SEISMIC EVALUATION OF MASONRY MONUMENTS THROUGH THE UTILIZATION OF IN SITU MEASUREMENTS CASE STUDY ON A BYZANTINE BASILICA

This study develops an approach to examine parameters that are used for the estimation of seismic loads for historic buildings. A literature review is presented, and data from the literature and laboratory tests are used to assess the provisions that should be satisfied after the restoration of such buildings. In the analysis, frames with nonlinear properties that model stone masonry plain frames are used to estimate the equivalent seismic acceleration that these frames can resist. To investigate the response of masonry monuments to strong earthquakes, the observed response of many temples is considered during seven earthquakes in Greece, and the response spectra are defined for equivalent damping levels of 5%, 10%, and 20%. The aforementioned approaches are used to examine the possibility of further reducing the considered seismic loads for the evaluation of these structures. Alternative methods for the justified reduction of the seismic force by increasing the behavior factor are proposed. Finally a case study is presented on the initial contsruction stage of a byzantine basilica. In this case, the observed failure of the main roof of the temple and the limitation of damages to the rest of the structure thanks to the use of the findings of the present research is justified.