A simplified procedure for risk assessment of cultural heritage: definition and application to case studies

Nowadays comprehensive management plans are needed for conserving and protecting the immovable cultural heritage in high natural risks-prone areas. In a previous work a seismic risk assessment procedure was proposed, established by applying three different tools addressed to define: seismic vulnerability assessment, hazard mapping and prioritizing assistance based on cultural value. In this paper some applications to case studies of the proposed procedure are shown. In particular, are performed the seismic risk evaluations of two Chilean and two Italian old masonry churches. The seismic vulnerability has been evaluated taken into account some structural indicators such as: the building position and the characteristics of its foundations; geometry in plan and in elevation; distance between walls; the type and quality of the resistant system; horizontal and covering structures; the conservation status; alterations in the construction system and in the environment; vulnerability to fire and the presence of secondary elements that could fall after an earthquake. The seismic hazard is evaluated also including other threats such as: landslides, erosion, physical stress, air pollution, socio-organizational and scarce maintenance, making a hierarchy according to the severity of potential damage on the Cultural Property that can increase seismic risk.