The principles of conservation of existing structures (like evidence of regional construction techniques) pose a significant challenge in the general field of structural safety, increasingly claimed by the new technical codes. The restoration building site of the Chapel XVI at Sacro Monte of Orta San Giulio (Italy) testifies to a respectful design approach to enhance the timber elements still recoverable without distorting the original static scheme. The preliminary knowledge phase allowed to correctly interpret the historical construction phases (including analysis of archival documents and diagnostic investigations), the vulnerabilities of the roof structure and the peculiarity of the stone roof covering as a construction technique to be preserved and improved. The recovery project has exploited the potential of the laser scanner and micro-invasive diagnostic techniques to move towards limited replacement choices of wood elements that can no longer be recovered. The recovery of the roof of the XVI Chapel, as a pilot building site of an international research project on the maintenance of historical sites (INTERREG ITA-CH “Main10Ance”), is evidence of a fruitful multidisciplinary comparison aimed at improving the methodological approach to the strengthening work of historical structures.
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge Studio eng. Vercelli for fruitful dialogue; the staff of Ente di Gestione dei Sacri Monti for the logistic support and historical materials for consultation; director Dr. Defilippis; prof. Andrea Lingua and his team at Politecnico di Torino, for survey campaigns.
Authors contribution
Conceptualisation, MZ, AG, SF, GV; methodology, MZ, AG, SF; software and structural modeling, AG and GV; validation, MZ; investigation, AG, MZ, GV, SF; technical solution for strengthening AG, GV; writing – original draft preparation, AG; writing – review and editing, MZ, AG, SF; supervision, MZ.
Funding
This article refers to Italy-Switzerland Cooperation Programme 2014-2020, that deals with the enhancement of traditional building knowledge and the use of local materials and workers, also through the study of the monumental complexes of the Sacri Monti of Piedmont and Canton Ticino. ID 473472, “Main10ance”.
