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Dr. Nicola Ruggieri
Soprintendenza Archeologia Belle Arti e Paesaggio per la provincia di Cosenza

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Research Keywords & Expertise

0 Conservation
0 Seismic Vulnerability
0 History of construction
0 Historic timber frames
0 Ancient Timber structure

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Conservation
Seismic Vulnerability

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Short Biography

Nicola Ruggieri, Ph.D., is an architect who specializes in historical timber structures and construction history. He was the Italian delegate at the EU-COST ACTION FP1101/Assessment, Reinforcement and Monitoring of Timber Structures (Trento, London, Antalya, Praga, Trondheim, Wroclaw). He was member of the scientific committee of numerous international conference (HEaRT, Cosenza, 2013, Lisbon, 2015; RIPAM 8.5, Florence, 2020; YOCUCO Matera, 2018). He is the author of more than 100 publications (monographs, scientific articles, conference papers, editorships) and has taught at the University of Calabria, Sapienza of Rome, Roma Tre, Florence, Naples and Perugia. Since 2016, he is visiting Professor at the 2nd Level Master of Seismic Structural Improvement, Restoration and Repair of Historical Buildings, University of Ferrara, Italy. From 2015 to 2018, he was member of the Segreteria Tecnica di Progettazione of the Parco Archeologico di Pompei. Since 2019, he is expert member of International Scientific Committee on the Analysis and Restoration of Structures of Architectural Heritage (ISCARSAH) – ICOMOS and of International Wood Committee (IIWC) – ICOMOS. He was the author of many projects on Architectural Heritage (i.e. Cathedral of Catanzaro; Cathedral of Cosenza; Ex Real Polverificio Borbonico of Scafati; Monumental Tomb of Porta Stabia, Pompeii; Insula Meridionalis, Pompeii). Since 2018 he is official of the Italian Ministery of Cultural Heritage.

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Book chapter
Published: 14 May 2021 in Masonry Construction in Active Seismic Regions
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The Borbone antiseismic system, which was born following the earthquake that hit Calabria Ulteriore in 1783, destroying a large part of the built environment and causing more than 35,000 victims, is analyzed here in light of very different knowledge and disciplines. The comparison is between the analysis of historical sources, the profound recognition and detailed survey of the construction technique, the experimental tests on faithful reproductions, and the validation of the physical-mathematical models, typical tools of contemporary seismic culture. From this comparison of methods and disciplines, typical of History, Conservation and Structural Engineering, a deep knowledge of the technique and the implications of this construction system and a generic judgment of efficacy and modernity are obtained. In addition, detailed mathematical models, capable of reproducing the experimental tests, have been calibrated and validated, and these are the first step toward a coarse modeling of an entire building, as well as a further contribution to the modeling of other wood-framed masonry systems. This work also helps to combat the skepticism of those who consider historical construction systems too complex to be framed in modern safety and risk theory.

ACS Style

Stefano Galassi; Enrico Pagano; Nicola Ruggieri; Ginevra Salerno; Giacomo Tempesta. The Borbone's antiseismic system: Historical, constructive, and structural analysis. Masonry Construction in Active Seismic Regions 2021, 175 -211.

AMA Style

Stefano Galassi, Enrico Pagano, Nicola Ruggieri, Ginevra Salerno, Giacomo Tempesta. The Borbone's antiseismic system: Historical, constructive, and structural analysis. Masonry Construction in Active Seismic Regions. 2021; ():175-211.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Stefano Galassi; Enrico Pagano; Nicola Ruggieri; Ginevra Salerno; Giacomo Tempesta. 2021. "The Borbone's antiseismic system: Historical, constructive, and structural analysis." Masonry Construction in Active Seismic Regions , no. : 175-211.

Journal article
Published: 22 April 2021 in Sustainability
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An earthquake of magnitude 4.3 MW struck Cosenza (Calabria region, South Italy) and its immediate area on 24 February 2020. Although no damage was reported to ordinary masonry buildings, the ancient masonry churches suffered widespread damage. The herein article presents an analysis of the failures suffered by monumental buildings (e.g., churches) following a moderate seismic action. The contribution is based on the in situ damage observation of 14 churches, with a dating ranging from the 12th to 20th century. The study consists of a first phase, in which the different damage modes are identified, describing their causes and effects, and a second phase that correlates the damage detected to the main parameters that influence the seismic response of the churches (geometric characteristics, boundary condition, masonry and floor organization, past interventions, etc.), regardless of the state of conservation that was discrete for all buildings before the telluric event. From the rapid visual survey, the “weight” of each seismic parameter on the type of damage detected was then established. The past “retrofitting” interventions were decisive in the response of the ancient structure, with particular regard to those that made an aggravation of seismic mass and an increase in stiffness.

