Home / Current Issue / Paper 1712717
Seismic Retrofitting of Historical Buildings: A Review
Subject area: Science,Engineering and Technology · Area of research: Engineering
Abstract
This review paper examines the multifaceted challenges and opportunities inherent in the seismic retrofitting of historical buildings. Drawing upon secondary data collected from Scopus and other databases, the review explores the delicate balance between preserving structural integrity and maintaining cultural heritage. It emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration among engineers, architects, preservationists, and cultural heritage experts. The review analyzes various retrofitting strategies, methods, and conservation-compatible solutions, highlighting their efficacy in enhancing the resilience of historical structures while respecting their unique architectural character and historical significance. The findings underscore the critical need for a holistic approach that integrates structural reinforcement with heritage preservation, ensuring the sustainable development and continued appreciation of these invaluable cultural assets for future generations.
Keywords
Seismic Retrofitting, Historical Buildings, Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Conservation-Compatible Solutions
References
[1] Akande, O. K. (2019). Improving Environmental Sustainability in Reuse of Some of England’s Churches: Challenges and Options for Sustainable Practices. In IntechOpen eBooks. IntechOpen. https://doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.81222
[2] Aung, M. M. M., & Aye, M. N. (2021). Seismic Safety Assessment of Existing Low-rise RC Buildings with Rapid Visual Screenings and Preliminary Evaluation Methods. In ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development (Vol. 38, Issue 1). https://doi.org/10.29037/ajstd.649
[3] Bani-Hani, K. A., & Barakat, S. (2006). Analytical evaluation of repair and strengthening measures of Qasr al-Bint historical monument—Petra, Jordan. In Engineering Structures (Vol. 28, Issue 10, p. 1355). Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2005.10.015
[4] Bansal, K. (2018). Structural retrofitting in historic buildings – the case of Hearst Greek theatre, California. In International Journal of Engineering & Technology (Vol. 7, Issue 1, p. 1). https://doi.org/10.14419/ijet.v7i1.4.9027
[5] Belkayalı, N., & Kaymaz, I. (2021). Acoustic Environment of Urban Historical Places: A Case Study in Kastamonu, Turkey. In Sustainability (Vol. 13, Issue 15, p. 8423). Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13158423
[6] Besen, P., Boarin, P., & Haarhoff, E. (2020). Energy and Seismic Retrofit of Historic Buildings in New Zealand: Reflections on Current Policies and Practice. In The Historic Environment Policy & Practice (Vol. 11, Issue 1, p. 91). Taylor & Francis. https://doi.org/10.1080/17567505.2020.1715597
[7] Brando, G., Cocco, G., Mazzanti, C., Peruch, M., Spacone, E., Alfaro, C., Sovero, K., & Tarque, N. (2021). Vulnerability Assessment of Dwellings in the Historic Center of Cusco (Peru). In 12th International Conference on Structural Analysis of Historical Constructions. https://doi.org/10.23967/sahc.2021.316
[8] Buachart, C., Hansapinyo, C., Tantisukhuman, N., MIYAMOTO, M., MATSUSHIMA, M., Limkatanyu, S., Imjai, T., & Zhang, H. (2022). Real time vibration measurement and inverse analysis for dynamic properties of an axisymmetric masonry structure. In Journal of Asian Architecture and Building Engineering (Vol. 22, Issue 4, p. 2237). Taylor & Francis. https://doi.org/10.1080/13467581.2022.2145212
[9] Buda, A., Hansen, E. J. de P., Rieser, A., Giancola, E., Pracchi, V., Mauri, S. D., Marincioni, V., Gori, V., Fouseki, K., López, C. S. P., Faro, A. L., Egusquiza, A., Haas, F., Leonardi, E., & Herrera-Avellanosa, D. (2021). Conservation-Compatible Retrofit Solutions in Historic Buildings: An Integrated Approach. In Sustainability (Vol. 13, Issue 5, p. 2927). Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13052927
