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Post-earthquake reconstruction activities need tools for assessing the vulnerability of structures, based on visual inspection and quick survey. So far, the public administrations in charge of granting the funds and monitoring reconstruction have adopted different methods taken from scientific literature or developed ad hoc for specific events. The time is ripe for a standard method to be developed, treasuring from the lessons learned in the field. This paper proposes an expeditious tool based on visual survey for the assessment of the seismic vulnerability of unreinforced masonry buildings, starting from available methods, whose parameters were reassessed and recalibrated, and scientific evidence from recent literature. The influence of the main structural features was considered to calculate a vulnerability index in the 0–100 range. The effects of materials and arrangement of masonry were quantitatively evaluated through the masonry quality index, which represents an advancement with respect to current practice. The method was validated on a sample of 50 masonry aggregates and nearly 200 structural units of L’Aquila, Italy, where reconstruction is underway after a destructive earthquake in 2009. The sample is representative of the built heritage of other earthquake prone areas in Italy and many European Countries and the proposed method is a step forward the development of a standard tool to be used in future post-earthquake reconstruction scenarios.

The Built Environment (BE) with its users is increasingly prone to SUdden-Onset Disasters (SUODs), such as earthquakes and terrorist attacks, and SLow-Onset Disasters (SLODs), such as those related to pollutions and heatwaves. In this regard, historical centers represent vulnerable contexts due to their morphological complexity, construction peculiarities, and user-related characteristics. Therefore, risk assessment studies emphasize the importance of characterizing the BE from a holistic perspective to identify risk factors that interfere with disaster response. In particular, Open Spaces (OSs) (e.g., streets, squares) play a key role in increasing the overall BE resilience as elements that ensure the safety of BE users in emergency phases. This research is aimed at providing a quick OSs survey form to collect and manage the main risk factors according to a multi-risk approach. The form focuses on the critical users-BE interactions due to the OSs modifications during disasters and has been applied to 8 case studies in Italian historical city centers. Results show how the form can assess the OSs complexity and trace the main morphological, constructive, use-related, and context risk factors affecting the safety of OSs and their users. Promoted in the context of the Italian research project (PRIN) BE S2ECURe, the research succeeds in defining a quick methodology for risk factors collection, which can also support planners and local administrations in promoting effective mitigation strategies.

The earthquake of magnitude Mb(RENASS)=3.7 and 3.8 ML(CEA-LDG), occurred on 19 February 2020 at 20 h 20 min UT (22 h 20 min in local time). The epicentre is to the east of Brest according to data from the BCSF-RéNaSS , the CEA-LDG places the epicentre further east (6.5 km). This earthquake is therefore located close to the east-west oriented fault system of the western part of the North Armorican Shear. With the aim of estimating the severity level of the ground shaking of the 19 February earthquake, a macro-seismic survey to collect the seismic effects was launched by the BCSF-RéNaSS in the 277 communes of Finistère., Le séisme de magnitude Mb(RENASS)=3,7 et 3,8 ML(CEA-LDG), s’est produit le 19 février 2020 à 20 h 20 min TU (22 h 20 min en heure locale). L’épicentre se trouve à l’est de Brest selon les données du BCSF-RéNaSS , le CEA-LDG place cet épicentre plus à l’est (6,5 km). Ce séisme est donc localisé à proximité du système de faille orienté estouest de la partie ouest du Cisaillement Nord Armoricain. Dans l’objectif de l’estimation du niveau de sévérité de la secousse au sol du séisme du 19 février, une enquête macrosismique permettant de collecter les effets sismiques a été lancée par le BCSF-RéNaSS dans les 277 communes du Finistère.

