Seismic Response of Churches in Sorrento (Naples): A Kinematic Approach for Facades Overturning Assessment

The metropolitan area of Naples, including its historic center, boasts an extraordinary concentration of cultural heritage, featuring numerous masonry churches of immense historical and architectural significance. These buildings, spanning various periods and styles, are integral to the region’s identity. However, the combined effects of seismic activity and insufficient maintenance have rendered many of these structures vulnerable. The region’s frequent exposure to earthquakes, coupled with the aging of construction materials and traditional building techniques, further exacerbates their susceptibility, underscoring the urgent need to assess their structural integrity for long-term preservation. This study investigates the seismic vulnerability of masonry facades in a selection of churches located in Sorrento, within the province of Naples. Initially, a comprehensive data collection campaign was carried out to document their key geometric and structural characteristics, employing the CarTiS Church form. Subsequently, linear kinematic analyses were conducted to examine the overturning mechanisms of the main facades, with particular emphasis on the potential relationships between façade geometry, slenderness, and seismic-induced collapse. The results revealed a correlation between façade typology and slenderness that aids in assessing façade stability under site-specific seismic accelerations. These insights provide valuable information on the structural performance of the analysed churches, highlighting critical vulnerabilities and laying the groundwork for prioritizing targeted retrofitting interventions. Ultimately, the findings contribute to ongoing efforts aimed at enhancing the seismic resilience of historic masonry churches, thereby supporting the preservation of Naples’ architectural heritage against future earthquakes.