ACS Style

Nicola Ruggieri. Damage Assessment of Historical Masonry Churches Subjected to Moderate Intensity Seismic Shaking. Sustainability 2021, 13, 4710 .

AMA Style

Nicola Ruggieri. Damage Assessment of Historical Masonry Churches Subjected to Moderate Intensity Seismic Shaking. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (9):4710.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nicola Ruggieri. 2021. "Damage Assessment of Historical Masonry Churches Subjected to Moderate Intensity Seismic Shaking." Sustainability 13, no. 9: 4710.

Research article
Published: 09 February 2021 in International Journal of Architectural Heritage
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The high-magnitude 1783 earthquakes that hit the Calabria Ulteriore caused the destruction of most of the built environment as well as numerous fatalities. Following such a catastrophe, the ruler of the Regno di Napoli launched an ambitious reconstruction plan, regulated by the enactment of a code whose principles anticipate those on which modern seismic engineering relies. The Borbone government regulation, in addition to referring to new buildings, also established provisions on how to repair and retrofit existing buildings. A singular application of the latter instructions, unknown to the scientific literature on the topic, emerged in a recent strengthening intervention of a church in the Catanzaro area (Calabria region) that was repaired in the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes of the late eighteenth century. Confirmation of the use of such a seismic retrofitting system came from some ancient documents found in the archive of the Cassa Sacra preserved in Catanzaro, which describe in detail restoration work following the earthquake of 1783. Furthermore, the paper addresses a qualitative seismic assessment of that construction system and proposes strengthening measures for its conservation.

ACS Style

Nicola Ruggieri. New Insights on the Borbone Construction System: a Peculiar 18th Century Retrofitting Solution for Earthquake Damaged Churches. International Journal of Architectural Heritage 2021, 1 -17.

AMA Style

Nicola Ruggieri. New Insights on the Borbone Construction System: a Peculiar 18th Century Retrofitting Solution for Earthquake Damaged Churches. International Journal of Architectural Heritage. 2021; ():1-17.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nicola Ruggieri. 2021. "New Insights on the Borbone Construction System: a Peculiar 18th Century Retrofitting Solution for Earthquake Damaged Churches." International Journal of Architectural Heritage , no. : 1-17.

Journal article
Published: 05 January 2021 in Sustainability
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The conservation of ancient structures is, in the construction panorama, a highly eco-sustainable operation. In fact, it provides for a very limited consumption of resources. This article provides an in-depth analysis of ancient wooden material, an essential element for drawing up correct conservation interventions. Ancient timber beams have a peculiar morphology of failure dependent on many factors, among which are the species of wood, the quality of the material-knots, presence of fissures caused by shrinkage (checks), direction of the grain, and environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity. In addition, it is linked to load conditions and static configuration. This paper presents a case study of failed ancient timber members still in place and describes the type of failure as well as the origin and propagation of the cracks. The objective is to provide a classification of the causes and of the effects and their evolution, useful to practitioners and to those who have to make decisions on the timber structures conservation.

ACS Style

Nicola Ruggieri. In Situ Observations on the Crack Morphology in the Ancient Timber Beams. Sustainability 2021, 13, 439 .

AMA Style

Nicola Ruggieri. In Situ Observations on the Crack Morphology in the Ancient Timber Beams. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (1):439.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nicola Ruggieri. 2021. "In Situ Observations on the Crack Morphology in the Ancient Timber Beams." Sustainability 13, no. 1: 439.

Journal article
Published: 25 December 2019 in Journal of Cultural Heritage
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ACS Style

Nicola Ruggieri; Stefano Galassi; Giacomo Tempesta. The effect of pyroclastic flows of the 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius on the Pompeii's city walls. The case study of the sector near the Tower XI. Journal of Cultural Heritage 2019, 43, 235 -241.

AMA Style

Nicola Ruggieri, Stefano Galassi, Giacomo Tempesta. The effect of pyroclastic flows of the 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius on the Pompeii's city walls. The case study of the sector near the Tower XI. Journal of Cultural Heritage. 2019; 43 ():235-241.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nicola Ruggieri; Stefano Galassi; Giacomo Tempesta. 2019. "The effect of pyroclastic flows of the 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius on the Pompeii's city walls. The case study of the sector near the Tower XI." Journal of Cultural Heritage 43, no. : 235-241.

