Abbazia di Casamari: analisi storico critica e costruttiva del monumento finalizzata alla verifica della sicurezza sismica

This paper illustrates a study of the abbey of Casamari developed under the ‘state museum assessment of seismic safety’ project, ‘applying prime ministerial decree OPCM 3274/2003 and subsequent amendments and prime ministerial directive 12 October 2007’, promoted by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities’s directorate-general for landscape, fine art, architecture and contemporary art between 2011 and 2014. In particular, the outcomes of the historical and architectural analysis will be discussed, highlighting the phases of the building’s construction and the construction techniques adopted, and pointing out the elements that improve the building’s static response. Furthermore, the historical research and the building survey that were carried out offer an original interpretation of the phases that went into the abbey’s construction and have highlighted the benefits and weaknesses produced by recent structural improvements and extensions. Indeed, the church, which was built with ashlar stone and buttresses that support high vaults, has achieved a remarkable safety level. However, several structural problems affecting the pillars of the central nave have been noted, caused by reinforcement work using heavy structural elements on the bell tower above. Furthermore, the two wings of the building set aside for monks and novices are especially vulnerable to side-to-side motion due to a lack of internal wall partitions. Finally, the size of various horizontal structures such as floors and roofs, which were recently replaced and incorporated, is not enough to support vertical loads.