The safety of an industrial archaeological heritage: The underground quarries in Marsala (Sicily)

摘要

The present paper analyses an underground and inactive quarry of calcarenite, whichrnbelong to a localised area called Cave di calcarenite in Contrada Cuccidenna that has been recognised asrna typical example of industrial archaeological heritage. The study of this typical quarry is finalised to thernpreservation and safe fruition of this site, which represents the history of manufacturing technologies ofrnrocky ashlars. Rock samples from the pillars have been collected and, at first, a petrographic characterisationrnhas been performed. The strength parameters have been estimated by means of triaxial and isotropicrncompression tests. Through a finite element analysis, the mechanical characterization has been then usedrnto assess the stability and safety conditions of the structure. The influence of several parameters has beenrnconsidered: e.g. mesostructure of the rock mass, shape of the underground quarry and effects, in closernareas, of human interventions.