Conference paper
Published: 01 January 2019 in High Performance Fiber Reinforced Cement Composites 6
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Architectural ruins in archeological sites constitutes cultural heritage of a country. Every day there is the risk of archaeological artifacts being lost or of undergoing a slow and progressive deterioration, for at least three reasons: the presence of visitors who are often the cause of damage, the material vulnerabilities and the intrinsic vulnerabilities of ruined constructions. Leaving aside the first type, material vulnerability is primarily due to chemical and physical transformations undergone by the artifact which has been buried for a long time. After excavation, their prolonged exposure to weathering, frost-thaw alternate cycles, humidity variation, etc., reduce mechanical properties of materials such as stones and mortars. Furthermore, ruined constructions are lacking in most of the original structural portions which acted as constraints and therefore they are in the condition of unstable equilibrium and are very vulnerable under seismic actions. Indeed, (timber) floors are the first members which undergo decay or collapse. Therefore, archaeological artifacts generally appear as a discontinuous set of walls or columns and consequently easily vulnerable. Lastly, ruins retain “memory” of past events, visible in the cracking patterns and collapses provoked by seismic events which make them even more vulnerable. In this paper the analysis of main vulnerabilities of ruined constructions is performed. The analysis is carried out on meaningful case studies in the archeological site of Pompeii and Arpino (Italy), using a structural software suitably developed by the authors, and provides data to allow one to propose targeted methodologies for protection and conservation.

ACS Style

Stefano Galassi; Nicola Ruggieri; Giacomo Tempesta. Ruins and Archaeological Artifacts: Vulnerabilities Analysis for Their Conservation Through the Original Computer Program BrickWORK. High Performance Fiber Reinforced Cement Composites 6 2019, 1839 -1848.

AMA Style

Stefano Galassi, Nicola Ruggieri, Giacomo Tempesta. Ruins and Archaeological Artifacts: Vulnerabilities Analysis for Their Conservation Through the Original Computer Program BrickWORK. High Performance Fiber Reinforced Cement Composites 6. 2019; ():1839-1848.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Stefano Galassi; Nicola Ruggieri; Giacomo Tempesta. 2019. "Ruins and Archaeological Artifacts: Vulnerabilities Analysis for Their Conservation Through the Original Computer Program BrickWORK." High Performance Fiber Reinforced Cement Composites 6 , no. : 1839-1848.

Journal article
Published: 21 December 2018 in The European Physical Journal Plus
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In the archaeological site of Pompeii, epigraphs Tituli Picti applied on stone, such as Campanian ignimbrite in Oscan and Latin language, were surveyed by different authors. Although there are several publications concerning the building materials and artefacts of Pompeii, the scientific literature lacks of studies regarding the knowledge and conservation of such paints. The diagnostic and conservation project is aimed at determining the execution technique, as well as at defining the state of conservation of the Tituli Picti realized on the Campanian ignimbrite. In addition, the study will provide experimental data useful to suggest proper conservation procedures, mainly in terms of protective and consolidating products to be used. Results carried out by means of Optical Microscopy, Electron Probe Microanalysis, portable XRF and portable Raman techniques revealed that the epigraphs were applied on the stone surface, without any setting layer. Hematite-based red ochre was detected as pigment. On the contrary, it is still unclear if any substance was used to bind the pigment on the stone substrate. The subsequent stage of the project will include the reproduction of Tituli Picti in laboratory and the development of suitable conservation procedures to be tested in situ.

ACS Style

Natalia Rovella; Anna Arcudi; Vincenza Crupi; Mauro Francesco La Russa; Domenico Majolino; Massimo Osanna; Rossella Pace; Silvestro Antonio Ruffolo; Michela Ricca; Nicola Ruggieri; Valentina Venuti. Tituli Picti in the archaeological site of Pompeii: diagnostic analysis and conservation strategies. The European Physical Journal Plus 2018, 133, 539 .

AMA Style

Natalia Rovella, Anna Arcudi, Vincenza Crupi, Mauro Francesco La Russa, Domenico Majolino, Massimo Osanna, Rossella Pace, Silvestro Antonio Ruffolo, Michela Ricca, Nicola Ruggieri, Valentina Venuti. Tituli Picti in the archaeological site of Pompeii: diagnostic analysis and conservation strategies. The European Physical Journal Plus. 2018; 133 (12):539.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Natalia Rovella; Anna Arcudi; Vincenza Crupi; Mauro Francesco La Russa; Domenico Majolino; Massimo Osanna; Rossella Pace; Silvestro Antonio Ruffolo; Michela Ricca; Nicola Ruggieri; Valentina Venuti. 2018. "Tituli Picti in the archaeological site of Pompeii: diagnostic analysis and conservation strategies." The European Physical Journal Plus 133, no. 12: 539.

