A database construction tool for seismic vulnerability assessment of timber roof structures

A procedure for the assessment of the seismic vulnerability of timber roof structures previously proposed by the authors is divided into two steps: the first consists in acquiring knowledge of the structure by means of a visual inspection focusing on aspects related to seismic behaviour, while the second elaborates these data to express the vulnerability level of the structural system. Reference is made to a series of structural characteristics and details that may be considered as vulnerability indicators, among which are the structural typology, the quality of carpentry joints, and the effectiveness of restraints. The original implementation of the procedure made use of paper forms, or templates, for the phase of data collection. The template permits to organize data in a format suitable for use in the vulnerability assessment step, but is also useful as a guide for performing the survey according to predefined and standardized criteria. Paper forms, even if resilient, are often cumbersome to bring along and fill. The development of new digital technologies, like easily portable computers of small weight and limited dimensions and tablets, has suggested developing a revised digital version of the procedure. The design and implementation of a software tool guiding the survey and recording the observed data into a database has brought to update and improve the original procedure, taking advantage of the possibilities offered by a software support that combines programming language and graphics with great flexibility.