Seismic Vulnerability Assessment for Masonry Churches: An Overview on Existing Methodologies

The present manuscript deals with the seismic vulnerability assessment of existing masonry churches, which is a fundamental process for risk and consequent prioritization analyses, as well as application of effective retrofitting strategies. In the past, different approaches with various levels of accuracy and application ranges have been developed to assess the vulnerability to damage of such structures in case of seismic events. Based on the classification provided in the Italian Guidelines for the Cultural Heritage, in this paper a review of seismic vulnerability assessment methodologies for existing masonry churches is presented. The main goal of the current study is to provide a critical comparative overview about these procedures, highlighting the main issues related to the application of each detail level. Moreover, particular attention is focused on the applications present in literature, allowing for the definition of a potential systematic procedure for smart management policy aimed at preserving cultural, architectural and historical heritage.