Analysis of the failure mechanisms of the basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio during 2009 L'Aquila earthquake

Abstract In the paper are presented and compared different analytical and numerical models to explain the failure of the transept columns, which led to the collapse of the central dome of the 13th century basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio during the 2009 L’Aquila earthquake. The three models have been used to analyse respectively the horizontal performance of the church ( Beam model ), the vertical performance of the transept ( Vertical model ) and the residual capacity of the facade ( Soil–Brick model ). Results show that the collapse of the transept columns due to axial load is unlikely, while the collapse due to the global torsional behaviour of the church is more probable as already indicated by the authors elsewhere. Furthermore, numerical results have also shown that the frontal facade, without the temporary scaffolding system, would have not been able to withstand seismic events such as the 2009 L’Aquila earthquake.