Vulnerabilità sismica dei beni monumentali ecclesiastici: evidenze del comportamento strutturale in seguito al terremoto del centro Italia del 24 agosto 2016

This paper presents the results of a damage survey conducted on a wide stock of churches in Central Italy, hit by the August 24, 2016 Amatrice seismic sequence. In the weeks following the mainshock, the authors performed a damage assessment of 196 churches in the area involved by the seismic event, aiming to identify damage mechanisms and calculate damage index for each structure. Churches have similar characteristics within the analysed area, with typical architectural elements, homogeneous structural types and similar construction materials. The paper is subdivided mainly in two parts: the first one presents the historical seismicity of the considered area, with a description of the August 24, 2016 event, while the second mostly focuses on the damage survey. Results shows the high vulnerability of this structural typology, highlighting the need to develop a nationwide program for protecting the cultural heritage represented by the historical masonry churches.