Seismic Assessment of Complex Historical Buildings: Application to Reggio Emilia Cathedral, Italy

The definition of structural safety of a historical masonry structure is still a concept that is somewhat difficult to interpret. Whereas for new masonry structures, it is possible to have useful indications about their structural behavior, as the analysis turns to “historical” constructions such a task became increasingly more difficult. Furthermore, the needs of preservation of the historical, cultural, and architectural essence of the building in many cases contrast with the needs of providing the “adequate” capacity to its structure, especially in order to withstand the design seismic loads. The study presented in the article is related to the definition of a knowledge and safety assessment path , concerning masonry religious buildings with a monumental character. A complex building, the Santa Maria Assunta (Our Lady of the Assumption) Cathedral in Reggio Emilia (Italy), is studied in order to evaluate its structural behavior thus defining its seismic vulnerability, by using different investigation and analysis methodologies.