Seismic Retrofitting Learning From Vernacular Architecture

Seismic Retrofitting: Learning from Vernacular Architecture

Local communities have adapted for centuries to challenging surroundings, resulting from unforeseen natural hazards. Vernacular architecture often reveals very intelligent responses attuned to the environment. Therefore, the question that emerged was: how did local populations prepare their dwellings to face frequent earthquakes? It was to respond to this gap in knowledge, that the SEISMIC-V research project was instigated, and this interdisciplinary international publication was prepared. The research revealed the existence of a local seismic culture, in terms of reactive or preventive seismic resistant measures, able to survive, if properly maintained, in areas with frequent earthquakes. The fundamental contribution and aims of the publication were to enhance: -The disciplinary interest in vernacular architecture; -Its contribution to risk mitigation in responding to natural hazards; -To encourage academic and scientific research collaboration among different disciplines; -To contribute to the improvement of vernacular dwellings, which half of the world’s population still inhabits nowadays. Fifty international researchers and experts presented case studies from Latin America, the Mediterranean, Eastern and Central Asia and the Himalayas region, with reference to 20 countries, i.e. Algeria, Bolivia, Bhutan, Chile, China, Egypt, El Salvador, Greece, Haiti, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Peru, Romania, Taiwan, Turkey and a closer detailed analysis of Portugal. This publication brings together 43 contributions, with new perspectives on seismic retrofitting techniques and relevant data, addressing vernacular architecture; an amazing source of knowledge, and to this day, home to 4 billion people.

Seismic Retrofitting

Vernacular Architecture

Vernacular architecture refers to regional buildings. It utilizes resources from the region in which the buildings are situated. This type of architecture reveals a collective heritage, embodying the diversity and richness of natural, human, and socio-cultural contexts. Vernacular architecture thus is the result of ancestral knowledge in the use of local materials and pure craft techniques. The book focuses on four topics: (1): Richness and diversity of forms of expression; (2) Restoration issues and revitalization challenges, (3) Natural risks and resilience, and (4) Vernacular architecture as a source of inspiration and a lever for development. Keywords: Coastal Vernacular Architecture, Climatic and Cultural Challenges, Intellectual Representations, Traditional Earthen Architecture, Environment and Restoration, Thermal Storage Materials, Arid Environments, Heritage Preservation, Biopolymer Composite Materials, Hydrography, Tented Living, Seismic Hazards, Seismic Resilience, Bio-Sourced Materials, Geophysical Characterization, Sustainable Territorial Design, Solar Collector, Thermal Storage, Rammed Earth Buildings, Resilient Architecture, Energy-Efficient Buildings, Hydraulic Networks.