Protection of Historical Structures and Interventions for Repair and Strengthening with Emphasis on Antiseismic Conservation

Abstract

It is not certain that a historical and monumental building that sustained successfully the effects of previous earthquakes will endure the forthcoming ones. In most cases, previous earthquakes have already caused minor or major non-structural or structural damage. The accumulation of this damage may severely affect the antiseismic performance to a future earthquake with larger acceleration, velocity and displacement values and its effects especially when other damaging factors including physicochemical decay of structural settlements, differential settlements, possible fires among others, have caused further reduction of the bearing capacity of the building. Thus, the need for the preservation of historical and monumental buildings and their strengthening against seismic risk and related damage is evident and crucial. All methods and techniques of preservation and strengthening should be applied to these structures with the least possible alteration of their form. Besides the preservation of these cultural objects, the need for their antiseismic performance is dictated by the legal obligation to ensure safety and health of residents, neighbors, visitors and conservators of the structure. This aspect of interest in the bearing capacity of historical and monumental buildings is of great importance in modern society.