[10] Caprino, A., Lorenzoni, F., Carnieletto, L., Feletto, L., Carli, M. D., & Porto, F. da. (2021). Integrated Seismic and Energy Retrofit Interventions on a URM Masonry Building: The Case Study of the Former Courthouse in Fabriano. In Sustainability (Vol. 13, Issue 17, p. 9592). Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13179592
[11] Chiu, C., & Jean, W. (2011). Evaluating Procedure of Optimal Seismic Retrofit Level for a Low-Rise Reinforced Concrete Building. In Journal of Advanced Concrete Technology (Vol. 9, Issue 3, p. 287). https://doi.org/10.3151/jact.9.287
[12] Coccia, S., Carlo, F. D., & Imperatore, S. (2020). Masonry Walls Retrofitted with Vertical FRP Rebars. In Buildings (Vol. 10, Issue 4, p. 72). Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings10040072
[13] Cook, D., Ledbetter, S., Ring, S. G., & Wenzel, F. (2000). Masonry crack damage: its origins, diagnosis, philosophy and a basis for repair. In Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Structures and Buildings (Vol. 140, Issue 1, p. 39). ICE Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1680/stbu.2000.140.1.39
[14] Cui, W., Zhang, W. P., & Gu, X. L. (2010). Performance-Based Seismic Evaluation of Historical Buildings. In Advanced materials research (Vol. 133, p. 1259). Trans Tech Publications. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.133-134.1259
[15] Ferreira, T. M., Mendes, N., & Silva, R. A. (2019). Multiscale Seismic Vulnerability Assessment and Retrofit of Existing Masonry Buildings. In Buildings (Vol. 9, Issue 4, p. 91). Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings9040091
[16] Gallo, W. W. C., Gabbianelli, G., & Monteiro, R. (2021). Assessment of Multi-Criteria Evaluation Procedures for Identification of Optimal Seismic Retrofitting Strategies for Existing RC Buildings. In Journal of Earthquake Engineering (Vol. 26, Issue 11, p. 5539). Taylor & Francis. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632469.2021.1878074
[17] Georgakopoulos, P., & Koklanos, P. (2012). Design, Detailing, and Architectural Impacts of Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRP) and Geotextile Fabrics in the Blast Mitigation of Unreinforced Masonry Walls in Historic Buildings. In Structures Congress 2019. https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784412367.032
[18] Jebur, A. K. (2022). The Techniques of Cultural Heritage: Literature Review. In Saudi Journal of Civil Engineering (Vol. 6, Issue 4, p. 108). https://doi.org/10.36348/sjce.2022.v06i04.006
[19] Kamal, M. A., & Brar, T. S. (2021). Analysis of Seismic Retrofitting in Heritage Buildings: Techniques and Conservation Interventions. In Architecture Engineering and Science (Vol. 2, Issue 3). https://doi.org/10.32629/aes.v2i3.460
[20] Kumar, K., & Nayal, D. (2020). Retrofitting the Existing Requirements and the Associated Existing Services for an Institutional Building to Enhance the Functionality of the Built Environment. In International Journal of Engineering Research and (Issue 3). International Research Publication House. https://doi.org/10.17577/ijertv9is030403
[21] Lombardo, G. (2021). The Seismic Coat: A Sustainable and Integrated Approach to the Retrofit of Existing Buildings. In Sustainability (Vol. 13, Issue 11, p. 6466). Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13116466
[22] Manfredi, V., Santarsiero, G., Masi, A., & Ventura, G. (2021). The High-Performance Dissipating Frame (HPDF) System for the Seismic Strengthening of RC Existing Buildings. In Sustainability (Vol. 13, Issue 4, p. 1864). Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13041864
[23] Manolache, L., Wang, Y., Tirca, L., & Bagchi, A. (2023). Vibration characteristics of an existing high‐rise building in Montreal and the effects of retrofit. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cepa.512
[24] Martakis, P., Reuland, Y., Imesch, M., & Chatzi, E. (2022). Reducing uncertainty in seismic assessment of multiple masonry buildings based on monitored demolitions. In Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering (Vol. 20, Issue 9, p. 4441). Springer Science+Business Media. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-022-01369-0
