Emil-Sever Georgescu

Ambient vibration instrumentation is a non-destructive in-situ testing method that can be used to assess the dynamic properties of a building. By analyzing the time histories of accelerations, velocities and displacements (both instantaneous maximum values, or averaged RMS values) and applying specific evaluation criteria, we can estimate the extent of any potential damage. In 2016 and 2021, the ISIM Timisoara building underwent in-situ testing through ambient vibration measurement, using different sensor placement schemes (horizontal, vertical with an external sensor, and sensor at the last level), to accurately characterize the complex structural system. Furthermore, an analysis of the interaction between the structure and the soil is also provided. The approach outlined in the article assists in evaluating the national-level vulnerability of the built environment.

Most European cities are characterized by very large areas, often formed by buildings of low quality, from a series of perspectives (architectural, technological, materials, technical systems, etc.). The possibility of renovating them is strategic to improve both the quality of life and to the possibility of economic recovery for building companies. In the last decades, the attention of the scientific community has been addressed to the energy renovation, thanks to the strong activities of the European Community in this field. However, since a relevant part of the EC territory is at risk of earthquake, the possibility to combine both energy and seismic renovation actions may be strategic for many countries. In particular, Italy and Romania are linked by a common social tradition that springs from the Roman Empire. Nowadays, this link is stronger, thanks to common interests in social, cultural and business fields. Therefore, the investigation of possible synergies for seismic and energy renovation strategies may be really interesting for both countries. In this paper, after an overview of regulations and common practices for buildings with reinforced concrete structures, in both states, some key combined renovation interventions will be described and discussed, as well as advantages and perspectives of integrated renovation approaches. The outcomes of this work are to show the way to transform existing energy-consuming and seismic-prone buildings into energy-efficient and seismic-resistant ones.

Most European cities are characterized by very large areas, often formed by buildings with low quality, from a series of point of view. The possibility of renovating them is strategic to improve both the quality of life and to the possibility of economic recovery for building companies. In the last decades, the attention of the scientific community has been addressed to the energy renovation, thanks to the strong activities of the European Community in this field. However, since a relevant part of the EC territory is at risk of earthquake, the possibility to combine both energy and seismic renovation actions may be strategic for many countries. In particular, Italy and Romania are linked by a common social tradition that springs from the Roman Empire. Nowadays, this link is stronger, thanks to common interests in social, cultural and business fields. Therefore, the investigation of possible synergies for seismic and energy renovation strategies may be really interesting for both countries. This paper represents the first step in this direction. After an overview of regulations and common practices for buildings with reinforced concrete structures, in both states, some key combined renovation interventions will be described and discussed, as well as advantages and perspectives of integrated renovation approaches.

The main objective of the National Seismic Network for Constructions, operated by the National Institute for Research and Development in Constructions, Urban Planning and Spatial Territorial Development “URBAN-INCERC”, is the monitoring of situations generated by earthquakes or other dangerous sources of vibrations induced in constructions on the entire Romanian territory. The NIRD URBAN-INCERC seismic records obtained in-situ and on buildings were and are extremely important for designers, especially in 1977, 1986 and 1990. It is the largest network in Romania, consisting of some 60 digital acceleration recorders distributed in Bucharest and in the country. This network is strategic from the population safety point of view. Due to the specific seismic hazard and vulnerability, our country shall be in preparation for the impact of a possible earthquake, which cannot be predicted in time domain, but it is possible to occur anytime. To prevent and mitigate negative consequences of such an event, urgent actions are required to ensure structural safety. Given the facts, Romania is in a critical time on strategic options regarding the seismic risks. Presently, a urgent necessity is the seismic network function in order to get as much as possible strong-motion data for advanced research and to understand why damages in buildings occurred. The next goal is to have more parametric and spectral data for engineering design, as well as to improve the zoning maps, having more stations at reduced distances. If possible, strong-motion micro-zonation data would explain some specific shaking differences, as a future option for local arrays. The paper presents the necessity, means and requirements of achieving a holistic and integrative concept for the national seismic network of constructions, taking into account geological settings, environmental and local soil conditions on regional profiles, attenuation patterns, architectural and structural patterns, and number of seismic stations in specific seismic zones. Also, a case study of building seismic instrumentation in Bucharest according to the Romanian Seismic Design code, indicative P100-1:2013.

Romania’s capital city, Bucharest, was struck by multi-hazards in its historybut has also suffered a huge trauma by demolition of 450 hectares, to build publicinstitutions in the 1980s, during the past regime. This zone is now a protectedarea, under the threats of climate and social changes. This research projectfinanced by the Romanian Ministry of National Education aimed to identifythe patterns of building blocks, in a balanced relationship between cultural,functional values, as an identity dimension, and the nature of safety, stabilityas state values (vulnerability), under earthquakes and other hazards. Functionalvalues were evaluated with respect to the Code significance categories, functionalzoning of the General Urban Plan and Law of quality in construction. Analysis ofcultural value observed the Law of Monuments, associated to 13 criteria suggestedby authors, resulting in six evaluation stages. The intervention works includedcurrent maintenance; conservative maintenance, using also strengthening;conservative works; restoration and strengthening; partial or global restricting,with possible demolition and reconstruction works; demolition; new building.New knowledge is represented by a methodology of evaluation and decisionmakingfor multi-levelinterventioncategories, to preserveurban memoryandpresentsa case study of Bucharest,Romania(Europe).Keywords: Environmental Science, multi-hazard environment, urban heritage,conservation and intervention approaches, evaluation of cultural identity andvulnerability value, disaster risk reduction, Romania