A Multiscale Approach for the Seismic Vulnerability Assessment of Historical Centres in Masonry Building Aggregates: Cognitive Approach and Interdisciplinary Perspectives

The seismic vulnerability assessment of masonry building aggregates involves different variables, many of which are of uncertain evaluation. To this aim, in this paper, a holistic multiscale approach for their seismic vulnerability assessment is presented. The methodology concerns an integrated knowledge-based approach combining different strategies through interdisciplinary perspectives. The procedure joins several aspects, involving two scales of interest, the urban and the aggregate level. Every phase is related to the acquisition of different information, the selection of alternative vulnerability methodologies, the adoption of different informative management systems. GIS and BIM platforms have been used to gather the data adopted in the vulnerability assessment; their collection is still useful for wider managements for the preservation of the historical centres' heritage. At each level, the provided information allowed the definition of the seismic vulnerability assessment through coherent methodologies. The in-depth analyses regarding the cognitive acquisitions were followed by more detailed procedures for the vulnerability assessment. The multiscale approach has been finally applied to the city of Scarperia, founded a few kilometres from Florence during the Medieval Age and characterized by a medium seismicity. The outcomes of the research denounce the differences within the considered levels, highlighting the importance of the conducted improvements.

Automated summary

The research presents a holistic multiscale approach for the seismic vulnerability assessment of masonry building aggregates, combining different strategies through interdisciplinary perspectives. By acquiring various information, selecting alternative vulnerability methodologies, and utilizing different informative management systems, a coherent assessment methodology has been developed. The approach was applied to the city of Scarperia, demonstrating differences within the levels considered and the importance of the improvements made.