Journal article
Published: 18 December 2018 in Construction and Building Materials
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The scope of this paper is to analyse local phenomena associated with the damage progression and post-elastic behaviour of a historical timber-framed wall system under cyclic loads. It was assessed on series of points identified on the wall by processing time-resolved sequences of images. Dedicated methodology of image-based tracking method was developed to analyse local phenomena, such as relative displacements, rotations and deformations in the wall. It was possible to deduce that plastic deformations and local damage occurred in some joints. This type of observation is important for the design of rigorous strengthening or repair interventions.

ACS Style

Jakub Sandak; Mariapaola Riggio; Nicola Ruggieri; Anna Sandak. Damage progression analysis in a historical timber framed wall under cyclic loads through an image-based tracking method. Construction and Building Materials 2018, 199, 483 -491.

AMA Style

Jakub Sandak, Mariapaola Riggio, Nicola Ruggieri, Anna Sandak. Damage progression analysis in a historical timber framed wall under cyclic loads through an image-based tracking method. Construction and Building Materials. 2018; 199 ():483-491.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jakub Sandak; Mariapaola Riggio; Nicola Ruggieri; Anna Sandak. 2018. "Damage progression analysis in a historical timber framed wall under cyclic loads through an image-based tracking method." Construction and Building Materials 199, no. : 483-491.

Conference paper
Published: 05 December 2018 in MATEC Web of Conferences
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The paper deals with the state of the knowledge on wood material used for constructions during the 1st century in Herculaneum, focusing in particular on the analysis of durability measures and for limiting the effects of timber shrinkage. The study founds on the historical literature and on the finds exceptionally conserved in the archaeological site “thanks” to the Vesuvius’ eruption.

ACS Style

Nicola Ruggieri. Timber “Science” in Herculaneum during the 1st Century A.D. MATEC Web of Conferences 2018, 242, 01020 .

AMA Style

Nicola Ruggieri. Timber “Science” in Herculaneum during the 1st Century A.D. MATEC Web of Conferences. 2018; 242 ():01020.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nicola Ruggieri. 2018. "Timber “Science” in Herculaneum during the 1st Century A.D." MATEC Web of Conferences 242, no. : 01020.

Journal article
Published: 01 December 2018 in Journal of Architectural Engineering
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On the basis of a critical analysis of damage produced by earthquakes, over time, traditional construction techniques have developed effective solutions for earthquake-resistant buildings. Meaningful examples of this can be found within the vernacular tradition of the Mediterranean area, which is characterized by frequently recurring seismic events. Specifically, in southern Italy and in the Greek Ionian Islands, two interesting construction types still survive and merit special attention in relation to the structural solutions adopted, which are consistent with modern views of earthquake-resistant design. In both cases, the mixed use of timber and masonry is present, although with different modalities and purposes; indeed, in the Italian case, timber elements are present over the building’s entire height as an additional bracing system, whereas in the Greek one, timber is used at the second and third stories to reduce the structural mass. In this work, two selected case studies are presented, through which the distinctive construction details of each tradition are commented on.

ACS Style

Sandra Tonna; Nicola Ruggieri; Claudio Chesi. Comparison between Two Traditional Earthquake-Proof Solutions: Borbone and Lefkada Timber-Frame Systems. Journal of Architectural Engineering 2018, 24, 04018030 .

AMA Style

Sandra Tonna, Nicola Ruggieri, Claudio Chesi. Comparison between Two Traditional Earthquake-Proof Solutions: Borbone and Lefkada Timber-Frame Systems. Journal of Architectural Engineering. 2018; 24 (4):04018030.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Sandra Tonna; Nicola Ruggieri; Claudio Chesi. 2018. "Comparison between Two Traditional Earthquake-Proof Solutions: Borbone and Lefkada Timber-Frame Systems." Journal of Architectural Engineering 24, no. 4: 04018030.

Journal article
Published: 02 October 2018 in Materials Characterization
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Twenty-six samples of mortar used for various construction applications (joint mortars, floor mortars, filling mortars and plasters) were collected from different areas of the archaeological site of Pompeii (Campania - Sothern Italy). The mortar samples belong to various historical periods covering approximately 2000 years, from the 2nd century BC to the post excavation period (18–19th century). The samples were characterized employing Optical Microscopy (OM), X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD), X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), Electron Probe Micro Analysis (EPMA) and Raman Spectroscopy. Moreover, image analysis was carried out using JMicroVision software in order to determine the percentages of binder, macropores and aggregate, in terms of crushed ceramic fragments (cocciopesto), rock fragments and monocrystals. The application of these techniques allowed obtaining a complete chemical and minero-petrographic characterization of the samples, which may prove useful for preparing compatible repair mortars for future restoration works. The archaeometric study provided new data on the production technology of the mortars and the analogies and differences observed among the samples, enabled us to distinguish different constructive phases, thus confirming or rebutting the archaeological hypothesis on the dating of some samples. By combining compositional variables through the discriminant analysis, it was also possible to analyse the time evolution of the materials and to construct preliminary multivariate statistical models, helpful to identify the various typologies of mortars used in the different historical periods.

