Assessment of the efficiency of traditional earthquake resistant techniques for vernacular architecture

Specific architectural elements can be identified in constructions located in regions frequently exposed to earthquakes. These earthquake resistant features were developed empirically by local communities to protect their built-up environment. Research in these traditional practices, resulting from a local seismic culture, is a relevant and positive approach, since it focuses on the strength of the system rather than on its weaknesses. Its integration into current vernacular building practices can help to preserve and retrofit surviving in-use examples while respecting their authenticity. The main goal of the present work is to assess numerically the efficiency of traditional earthquake resistant solutions to mitigate the seismic vulnerability of vernacular architecture. The paper thus presents the results of a detailed numerical study based on finite element modeling and nonlinear static (pushover) analysis intended to quantitatively evaluate the influence of each technique on the seismic behavior of vernacular constructions and to better understand their structural role under seismic loading.The work presented in this paper was partly financed by FEDER funds through the Competitivity and Internationalization Operational Programme - COMPETE and by national funds through FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology within the scope of the project POC1-01-0145-FEDER-007633. This work was also financed in the framework of the Portuguese Public Procurement Code, LOTE 3EC5 - Escola Secundaria da Anadia e Gafanha da Nazare