We are delighted to announce a lecture by prof. Paolo Morandi of the EUCENTRE foundation, titled “Seismic assessment and retrofit strategies for URM buildings: current methods and recent research advancements”, which will be held on November 25th, 2024 at 17:15h in the Lecture hall of the temporary location of the Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Zagreb at Kranjčevićeva 2.
The lecture will address current methodologies for assessing the seismic performance of unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings, with a focus on recent research developments. Lessons from past earthquakes will be used to illustrate common failure mechanisms and their impact on building response during seismic events. The importance of comprehensive historical and geometrical surveys, along with the mechanical characterization of masonry materials, will be highlighted. Structural analysis and safety checks for the local out-of-plane mechanisms and the global in-plane response of masonry buildings will be discussed. Additionally, the lecture will cover strengthening and retrofitting approaches aimed at enhancing the seismic performance of masonry structures. The session will also review experimental and numerical outcomes from various studies, emphasizing their importance in informing seismic assessments and guiding retrofit decisions. Reference will also be made to the Italian norms and to the latest draft of Eurocode 8 Part 3. The goal is to connect theoretical principles with practical applications, offering valuable knowledge for professionals working to reduce the seismic vulnerability of masonry buildings.
prof. Paolo Morandi – short biography
Dr Paolo Morandi is senior researcher at the EUCENTRE Foundation of Pavia. He obtained his PhD and MSc degree in Earthquake Engineering at Rose School and the National Academic Qualification as Associate Professor in Structural Engineering.
His main scientific and professional interests are in field of the seismic engineering and structural design and assessment of masonry and RC buildings and arch bridges. He was principal investigator in several research projects funded by the EU and by the industry on experimental and numerical studies on the seismic response of masonry and RC buildings and infills.
He is author of more than 150 journal and conference papers. He is actively contributing to the revision of the Italian structural norms, and of the new generation of Eurocode 6 and Eurocode 8 on masonry buildings and infills as member in different Committees. He was involved, as responsible, at the surveys of damage and usability after the major seismic events in Italy of the last 20 years, mainly focusing on the strategic and relevant buildings and historical and monumental structures.