ACS Style

Domenico Miriello; Andrea Bloise; Gino M. Crisci; Raffaella De Luca; Bruno De Nigris; Alberta Martellone; Massimo Osanna; Rossella Pace; Alessandra Pecci; Nicola Ruggieri. New compositional data on ancient mortars and plasters from Pompeii (Campania – Southern Italy): Archaeometric results and considerations about their time evolution. Materials Characterization 2018, 146, 189 -203.

AMA Style

Domenico Miriello, Andrea Bloise, Gino M. Crisci, Raffaella De Luca, Bruno De Nigris, Alberta Martellone, Massimo Osanna, Rossella Pace, Alessandra Pecci, Nicola Ruggieri. New compositional data on ancient mortars and plasters from Pompeii (Campania – Southern Italy): Archaeometric results and considerations about their time evolution. Materials Characterization. 2018; 146 ():189-203.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Domenico Miriello; Andrea Bloise; Gino M. Crisci; Raffaella De Luca; Bruno De Nigris; Alberta Martellone; Massimo Osanna; Rossella Pace; Alessandra Pecci; Nicola Ruggieri. 2018. "New compositional data on ancient mortars and plasters from Pompeii (Campania – Southern Italy): Archaeometric results and considerations about their time evolution." Materials Characterization 146, no. : 189-203.

Articles
Published: 02 September 2018 in Journal of Architectural Conservation
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The Berber roof is a vernacular structure consisting of timber members, exploited for covering residential buildings or craft shops, characterized by a carpentry that was mostly developed in the Tangeri-Tétouan-Al Hoceima Region northern Morocco. The simplest structural scheme consists of sloping common rafters supported by a ridge beam and the peripheral walls in such a way as to form a double pitched roof. However, in the case of wider rooms, a variation to the scheme often occurs, aided by intermediate ‘supporting structures’, placed at a very limited spacing through the roof, built in such a way as to reduce the bending deflection of the ridge beam and the roof pitches. These supporting structures are composed of king post truss shaped timber members; nevertheless, both in the choice of the member cross sections and in the connection joints, they look absolutely like original constructions. The solutions adopted by the local master builders have been analysed and verified by using FEM models, that have highlighted criticalities and pointed out the reason why these structures are very deformed nowadays. Lastly, a reinforcing system compatible with the local resources and techniques, used to preserve the surveyed Berber structures, has been devised.

ACS Style

Stefano Galassi; Nicola Ruggieri; Letizia DiPasquale; Giacomo Tempesta. Assessment of the Moroccan vernacular timber roof: a proposal for an eco-friendly strengthening system. Journal of Architectural Conservation 2018, 24, 224 -248.

AMA Style

Stefano Galassi, Nicola Ruggieri, Letizia DiPasquale, Giacomo Tempesta. Assessment of the Moroccan vernacular timber roof: a proposal for an eco-friendly strengthening system. Journal of Architectural Conservation. 2018; 24 (3):224-248.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Stefano Galassi; Nicola Ruggieri; Letizia DiPasquale; Giacomo Tempesta. 2018. "Assessment of the Moroccan vernacular timber roof: a proposal for an eco-friendly strengthening system." Journal of Architectural Conservation 24, no. 3: 224-248.

Journal article
Published: 01 September 2018 in Journal of Architectural Engineering
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This article presents the results of an investigation on the building system of the Andalusian timber roof, which is widespread in northern Morocco. The structural behavior of the Andalusian timber roof structures surveyed in the medina of Chefchaouen is analyzed in depth. The analysis, carried out using finite-element models, allowed for assessment of the structural behavior of the structure but also highlighted some weaknesses that are inherent to this building system. These weaknesses are primarily due to the presence of unilateral connection elements that ensure efficiency only under specific stress conditions and also to the lack of efficiency of the connection between load-bearing elements of the roof and the surrounding walls. The detected horizontal displacement of supports explains the cracking pattern that is usually visible at the top of walls just under the level of the gutter. A parametric analysis was performed, revealing that the weaknesses of the system do not present specific criticalities in the geographic context in which the system is developed. Nevertheless, some crucial strengthening interventions are proven to be necessary for esuring that all timber elements can suitably contribute to the overall equilibrium of the structure in the case of an earthquake.

