Assessment and Fragility of Byzantine Unreinforced Masonry Towers

The seismic response of five cultural heritage towers erected between the 10th and 19th century AD are investigated herein. Firstly, their architectural modal characteristics were studied in light events that hit monuments. There exist several historical reports strong earthquakes, as well damaged structures collapses. limit analysis is adopted to examine post-elastic behavior up collapse due out-of-plane failure. Recurrent damage modes collected from recent earthquakes a classification four possible mechanisms slender masonry here proposed: overturning, separation perpendicular walls, diagonal cracking, dislocation belfry. A thorough examination under investigation verified proposed classification. capacity curves derived combining each mechanisms. Damage thresholds defined on these correspondence with states. group representative wider typology. statistical approach was describe intensity, vulnerability generated. results this study will improve understanding performance loading provide characterization for types towers.