Vulnerability study in seismic areas: the role of on-site and archives investigation

The seismic response of old stone masonry buildings in Western Liguria is approached by a multi-disciplinary view. The historical centers of Baiardo, Taggia and Bussana (Province of Imperia, Italy) and others, still display signs of damage due to XIX century earthquakes, to which the problems of lack of maintenance and, in many cases, of abandon have overlapped. A method for evaluating their seismic vulnerability is proposed after: (i) a direct survey of the buildings (based on a stratigraphical survey and on a survey of the crack patterns and of the wall sections), (ii) the collection of indirect information from documentary sources, (iii) the collection of data recorded through in-situ non destructive or low destructive mechanical testing and laboratory investigation aiming at the chemical, physical and mechanical characterization of masonry components. The role of historical analysis will be shown as a basic source of knowledge of the structures for the subsequent assessment of seismic vulnerability.