Seismic vulnerability methods for masonry buildings in historical centres: validation and application for prediction analyses and intervention proposals

A valid approach for the limit analysis of existing masonry buildings in seismic areas concerns the application of single or combined kinematics models involving the equilibrium of structural macro-elements. They can be more reliable in describing the real structural behaviour than common equivalent static procedures, based on the “box” behaviour of the structure and on the elasto-plastic behaviour of the masonry. The main results of the application of different procedures for the static analysis of masonry buildings in seismic area are discussed in the paper. Urban centres suffering different levels of damage and different typologies of buildings are compared.