Protection of Historical Buildings

Book excerpt: This book is a comprehensive review of recent developments in the field of the protection of relevant buildings belonging to the cultural heritage. It collects the papers presented at the first International Conference PROHITECH 09 (Rome, Italy, June 2009). The latest progress in theoretical and experimental research on the seismic protection of existing constructions, including the relevant output of the EC funded PROHITECH International Research Project on the a oeEarthquake Protection of Historical Buildings by Reversible Mixed Technologiesa, is presented under the following topics: Conservation of the Religious Heritage; Rehabilitation of Old Bridges; Old Timber Structures; Cultural Heritage in China, Korea and Japan; Modern Heritage; The use of FRP in Structural Restoration; Passive Control; Rehabilitation of Medinas; Monitoring and Diagnosis; Study Cases; Innovative Materials and Techniques; Numerical Analyses; Traditional Restoration Techniques; Intervention Strategies; Vulnerability to Man-Made Hazards; Vulnerability to Natural Hazards; Experimental Analyses; Reversible Mixed Techniques. The aim of the book is to transfer the findings of scientists and experts involved in research, codification and application into common practice, giving a complete framework of the most recent tendencies in this field, and so providing a valuable contribution to the efforts in saving human lives and reducing both economic and cultural losses due to catastrophic events.