Consolidation of brick merlons – Low-thickness FRCM (Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Matrix) system at the Church of Santa Maria del Ponte Metauro

In the historic center of Fano, the tower built along the perimeter wall of a small church dating back to the late 1400s underwent numerous transformations until the demolition of the original structure due to seismic damage and its reconstruction in reinforced concrete in 1930. The poor state of preservation of the tower, heavily damaged, prompted the municipal administration to carry out an urgent intervention that also involved the replacement of the old bell chamber with a new merlature.

Issues and Damage:

The external brickwork of the tower appeared heavily damaged, and after ruling out local mechanisms, the cause of deterioration was identified as the infiltration of rainwater, which compromised the reinforced concrete elements beyond the brick cladding. The most significant damage was observed on the facades facing the sea, exposed to weathering, particularly in the area of the merlature.

Intervention:

Consolidation intervention carried out internally on the merlature of the tower using a low-thickness Fiber Reinforced Cementitious Matrix (FRCM) system called C-MATRIX.

Construction Site Information:

Project: Restoration and conservative rehabilitation of the church of Santa Maria del Ponte Metauro in Fano

Location: Fano (PU)

Client: Municipality of Fano

Designer: Ing Michele Pompili

Contractor: ITER srl IMPRESA TECNOLOGIE EDILIZIA RESTAURI, Pesaro

Realization: 2016-2017