A Comprehensive Experimental Method for Damage Evaluation of Reinforced Masonry Vaulted Structures

The need to preserve historic masonry buildings is not only a cultural duty but also an economic necessity because of the intrinsic value of the historical architectural and archaeological heritage of our territory. In order to be able to protect and preserve over time masonry buildings that also have considerable damage, it is necessary to know and monitor their health status over time so that effective consolidation and structural strengthening interventions can be planned. This paper aims to propose a comprehensive and non-invasive methodology for assessing structural damage in a full-scale tuff masonry barrel vault, strengthened with Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (FRCM) composites, under progressively increasing loading conditions. The approach is grounded in detailed data derived from static and dynamic response analysis. The structure was then subjected to multiple loading and unloading cycles, with eccentric force applied along a generatrix. A variety of sensors were installed on the vault to continuously monitor both the static and dynamic responses during each load increment. The collected experimental data enabled detailed analysis of the relationship between the structure's accumulated damage, reflected in variations in overall stiffness and its dynamic properties.