Structural Restoration of Masonry Monuments

Historic structures need to be restored in line with international guidance and charters developed by architects and archaeologists, but technical understanding of structural engineering and materials is crucial, particularly with respect to response to earthquake loading.

This guide to structural assessment and restoration of masonry monuments and historical buildings outlines the techniques, materials and design procedures used. It begins with principles, theory and practice and then presents case studies.

The assessment focusses on

• Building materials and construction techniques used in the past
• The mechanics of masonry
• The structural behaviour of masonry monuments and historical buildings
• In-situ investigation and laboratory tests for existing and restoration materials.

The restoration elaborates on

• Techniques and materials available for structural restoration
• Structural analysis and design
• Deciding on the restoration scheme
• Emergency measures and protective measures.

Table of Contents

1 Introduction

2 Building materials and construction techniques of monuments

3 Masonry mechanics

4 Structural behaviour of masonry in monumental buildings

5 Techniques and materials in use for structural restoration

6 In-situ investigations and laboratory tests

7 Structural analysis and design

8 Assessment

9 Case studies

About the Authors

George Penelis is emeritus professor of concrete and masonry structures at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. He has led the design or the review of many prominent reinforced concrete buildings and the structural restoration or review of some of the best-known monuments in the Mediterranean Basin, including the Rotunda in Thessaloniki, the National Library in Athens, the rotunda of Saint George in Cairo, and the Hagia Irene of Istanbul. He is co-author of Earthquake-Resistant Concrete Structures; and (withGregory Penelis) of Concrete Buildings in Seismic Regions 2nd ed – both published by Taylor & Francis.

Gregory Penelis is CEO and consulting structural engineer with a PhD from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He has been involved in many research projects regarding the seismic risk assessment of masonry buildings, monuments and urban nucleus. He was awarded the 2016 Structural Award and 2016 ENR Global Best Project Award for the Stavros Niarchos Cultural Center in Athens and the 2017 ENR Global Best Project Award for the Restoration of the Margirgis Church and Roman Tower in Cairo He has also developed software for the seismic design of R/C and masonry buildings. He has been honoured twice with the gold medal of the order of Leon by the Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa Theodoros II.