ACS Style

Stefano Galassi; Letizia DiPasquale; Nicola Ruggieri; Giacomo Tempesta. Andalusian Timber Roof Structure in Chefchaouen, Northern Morocco: Construction Technique and Structural Behavior. Journal of Architectural Engineering 2018, 24, 04018012 .

AMA Style

Stefano Galassi, Letizia DiPasquale, Nicola Ruggieri, Giacomo Tempesta. Andalusian Timber Roof Structure in Chefchaouen, Northern Morocco: Construction Technique and Structural Behavior. Journal of Architectural Engineering. 2018; 24 (3):04018012.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Stefano Galassi; Letizia DiPasquale; Nicola Ruggieri; Giacomo Tempesta. 2018. "Andalusian Timber Roof Structure in Chefchaouen, Northern Morocco: Construction Technique and Structural Behavior." Journal of Architectural Engineering 24, no. 3: 04018012.

Articles
Published: 15 August 2018 in International Journal of Architectural Heritage
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Ancient masonry constructions in archaeological sites are often ruins or remains of wider portions. Therefore, archaeological artifacts generally occur as a discontinuous set of walls or columns detached from the original context. The absence of most of the original structural portions makes them much more vulnerable. Indeed, even if their current existing condition is an indicator of their equilibrium condition under gravitational loads, this condition is not sufficient to guarantee their preservation in the case of an unexpected earthquake. Furthermore, the cracking patterns and collapses make them even more vulnerable. For these reasons, the vulnerability of ruins should be addressed as regard to the possible failure mechanisms that can be activated by seismic actions. Accordingly, in this article a novel and targeted numerical tool for seismic vulnerability assessment of remains in archaeological sites, that considers collapse mechanisms occurrence as the main cause of masonry constructions being lost, is presented. Results of the numerical procedure proposed are compared with the results obtained by the canonical formulation of virtual works. Finally, the seismic vulnerability level of selected masonry constructions in the archaeological sites of Pompeii and Arpino (Italy) has been assessed by the use of this procedure.

ACS Style

Stefano Galassi; Nicola Ruggieri; Giacomo Tempesta. A Novel Numerical Tool for Seismic Vulnerability Analysis of Ruins in Archaeological Sites. International Journal of Architectural Heritage 2018, 14, 1 -22.

AMA Style

Stefano Galassi, Nicola Ruggieri, Giacomo Tempesta. A Novel Numerical Tool for Seismic Vulnerability Analysis of Ruins in Archaeological Sites. International Journal of Architectural Heritage. 2018; 14 (1):1-22.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Stefano Galassi; Nicola Ruggieri; Giacomo Tempesta. 2018. "A Novel Numerical Tool for Seismic Vulnerability Analysis of Ruins in Archaeological Sites." International Journal of Architectural Heritage 14, no. 1: 1-22.

Original articles
Published: 06 June 2018 in International Journal of Architectural Heritage
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We report on a historical study and on the evaluation of the structural performance of an innovative vaulting system developed in the 17th and 18th centuries. This peculiar construction technique, which employed clay hollow cylinders as construction blocks, was used to reduce erection times and costs as well as to guarantee several static and functional benefits connected to the reduced weight and high isolating performance of these elements. The static performance of the structure is assessed by employing the Thrust Network Analysis technique, a recently formulated methodology used to study the equilibrium of masonry shells. It is shown by numerical comparisons that the actual geometry of these structures sensibly influences their equilibrium. For this reason, the combination of several innovative surveying techniques has been employed to increase the accuracy of the geometrical model.

ACS Style

Francesco Marmo; Nicola Ruggieri; Ferdinando Toraldo; Luciano Rosati. Historical study and static assessment of an innovative vaulting technique of the 19th century. International Journal of Architectural Heritage 2018, 13, 799 -819.

AMA Style

Francesco Marmo, Nicola Ruggieri, Ferdinando Toraldo, Luciano Rosati. Historical study and static assessment of an innovative vaulting technique of the 19th century. International Journal of Architectural Heritage. 2018; 13 (6):799-819.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Francesco Marmo; Nicola Ruggieri; Ferdinando Toraldo; Luciano Rosati. 2018. "Historical study and static assessment of an innovative vaulting technique of the 19th century." International Journal of Architectural Heritage 13, no. 6: 799-819.