[25] Martins, T., García, J. M. B., Ferrández, A., Tarque, N., & Fernández, J. (2021). Seismic Retrofitting of Historical Masonry Heritage Structures: A Case Study of an Adobe Masonry Building in Lima, Peru. In 12th International Conference on Structural Analysis of Historical Constructions. https://doi.org/10.23967/sahc.2021.232
[26] Mason, J. A. (2008). Strengthening of a Historic Unreinforced Masonry Church Tower. In Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction (Vol. 13, Issue 1, p. 31). American Society of Civil Engineers. https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)1084-0680(2008)13:1(31)
[27] Miano, A., Silva, D. de, Chiumiento, G., & Capasso, M. L. (2020). Seismic and Fire Assessment and Upgrading Process for Historical Buildings: The Case Study of Palazzo Colonna in Caggiano. In Frontiers in Built Environment (Vol. 6). Frontiers Media. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbuil.2020.00022
[28] Negro, P., & Mola, E. (2015). A performance based approach for the seismic assessment and rehabilitation of existing RC buildings. In Bulletin of Earthquake Engineering (Vol. 15, Issue 8, p. 3349). Springer Science+Business Media. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10518-015-9845-8
[29] Ponte, M., Penna, A., & Bento, R. (2023). In-plane cyclic tests of strengthened rubble stone masonry. In Materials and Structures (Vol. 56, Issue 2). Springer Science+Business Media. https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-023-02126-8
[30] Shi, S., Du, D., Xu, W., & Wang, S. (2020). Theoretical and experimental study on an innovative seismic retrofit solution for old brick masonry buildings. In Engineering Structures (Vol. 225, p. 111296). Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engstruct.2020.111296
[31] Sonda, D., Miyamoto, K., Kast, S., & Khanal, A. (2018). The restoration and seismic strengthening of the earthquake-damaged UNESCO heritage palace in Kathmandu. In International Journal of Architectural Heritage (Vol. 13, Issue 1, p. 153). Taylor & Francis. https://doi.org/10.1080/15583058.2018.1497229
[32] Terenzi, G., Fuso, E., Sorace, S., & Costoli, I. (2020). Enhanced Seismic Retrofit of a Reinforced Concrete Building of Architectural Interest. In Buildings (Vol. 10, Issue 11, p. 211). Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings1011021
[33] Vailati, M., Monti, G., & Bianco, V. (2021). Integrated Solution-Base Isolation and Repositioning-for the Seismic Rehabilitation of a Preserved Strategic Building. In Buildings (Vol. 11, Issue 4, p. 164). Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings11040164
How to cite this paper
@article{1712717,
author = {Shabeer Ahmad, Shilpa Chauhan},
title = {Seismic Retrofitting of Historical Buildings: A Review},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2025},
volume = {9},
number = {6},
pages = {791-800},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1712717.pdf},
abstract = {This review paper examines the multifaceted challenges and opportunities inherent in the seismic retrofitting of historical buildings. Drawing upon secondary data collected from Scopus and other databases, the review explores the delicate balance between preserving structural integrity and maintaining cultural heritage. It emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration among engineers, architects, preservationists, and cultural heritage experts. The review analyzes various retrofitting strategies, methods, and conservation-compatible solutions, highlighting their efficacy in enhancing the resilience of historical structures while respecting their unique architectural character and historical significance. The findings underscore the critical need for a holistic approach that integrates structural reinforcement with heritage preservation, ensuring the sustainable development and continued appreciation of these invaluable cultural assets for future generations.},
keywords = {Seismic Retrofitting, Historical Buildings, Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Conservation-Compatible Solutions},
month = {December},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV9I6-1712717}
}