Sensitivity analysis-based model updating applied to spatially complex monumental structures in concrete

Model updating of historic monumental buildings is of high importance in the field of structural engineering, as it enables the prediction of their behavior, planning their conservation and assessing their structural safety. This thesis focusses on the study of the hall B of the Torino Esposizioni building, a large and complex structure designed by the renowned architect Pier Paolo Nervi. By making use of dynamic tests performed on the building, and with a higher focus on the thin undulated roof, a model parameter calibration was carried out. The methodology followed a detailed and well-developed procedure, starting with the construction of a reliable finite element model, followed by a broad sensitivity analysis, and ending with the parameter calibration. Additionally, a static and dynamic analysis was performed to understand the behavior of the structure and its elements, taking into consideration that the hall was designed to only sustain static loads. For the finite element model, a thorough analysis on the available material was done. The geometry and the mechanical properties are based on a combination of Nervi’s original design drawings, a survey by the geomatics group of the Politecnico di Torino, experimental tests, precedent models of the building and existing literature. Regarding the material properties, the results of mechanical tests performed on the building were available, which enabled the differentiation of parts of the building characterized by different materials. The main finding was that there is a statistically significant difference between materials used before and after the extension works. The conducted sensitivity analysis proved useful in understanding the material properties that have higher influence on the dynamic behavior of the structure. The results revealed that only the elastic modulus of some materials is critical for the hall’s global performance, whereas the density and Poisson ratio of any material do not represent impacting factors. Specifically, the elastic moduli of four materials were identified and calibrated based on the previously mentioned dynamic tests.