Seismic analysis – Venetian Arsenal – “La Biennale” buildings (Italy)

The Venetian Arsenal is located in Venice downtown. This was, once, the largest production centre in Venice, where the Serenissima fleets were built, and it’s currently used as an exhibition area by the cultural institution of La Biennale.

Six buildings, divided in total 21 Elementary Analysis Units, were the object of the seismic assessment, through the three phases below.

The first step was the preliminary study and survey; then, the local critical issues were listed, and finally the risk index was calculated for each Elementary Analysis Unit, based on the results of the local collapse mechanisms analysis.

Carried out calculations follow a linear kinematic approach, with the analysis of possible mechanisms such as out-of-plane rotation and flexure of rigid masonry walls. The masonry blocks interested by the out-of-plane movements were defined considering the seismic behaviour of similar structures, but also the actual damage of the buildings as observed during the survey phase.

The achieved final result was risk-based ranking list as well as a table of priorities to be taken into account in the choice of a retrofitting strategy.