Codes of practice for architectural heritage in seismic zones

The acknowledgment from the scientific community that the buildings belonging to the cultural heritage can not be evaluated with regards to the seismic action according to standards that are fitted for newly constructed buildings, indicated a new way to undertake in the seismic assessment of such class of buildings. In particular, it was accepted that the balance between structural safety and architectural preservation must take into account both exigencies, on one hand not fully complying with the seismic actions defined by the standards if this would lead to interventions that can alter in a significant manner the cultural and architectonical essence of the building, on the other even changing the use of a specific building, in order to make it able to withstand the seismic action. Safety evaluations must then involve a multidisciplinary, qualitative/quantitative approach.