Reliability of traditional timber-floor masonry buildings to seismic action

Abstract

A considerable number of timber floor masonry structures, typical for construction practices of the late 19th century, were damaged in the earthquake that struck Zagreb on 22 March 2020. Due to the lack of reliable earthquake analyses of this type of structures, it is difficult to estimate the level of risk such buildings are exposed to in the case of design earthquake events. The results of seismic analysis of one such structure are presented in the paper. The analysis is based on displacements and is known as PBD (Performance Based Design). The real necessity, efficiency, and methods for improving seismic response of this type of structures, are discussed.