CLIENT
Autonomous Institute for Public Housing (IACP) of the Province of Syracuse

SPECIALIST SUBCONTRACTOR
Edilsystem S.r.l.

SCOPE OF WORKS
Functional redevelopment, reuse, seismic upgrading and energy efficiency improvement of the building known as the “former Hotel School”

PROJECT LOCATION
Corso Umberto I, 200-206, Syracuse

WORKS PERIOD
2024-2025

Description of the Works

As part of the major energy efficiency, structural redevelopment and reuse project involving the historic “former Hotel School” building in Syracuse, Edilsystem S.r.l. acted as a specialist technology partner, undertaking the complex structural retrofit works required for the seismic base isolation of the building.

The project involved the introduction of an advanced seismic isolation system integrated into the existing reinforced concrete structural frame.

The technological process included high-precision levelling and preparation of the column surfaces.

The most critical phase involved the actual transfer of the building loads. Using robust steel reaction brackets and vertical shoring systems consisting of pairs of HEB220 steel sections, groups of 100-ton hydraulic jacks were installed and operated through a centralised hydraulic power unit with remote control. The vertical load was gradually transferred to the temporary support structure up to 80% of the design axial force under the quasi-permanent load combination, while continuously monitoring displacements with millimetric precision in order to prevent any structural distortion.

Once the lifting system had been stabilised, the existing columns were cut linearly using diamond wire saw technology, followed by the installation of 75 seismic pendulum isolators.