Seismic risk and seismic vulnerability
What is a seismic risk?
The seismic risk is an indicator that allows us to evaluate the possible effects in terms of expected damage that an earthquake can produce in a given time, area, in relation to its probability of occurrence and its range of intensity (severity of the earthquake). It is the result of the interaction between the natural event (earthquake) and the main characteristics of exposed property and life.
Seismic vulnerability is the susceptibility of a building to damage and collapse. The more vulnerable it is (type, inadequate design, poor quality of materials, construction methods and poor maintenance), the greater the consequences on the structure will be. For buildings to have a low vulnerability, current legislation requires that anti-seismic criteria will be respected, requiring structures to show a ductile response to earthquake.
What we do
In general, there are 3 possible types of intervention on existing structures.
Interventions of seismic adaptation: these are special interventions aimed at achieving the levels of safety according to technical standards. They are often very expensive both from a technical and economic point of view.
Seismic upgrading interventions: these are interventions aimed at increasing the existing structural safety level, without necessarily reaching the levels required by the standard. They are easier to carry out than seismic upgrades.
Repair or local interventions: involving isolated elements and leading to an improvement in the pre-existing safety conditions.
