This research presents an alternative means of calculating vulnerability relations for buildings. Simulation-based fragility curves generated using a Monte Carlo simulation are usually not practical because of the large number of time-consuming analyses needed to obtain reliable statistics of the outcomes. This research implements a response surface metamodel to approximate complex analysis in ...

This document provides an assessment of the current state of advanced airborne and spaceborne remote sensing and ground-based technologies applicable to the analysis of seismic risk and vulnerability of buildings and lifeline systems. Continuous Global Positioning System (GPS) ground deformation monitoring and seismological networks provide critical measurements for understanding the earthquake...

Seismic hazard analysis is performed for a representative zone in Peru, including the city of Cusco, the citadel of Machupicchu and the archeological complex of Choquequirao, constituting the area with important Inca heritage. This is considered to be the first step towards developing a rational approach to seismic risk analysis of the Inca’s architectural heritage. An evaluation of the vulnera...

The present work outlines a methodological framework for “ordering” through progressive levels of analyses different evaluation models concerning the seismic vulnerability at urban scale, with respect to the possible final objectives: seismic scenarios, emergency or urban planning, as far as seismic mitigation or economical estimates. The research work has been developed within the URBISIT Proj...

In this paper a Romanesque masonry church is analysed in order to assess its structural behaviour and its seismic vulnerability with respect to the actual state of conservation. Starting from a specific case study, a contribution to the issue of modelling and analysis of monumental masonry buildings under seismic action is provided. A finite element methodology for the static and dynamic nonlin...

The recent wave of seismic shocks in Central Italy (2016) had once more disastrous consequences for the local monuments, which consisted of old masonry churches and towers. The permanent, seismic-induced damage to cultural heritage has become a serious issue that can no longer be downsized, and questions have been raised about how to satisfactorily assess the vulnerability of such heritage in a...

Recent experimental research has shown that ordinary unbounded steel reinforced elastomeric bearings (SREBs) can be considered as an attractive cost-effective option for the seismic isolation of highway bridges. To further investigate its benefits, the current study is focused on the seismic risk assessment of an optimally designed highway bridge isolated by SREB system. A typical three-span hi...