The earthquake of magnitude ML(RENASS)=4.8 and ML(CEA-LDG) 5.2 occurred on 21 June 2019 at 6 h 50 min UT 8. h 50 min in local time). The moment magnitude (Mw) is calculated between 3.9 and 4.0. The mechanism at the focus is essentially stalling. Waveform inversion indicates a preferential depth between 5 and 7 km. The epicentre is located 6 km SW of Tancoigné in the south of the department of Maine-et-Loire according to BCSF-RENASS data not far from those calculated by the CEA-DASE Detection and Geophysics Laboratory and Geoazur. This earthquake is located in the zone classified as moderate seismicity. In order to estimate the severity level of the ground shaking of the 21 June earthquake (intensity EMS98), a macro-seismic survey to collect the seismic effects was launched by BCSF-RENASS on 1204 communes around the epicentre in nine departments., Le séisme de magnitude ML(RENASS)=4,8 et ML(CEA-LDG) 5,2 s’est produit le 21 juin 2019 à 6 h 50 min TU 8h 50 min en heure locale). La magnitude de moment (Mw) est calculée entre 3.9 et 4.0. Le mécanisme au foyer est essentiellementdécrochant. L’inversion des formes d’onde indique une profondeur préférentielle entre 5 et 7 km. L’épicentre se trouve à 6 km au SW de Tancoigné au sud du département de Maine-et-Loire selon les données du BCSF-RENASS non loin de ceux calculés par le Laboratoire de Détection et de géophysique du CEA-DASE et de Géoazur. Ce séisme est localisé dans la zone règlementairement classée en sismicité modéré. Dans l’objectif de l’estimation du niveau de sévérité de la secousse au sol du séisme du 21 juin (intensité EMS98), une enquête macrosismique permettant de collecter les effets sismiques a été lancée par le BCSF-RENASS sur 1204 communes autour de l’épicentre dans neuf départements.

Building survey is an essential data-collection procedure to feed large-scale seismic vulnerability assessment. The available strategies usually consider survey forms to gather information about the urban buildings. The application of the available survey forms poses important challenges for the case of the heterogeneous urban centers including different structural typologies. This work proposes four specific survey forms for traditional structural typologies constructed with masonry, reinforced concrete, mixed steel-reinforced concrete, and timber. The proposed forms request essential information on the parameters necessary for seismic vulnerability assessment, by evaluating the lateral-load resistant system, regularity, condition of conservation, and existing damages. The survey forms were applied to the study of 111 buildings of the historical center of Valparaíso, Chile. The proposed methodology was complemented with the use of Geographic Information Systems to obtain a complete database with the structural characterization of the most representative typologies for future works of large-scale seismic vulnerability assessment.

This paper investigates about the seismic vulnerability and risk of fifteen masonry churches located in the historical centre of Naples. The used analysis method is derived from a procedure already implemented by the University of Basilicata on the churches of Matera. In order to evaluate for the study area the seismic vulnerability and hazard indexes of selected churches, the use of appropriate technical survey forms is done. Data obtained from applying the employed procedure allow for both plotting of vulnerability maps and providing seismic risk indicators of all churches. The comparison among the indexes achieved allows for the evaluation of the health state of inspected churches so to program a priority scale in performing future retrofitting interventions.

The objective of the study is to examine the effectiveness of learning and teaching techniques of communication and teamwork skills of students in the learning process in the university. The study was based on a survey form and the examination results of students in courses selected by Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, which is Utilities Design and Integrated Projects (IP) with 75 and 43 respondents, respectively. The data analysis obtained shows that students are receptive to carrying out tasks in small group, satisfaction with the evaluation through presentations and receive new knowledge.

The paper deals with the numerical calibration of a speedy procedure for large scale seismic vulnerability assessment of masonry building aggregates, which are typical building compounds diffused within historical centres of many Italian towns. First of all, based on several numerical analyses developed with the 3MURI calculation program, this simplified assessment procedure has been implemented, it being derived from the well known vulnerability form for masonry buildings integrated by five parameters accounting for the aggregate conditions among adjacent units. Later on, the set-up procedure has been validated through an application to a single building aggregate in the Vesuvius area. Since the results previously achieved have been again confirmed, subsequently the procedure has been used to investigate a wide area of the historical centre of Torre del Greco, allowing for the knowledge of the buildings most at risk under earthquake. Finally, the methodology has been applied to the historical centre of Poggio Picenze (AQ), damaged by the recent Italian earthquake (2009), in order to prove its effectiveness to foresee the damage level experienced by other types of masonry aggregates under seismic actions.