Analysis and regeneration strategies for the abandoned villages of the Santerno valley in Tuscany

[EN] The historical settlement system of the Mugello mountain in Tuscany is characterised by scattered rural stone villages and houses. In the past these villages housed communities mainly dedicated to the centuries-old cultivation of chestnut. The process of abandonment can be traced back between the 50s and 60s, when the inhabitants left these isolated places to head towards the cities in search of better economic and living conditions. This paper illustrates the research carried out on three abandoned settlements in the municipality of Firenzuola, with particular reference to the Santerno valley. Pratalecchia, Brento Sanico and Castiglioncello were taken as case studies to carry out a typological and constructive analysis, comprising conservation state and vulnerability maps of their vernacular heritage. The first part of the investigation analyzes the context and the environmental resources; identifies the characteristics of the recurring architectural types; and operates a classification of the building techniques. The main classes of stone-masonry types have been recorded. By applying the masonry quality index (IQM) method the mechanical parameters of the masonry types have been determined. In the second part of the research, the conservation state of the buildings have been assessed. According to a risk-based approach, a vulnerability level was determined for each building, considering the quality of the construction elements, the damage degree and the relation with adjacent buildings. The research allowed to outline a first methodological approach in order to plan future intervention priorities and to identify strategies for the sustainable conservation, enhancement and rehabilitation of this architectural heritage.Coppola, M.; Dipasquale, L.; Mannucci, L.; Rovero, L. (2022). Analysis and regeneration strategies for the abandoned villages of the Santerno valley in Tuscany. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 1031-1038. https://doi.org/10.4995/HERITAGE2022.2022.149521031103

Analysis of the earthen architectural heritage in Piedmont (northern Italy): typologies, construction techniques and materials

Piedmont is characterized by the presence of numerous earthen buildings mainly concentrated in the province of Alessandria. Studies conducted over the last decade, however, have shown the presence of interesting examples of these buildings also in the provinces of Asti, Torino, Biella and Cuneo. They are generally two-storied rural constructions, built with both fired bricks (for the bearing structures) and adobe (for internal and external walls). The case of the La Serra hills between Biella and Ivrea is particularly interesting because this zone, characterised by the presence of morenic terrains, is rich in stone materials and the traditional architecture is mainly characterized by the use of materials such as stone, brick and wood. Nevertheless, some interesting examples of earthen buildings have been found, evidence of the close relationships between man and his territory. They are fragile architectures, little or not at all known, which may be irretrievably lost if not properly safeguarded. The research aims have been to examine types and construction techniques and to analyze the characteristics and performances of the constitutive materials through in situ tests (rebound test), characterization of the adobe and mortars (XRD, particle size distribution) and identification of possible additives. This type of research will be useful to promote again the use in the area of these construction techniques, evidence of skills and abilities of people to take advantage of the local environmental resources

The Saadian sugar refinery of Chichaoua (Morocco): constructive and structural investigations for conservation

The Saadian sugar refinery of Chichaoua (XVI century), located southwest of Marrakech, is a large rammed earth building of relevant architectonic value, abandoned with the fall of Saadian dynasty. A structural study was undertaken to characterize the materials, to understand the construction techniques and to identify the structural criticities and the surface decay. In particular, carrying out physical and mineralogical analysis on earth samples, the use of two types of material was found, a first one with only soil earth and a second one with added lime. Mechanical tests, carried out by sclerometer and in laboratory, highlighted that the lime added earth exhibits great strength, exceeding the values known for that kind of building material. This conclusion throw light on the sophisticated building culture of the Saadian period in Morocco, as the El Bedi palace in Marrakech testifies too. The study of crack patterns shows the most common mechanisms of damage and consequently appropriate consolidation strategies.

Measurement of the cosmic ray spectrum above 4×10184{\times}10^{18} eV using inclined events detected with the Pierre Auger Observatory

A measurement of the cosmic-ray spectrum for energies exceeding $4{\times}10^{18}$ eV is presented, which is based on the analysis of showers with zenith angles greater than $60^{\circ}$ detected with the Pierre Auger Observatory between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2013. The measured spectrum confirms a flux suppression at the highest energies. Above $5.3{\times}10^{18}$ eV, the "ankle", the flux can be described by a power law $E^{-\gamma}$ with index $\gamma=2.70 \pm 0.02 \,\text{(stat)} \pm 0.1\,\text{(sys)}$ followed by a smooth suppression region. For the energy ($E_\text{s}$) at which the spectral flux has fallen to one-half of its extrapolated value in the absence of suppression, we find $E_\text{s}=(5.12\pm0.25\,\text{(stat)}^{+1.0}_{-1.2}\,\text{(sys)}){\times}10^{19}$ eV.Comment: Replaced with published version. Added journal reference and DO