Application of different in-situ testing techniques and vulnerability assessment of Kolizej palace in Ljubljana

Within the framework of PERPETUATE project for the case study in Slovenia, the 150 year old Kolizej Palace in Ljubljana was set. The building was for a long time neglected and severely deteriorated due to ageing and moisture problems. Despite the overall opinion among conservators upon its preservation, it was set to be demolished. Prior it's demolishing in 2011 extensive on-site investigation was carried out, which provided valuable data regarding the influence of deteriorated masonry on the seismic response of the building. Experimental tests proved almost completely saturated moisture conditions in the ground level of the building, while all the stories above were in almost dry condition. The results of tests on masonry revealed that moisture content and state of deterioration affected both strength and stiffness properties of built masonry in large extend. Regardless adopted modelling strategies the vulnerability assessment of the Kolizej Palace has proved that the building in its latest condition was far behind the current code requirements in respect to both static and seismic actions.