Journal article
Published: 27 March 2018 in Minerals
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During the excavations carried out in Via di Mercurio (Regio VI, 9, 3) in Pompeii, in 2015, some red, green, black, and brown wall painting fragments were found in the preparatory layer of an ancient pavement which was probably built after the 62 AD earthquake. These fragments, derived from the rubble, were used as coarse aggregate to prepare the mortar for building the pavement. The wall painting fragments are exceptionally well preserved, which is an uncommon occurrence in the city of Pompeii. However, as they were enclosed in the mortar, the wall painting fragments were protected from the high temperatures (probably ranging between 180 °C and 380 °C) produced by the eruption in 79 AD. The pigmented outer surface of each sample was analyzed using a non-destructive multi-analytical approach, by combining spectrophotometric colorimetry and portable X-ray fluorescence with micro-Raman spectroscopy. The compositional characterization of the samples revealed the presence of cuprorivaite, goethite, and celadonite in the green pigments; hematite in the red pigments; goethite in the brown pigment; and charcoal in the black pigment. These data probably provide us with the most “faithful picture” of the various red, green, black, and brown pigments used in Pompeii prior to the 79 AD eruption.

ACS Style

Domenico Miriello; Andrea Bloise; Gino M. Crisci; Raffaella De Luca; Bruno De Nigris; Alberta Martellone; Massimo Osanna; Rossella Pace; Alessandra Pecci; Nicola Ruggieri. Non-Destructive Multi-Analytical Approach to Study the Pigments of Wall Painting Fragments Reused in Mortars from the Archaeological Site of Pompeii (Italy). Minerals 2018, 8, 134 .

AMA Style

Domenico Miriello, Andrea Bloise, Gino M. Crisci, Raffaella De Luca, Bruno De Nigris, Alberta Martellone, Massimo Osanna, Rossella Pace, Alessandra Pecci, Nicola Ruggieri. Non-Destructive Multi-Analytical Approach to Study the Pigments of Wall Painting Fragments Reused in Mortars from the Archaeological Site of Pompeii (Italy). Minerals. 2018; 8 (4):134.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Domenico Miriello; Andrea Bloise; Gino M. Crisci; Raffaella De Luca; Bruno De Nigris; Alberta Martellone; Massimo Osanna; Rossella Pace; Alessandra Pecci; Nicola Ruggieri. 2018. "Non-Destructive Multi-Analytical Approach to Study the Pigments of Wall Painting Fragments Reused in Mortars from the Archaeological Site of Pompeii (Italy)." Minerals 8, no. 4: 134.

Original articles
Published: 17 January 2018 in International Journal of Architectural Heritage
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The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD buried and preserved the Stabian Baths building in the exact configuration which the archaeological excavations carried out in the second half of the 19th century recovered. By combining archeologists’ studies with the analysis of deformations and cracking pattern due to the 1st century seismic events, in this article numerical models have been formulated which allowed the formation of some hypotheses coherent on the timeline of the events, the damage to as well as the change of the shape and stylistic language of the thermal building. Specifically, through global seismic analyses and kinematic analyses of masonry portions of the “destrictarium” block, it is proven that during the 1st century not only a sole catastrophic earthquake occurred but, at least, two important seismic events took place. The purpose of this article is to identify and parameterize the responsible earthquake by the analysis of seismic effects detectable in the damages and archaeological remains of the masonry walls of the Stabian Baths. The identification of the earthquake and the grading of provoked damages represent a useful knowledge tool that provides information about the vulnerability of ancient buildings and can be suitably used also to safeguard architectural heritage from seismic risk.

ACS Style

Nicola Ruggieri; Stefano Galassi; Giacomo Tempesta; Ruggieri Nicola; Galassi Stefano; Tempesta Giacomo. Pompeii’s Stabian Baths. Mechanical behavior assessment of selected masonry structures during the 1st century seismic events. International Journal of Architectural Heritage 2018, 12, 859 -878.

AMA Style

Nicola Ruggieri, Stefano Galassi, Giacomo Tempesta, Ruggieri Nicola, Galassi Stefano, Tempesta Giacomo. Pompeii’s Stabian Baths. Mechanical behavior assessment of selected masonry structures during the 1st century seismic events. International Journal of Architectural Heritage. 2018; 12 (5):859-878.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nicola Ruggieri; Stefano Galassi; Giacomo Tempesta; Ruggieri Nicola; Galassi Stefano; Tempesta Giacomo. 2018. "Pompeii’s Stabian Baths. Mechanical behavior assessment of selected masonry structures during the 1st century seismic events." International Journal of Architectural Heritage 12, no. 5: 859-878.

