Structural analysis and reinforcement of XVI century building in the center of Naples, Italy

Most of the buildings in the historical center of the cities in Italy are quite old, and sometimes their age is more than several centuries. This means that a double activity aim should be considered by the community, the historical conservation of the cultural heritage and the static health of the structure to guarantee the safety for the people living or working in those special buildings. This double need for the “living” cultural heritage architectures sometimes arises some internal conflicts, since higher, exaggerated reinforcing interventions could lead to damage, or even cancel, some architectural evidence. The paper introduces as a case study the example of one residential historical building in Naples, Italy, reinforced considering the need to preserve the original aspect. Extensive performed diagnostic tests and specific structural numerical analysis carried out for the emblematic parts of the building are presented.