REDUCTION OF SEISMIC RISK FOR IMMOVABLE CULTURAL PROPERTY

Abstract

The existing legislation for determining the seismic design parameters, which is used in Serbia, is defined by the "Code on technical norms for construction of buildings in seismic areas" ("Sl. List SFRJ" no. 31/81), and its amendments and amendments to ("Sl. List SFRJ" no. 49/82, 29/83, 21/88 and 52/90), as well as Code on technical standards for remediation, strengthening and reconstruction of building structures damaged in earthquakes and for reconstruction and revitalization of building structures ("Sl .List SFRY", no. 52/85).  In addition to this Code,  the "Yugoslav collection of regulations and standards for building construction" (Book 1, 1995), is in use as well as recommendations "Eurocode 8" (2004). The above mentioned normatives are related to the seismic risk prevention  for the newly constructed buildings or their revitalization, and all of them obey to no collapse requirement. Within them, all structures are grouped into appropriate categories comprising allowed seismic risk in their service life. However, in our environment there are many structures of immovable cultural heritage representing unique documents for current and future researchers. Having in mind their uniqueness and irreparable loss in the event of their destruction it is necessary to take all required actions in order to protect them in the event of an earthquake. In time, immovable cultural property and its importance exceeded the scope of the categories that could be attributed to them according to the official regulations and entered the category of structures of higher importance. Since the importance of immovable cultural heritage structures implies greater structural resistance to seismic actions it is necessary to amend the existing legislation on seismic construction and define a separate category for historic buildings. Within the listed categories of structures it is necessary to introduce two subgroups: structures of great significance and structures of extreme significance. All new solutions within regulations of seismic construction should be associated with the provisions of the Law on Cultural Property ("Official Gazette of the Republic of Serbia " no.71/94). These legislative changes would result in obligation to prevent seismic hazards to which historical buildings are exposed, through standardized legal studies and interventions on buildings.