Journal article
Published: 01 December 2017 in Journal of Architectural Engineering
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An earthquake of significant magnitude struck the Vesuvian area in common era (CE) 62. The earth tremors, originated by subterranean winds according to Roman seismology, provoked extensive damage to the buildings of Pompeii. By evaluating collapses and repairs, it was observed that wall overturning was the prevalent type of failure. Lucretius and Seneca dealt with such a masonry loss of equilibrium, which is illustrated in two bas-reliefs discovered in the house of Caecilius Jucundus (Regio V, Insula I, civic number 26) in Pompeii. The improvement of the bond among orthogonal walls; the constraint degree that was increased in the relevant constructive elements, such as the columns; and the widespread use of buttresses were some of the effective technical devices adopted after the CE 62 earthquake, which aimed at consciously mitigating the vulnerability of buildings under seismic action.

ACS Style

Nicola Ruggieri. Seismic Protection in Pompeii during the Age of Nero and Vespasian. Journal of Architectural Engineering 2017, 23, 04017018 .

AMA Style

Nicola Ruggieri. Seismic Protection in Pompeii during the Age of Nero and Vespasian. Journal of Architectural Engineering. 2017; 23 (4):04017018.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nicola Ruggieri. 2017. "Seismic Protection in Pompeii during the Age of Nero and Vespasian." Journal of Architectural Engineering 23, no. 4: 04017018.

Articles
Published: 15 June 2017 in Journal of Architectural Conservation
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Timber represents one of the first construction materials of mankind, thanks to its excellent mechanical, physical, as well as technological, characteristics. However, in addition to the other timber properties, a high deformability must be included. This is strictly conditioned by the intensity, direction and duration of the stressing load and by the constraints stiffness degree and arrangement. A behavior which was taken in account since the earliest constructions in recorded history, by introducing different bracing methods aimed at the structural stiffening. The advancement of science and a consequently deeper knowledge on timber rheological behavior, and in general on structural mechanics, implied the carrying out of ever more effective solutions for the deformability mitigation, regarding both vertical structures (i.e. timber frames) and roof carpentry. The wooden frames, throughout history, did not emphasize a high variability with regard to devices for limiting the in-plane deformability. Conversely, roof carpentry was characterized by an extreme richness of variants, in particular, in the buildings of northern and central Europe. Furthermore, studies concerned with the truss theory development, namely graphical tools and numerical formulations applied to the structure sizing and safety evaluations, are reported in this article.

ACS Style

Nicola Ruggieri. Historical overview on criteria and techniques for reducing timber structures deformability. Journal of Architectural Conservation 2017, 23, 211 -227.

AMA Style

Nicola Ruggieri. Historical overview on criteria and techniques for reducing timber structures deformability. Journal of Architectural Conservation. 2017; 23 (3):211-227.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nicola Ruggieri. 2017. "Historical overview on criteria and techniques for reducing timber structures deformability." Journal of Architectural Conservation 23, no. 3: 211-227.

Journal article
Published: 05 December 2016 in International Journal of Architectural Heritage
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The ancient Pompeii was hit by a sequence of earthquakes during the 1st century with disastrous consequences on the buildings. Many constructions were repaired after the ground shaking, others, in particular public buildings present, still today, signs of active works at the time of the Vesuvius eruption. Moreover, cracks and deformations originated from the 1st century tremors are visible on the walls and represent a precious source of information on the ultimate performance of the constructions. Despite a high in-plan geometric heterogeneity, the Pompeians’ housing stock was limited to two storeys with, often, an in-plan and along the height uniform distribution of masses, strength and stiffness, hence a reduced torsional motions tendency under earthquake actions. Furthermore, the seismic performance of the building could be influenced by the masonry arrangement and components properties, ranging, in the analysed cases, from the opus quadratum to the structura fabric, i.e. a concrete nucleus covered by stones or bricks leaf. The paper provides the key features, although of qualitative type, of the constructions vulnerability level during the last phase of the Pompeii’s history, basing on the “seismic” improvement interventions, on ancient deformations and repaired cracks, compared to the buildings configuration and the used constructive techniques.

ACS Style

Nicola Ruggieri. Seismic Vulnerability of the Ancient Pompeii Through the Evaluation of the 62 A.D. Earthquake Effects. International Journal of Architectural Heritage 2016, 11, 490 -500.

AMA Style

Nicola Ruggieri. Seismic Vulnerability of the Ancient Pompeii Through the Evaluation of the 62 A.D. Earthquake Effects. International Journal of Architectural Heritage. 2016; 11 (4):490-500.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nicola Ruggieri. 2016. "Seismic Vulnerability of the Ancient Pompeii Through the Evaluation of the 62 A.D. Earthquake Effects." International Journal of Architectural Heritage 11, no. 4: 490-500.