Summary

Seismic vulnerability is defined as the susceptibility of buildings to earthquake effects, i.e. its assessment determines the probability of damage. Historic urban areas are particularly vulnerable due to unreinforced masonry structures. The complexity of the issue of seismic vulnerability increases with block construction, where the interaction between units can significantly affect the seismic response. The global effect refers to the distribution of forces within the block, while the local effect includes collisions between units due to differences in stiffness. Research shows that the analysis of free-standing buildings can simplify the assessment, but different urban patterns may require specific approaches.

In Croatia, recent earthquakes have prompted research on the seismic vulnerability of masonry blocks, especially in Zagreb. The results of preliminary assessments have shown a discrepancy between the predicted and actual levels of damage, which indicates the need to re-evaluate existing methods. The project will analyze the impact of block construction on the seismic response of buildings and will validate it with data (damage) from recent earthquakes in Croatia.