Seismic risk scenario for the historical centre of castelpoto in Southern Italy

Abstract

The study proposed a seismic vulnerability methodology applied to the historical centre of Castelpoto, located in the province of Benevento (Southern Italy). The seismic vulnerability of the examined aggregates was examined using an index-based procedure specifically developed for structural masonry compounds. The structural details and specific characteristics of building aggregates are crucial in determining the seismic vulnerability of buildings in urban environments. Parameters such as the plan configuration, size, and layout of buildings, including the thickness, height of the masonry walls and the connections among different components of the construction, were appropriately considered, since all might have an impact on their seismic performance. Furthermore, the type of masonry, the strength and composition of the mortar, as well as the quality of constructions, can also contribute to the global seismic performance of buildings. These structural parameters, collected in the used form, were correlated to the Masonry Quality Index (MQI) to provide an exhaustive assessment of the capacity (in-plane and out-of-plane mechanisms) of the bearing elements towards seismic loads. Secondly, the susceptibility to damage of the existing building stock was evaluated by applying a parametric simulation of damage scenarios adopting an appropriate Intensity Prediction Equation (IPE). To this purpose, fault models were acquired from the Database of Individual Seismogenic Sources (DISS) and the considered IPE was validated according to the Italian Macroseismic Database (DBMI). Thus, the proposed research aims to highlight how an accurate assessment of masonry strength is crucial during the inspection phase to optimise the prediction of the expected damage scenario allowing for effective risk mitigation in urbanised contexts.