A case study for the NOSA-ITACA project: the "Voltone" in Livorno

This paper describes a study conducted on the structural behaviour of the "Voltone", a large vaulted masonry structure located beneath the "Piazza della Repubblica" square in Livorno, Italy. The study is part of a wider project, "NOSA-ITACA - Tools for modelling and assessing the structural behaviour of ancient constructions", funded by the Region of Tuscany (2011-2013). The main goal of the project is to develop a new tool, the NOSA-ITACA code, for the static and dynamic analysis of masonry buildings of historical interest. The code, which models masonry as a nonlinear elastic material with zero tensile strength and bounded compressive strength, is aimed at assessing the static safety and seismic vulnerability of masonry construction in the light of the Italian regulations, as well as modelling possible strengthening interventions. The study of the "Voltone", on the one hand, has provided the opportunity to validate the NOSA-ITACA code and, on the other hand, constitutes a pilot project for safeguarding Italian cultural heritage. The approach and methods used to study the "Voltone" can in fact be applied to other similar structures, such as vaults and bridges.