Seismic Safety Plans for Historic Buildings

1. Estimate seismic hazards in terms of

expected occurrence of earthquake of
various intensities and their return period
2. Identify structural systems and models for
analysis for historic buildings,
3. Prepare records drawings and seismic
survey forms of buildings,

4. Evaluate structural responses to earthquakes

of various intensities
5. Develop alternative upgrading methods and
estimate costs applying conservation ethics
to determine the minimum intervention
necessary
6. Prepare a management plan for a chosen
scheme. Execute desirable works to
increase seismic resistance

The Factors Affecting the Seismic

Performance of Historic Building
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

Its Mass
Stiffness
Period of construction
Ability to absorb energy
Stability margins
Structural geometry
Structural continuousness
Distribution of mass and resistance

Strengthening the Historic Buildings

A. Vernacular Buildings
1. According to Bernard Feilden modern
materials could be used for bonding
2. Blind use of reinforced concrete will be
disastrous

B. Sophisticated Buildings
Their vulnerability depends on three factors:
1.Foundation : see if the soil is homogenous,
nature of ground water level (is it
fluctuating?)
2.Intrinsic faults due to form, design and lack
of bonding
3.Extrinsic faults due to lack of maintenance
for seismic safety plans the historic
buildings should be studied in terms of -

For seismic safety plans, the historic buildings

should be studied in terms of :
1. Study of its history (period of construction)
2. Material quarry site (to know the nature of
material)
3. Sequences of its construction (was it in
various phases?)
4. Details of previous repairs
5. Details of damage done in previous
earthquakes

How the buildings are weakened?

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Lack of maintenance
Injudicious alterations
Continuous erosion
Pollution and vibration
All the above causes and their
cumulative effects

Primary Solution
1.
2.
3.
4.

Regular inspections
Maintenance strategy
Repair strategy
Gradual upgrading of the earthquake
resistance of the building

Before disaster (earthquake) strikes

1. Documentation of heritage building must
2. Existing documentation must be collected
and protected
3. Possible risk assessment
4. Protective (strengthening) measures

When disaster strikes

1. Fight fire and prevent looting of works of
art, prevent water damage, from capture
2. Label and transport all moveable cultural
property, give first aid
3. Organize quick inspection of damage

After disaster
1. Organize in-depth assessment of damage
2. Establish priorities for the programme of
restoration and repairs
3. Execute structural repairs with the help of
architects and engineers
4. Set up multi disciplinary team for projects
proposal and work
5. Evaluate alternative schemes balancing
risk and vulnerability against degree of
intervention and loss of cultural values