Most European buildings constructed before modern standards are both seismically vulnerable and energy-inefficient, accounting for around 35% of energy consumption and 38% of global greenhouse gas emissions. This creates an urgent socio-economic and environmental need for for both seismic and energy upgrading of existing buildings. This paper presents a state-of-the-art review of integrated seismic and energy upgrading solutions applied to building envelopes, focusing on experimental and numerical studies that combine seismic strengthening composites with thermal insulation materials. Particular emphasis is placed on prefabricated mortar- and timber-based panel systems. The review also examines economic and environmental performance, highlighting life-cycle-based cost and impact assessments. Key findings indicate that combining seismic strengthening materials with thermal insulation significantly enhance the performance of masonry-infilled RC frame buildings, while prefabricated panels offer additional benefits, including reduced on-site labor, faster installation, and lower costs.
Filippou et al. (Fri,) studied this question.
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