Structural Intervention design for the façade of Monte di Pietà in Naples, Italy

The bases for the design of the strengthening and repairing interventions on the monumental facade of Monte di Pieta in Naples (Italy) are discussed, following the knowledge about the structure acquired through accurate in situ and historical surveys and the refined numerical modeling. Each type of selected and conceived intervention is described in detail. The main principle is that flexibility has to be preferred to rigidity where connection between parts is concerned, in order to avoid stress concentrations and to guarantee durability in this complex monumental structure. Any conceived intervention must achieve optimum structural performances in the respect of appearance, it being as minimally invasive as possible. The intervention does not aim only at providing repairing to failed elements, but also adequate maintenance to those elements that, although still stable, may suffer in the near future.