Best practice of structural retrofit: the SS. Rosario Church in Gesualdo, Italy

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to show the importance of a total understanding of the manufacture, before approaching any structural intervention.Design/methodology/approachThe adopted methodology consists of a non‐invasive kind of structural retrofit, in accordance with the history of the manufacture and, at the same time, giving effective respect to seismic solicitations.FindingsThe results are very important for demonstration purposes, and they may be taken as examples in many similar problems.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitation of this research principally consists in the old datation of the study case, because it could be approached more easily with the help of modern concepts.Practical implicationsMany applications can be carried out from the study case: first, the respectful approach to the cultural heritage, in the sense of knowledge and understanding of the “art rule” belonging to the ancient constructors.Social implicationsThe paper has implications for the safety and conservation of historical heritage.Originality/valueThe originality consists in showing the almost unknown work of a master: he reasoned anticipating the technological progress.