Seismic and Energy Retrofit of the Historic Urban Fabric of Enna (Italy)

Abstract

This paper exemplifies several methods for retrofitting existing housing through four case studies, representative of the historical centre of Enna, a small town in Sicily, according to the requirements of static safety, typological adaptation and indoor comfort. These buildings were mostly built in the nineteenth century, up to three floors based on load-bearing masonry, iron joists and hollow tile floors and wooden roofs. A typological and construction analysis of these buildings was carried out to identify the stratigraphy of the different technical elements. Static and energy audits had been previously undertaken to understand the gap between the current state of the buildings and Italian standards and to develop appropriate interventions taking into account the site characteristics and the energy and seismic risk class pre-and post-retrofit intervention. The analyses and the retrofit interventions were performed in compliance with Italian standards and laws and strove to reach the minimum level. The study supports the planning of structural and energy retrofit interventions designed for historic load-bearing masonry buildings. Finally, the study simulates a strategy of action to provide subsidies and tax relief related to effective seismic and/or energy improvement that could be relevant for owners/builders as well as for local authorities.

Reconciling Energy and Heritage: Retrofit of Heritage Buildings in Contexts of Energy Vulnerability

“…This given that if the energy retrofitting is compatible with the conservation requirements or, for example, with obligatory actions to improve the structural behavior and safety, then the strategies can be applied [54]. A similar approach is proposed by [23,55,56], focusing on structural and seismic retrofits. This is particularly relevant in the context of energy vulnerability, where resources are limited.…”

“…In the same sense, considering the aforementioned exclusion, every country has had the option to implement their energy requirements for heritage buildings [17,19]. This has resulted in multiple projects like EFFESUS and 3ENCULT [20,21], as well as diverse procedures and methodologies [22][23][24][25][26][27] to integrate these two areas and to define common principles [19,28].…”

A Methodology for an Integrated Approach for Seismic and Energy Refurbishment of Historic Buildings in Mediterranean Area

“…Sustainability 2018, 10, x FOR PEER REVIEW 5 of 21 reinforced concrete structures, in Italy and Romania and described some key combined renovation interventions as well as advantages and perspectives of an integrated renovation approach [25]. The design of structural and energy retrofit interventions planned for historic load-bearing masonry buildings has been proposed for the town of Enna [26]. To understand the gap between the current state of the buildings and Italian standards, structural and energy audits had been undertaken.…”

“…The design of structural and energy retrofit interventions planned for historic load-bearing masonry buildings has been proposed for the town of Enna [26]. To understand the gap between the current state of the buildings and Italian standards, structural and energy audits had been undertaken.…”

Seismic Vulnerability Assessment of Historic Constructions in the Downtown of Mexico City

“…Specifically concerning Heritage Sites, the elements considered are the inherent features of a cultural heritage site, a group of buildings, monuments or objects, as well as their institutional and/or socio-economic context [3]. In terms of the vulnerability of historic buildings, it is fundamental that vulnerability studies address the assessment of potential damages and, based on those, discuss possible rehabilitation and/or retrofit interventions and supported pre-and post-disaster decisions [4][5][6].…”