Mutual seismic assessment and isolation of different art objects

New developments of a research programme dedicated to the seismic performance assessment and base isolation protection of art objects are presented in this paper. The investigation field has been extended from massive marble statues, considered at first step of this study, to slender free-standing columns, and bronze statues with highly vulnerable geometrical portions. A semicircular marble column and an equestrian bronze sculpture located in the main hall of the Restoration Laboratories of the Opificio delle Pietre Dure Institute in Florence are examined as representative case studies of the two classes, respectively. Rocking and sliding effects are simulated in the time-history assessment analyses of both artefacts, carried out by introducing all simultaneous components of seismic action as input. The results show an overturning-related near-collapse response of the column, and a plasticization-induced collapse of the statue, at the maximum considered earthquake level. In view of the different material and structural characteristics of the two artworks and several other art objects and equipments situated in the same hall, a mutual advanced seismic protection strategy is adopted, consisting in the base isolation of the floor by means of double curved surface sliders. This retrofit measure guarantees completely undamaged response conditions of the column and the statue, without requiring direct interventions on the two artworks. At the same time, the base-isolated floor constitutes a highly protective support for the hi-tech equipments housed in the Laboratories, as well as for any other artefact to be placed on it in the future.