,13]; (iii) the higher the slenderness of the column, the higher the probability of failure [2,4]; (iv) for given slenderness, smaller columns have a higher probability of failure [2,4]; (v) the probability of failure is higher for long-period earthquakes than high-frequency ones [2,4,11,13]. The column-types surveyed and analyzed in each research area, the mean geometrical properties affecting their seismic behavior and their state of preservation are described in detail to provide a primary evaluation of the seismic vulnerability of such elements and a useful tool for a future numerical investigation
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