Seismic Classification of Buildings and Tax Breaks: the 2017 Italian Guidelines

Synopsis

The need for urgent and systematic actions to reduce the seismic risk of the Italian building stock is evident from the fact that even relatively small earthquakes are able to induce significant damage. This highlights the extremely high vulnerability of Italian constructions, most of which are ancient stone or masonry structures, or have been erected in the absence of proper seismic provisions. In order to significantly improve the scenario, huge financial resources are required. Hence, since funds for investment are limited, an evaluation of the seismic risk of Italian buildings is of paramount importance in order to quantify the required resources, to plan investments and to define prioritization strategies for the seismic risk mitigation.

In October 2013 the Ministry of Infrastructures formed a work group, promoted by ISI (the Italian Society of Earthquake Engineering), with the task of defining a method for the Seismic Classification of Buildings. In April 2015 the work group submitted to the Italian Minister a draft of the guidelines for a new seismic performance classification framework based on expected annual losses (EAL), which was the basis for the Seismic Risk Classification introduced in Italy in February 2017.

The Classification has a structure similar to the Energy Performance Classification of Buildings and allows ranking the buildings in 7 classes (from A to G). To stimulate the adoption of risk mitigation measures, together with the Seismic Classification, the Italian government has introduced an interesting tax deduction scheme where the amount of deductible costs is based on the level of seismic risk reduction achieved through retrofitting works. This evening meeting will illustrate both the Italian Seismic Classification of Buildings approach, and the tax deduction scheme that accompanies it.

About the Speaker

Paolo Riva is a Professor of Structural Engineering at the Department of Engineering and Applied Sciences of the University of Bergamo, where, from 2009 to 2015, he served as Dean of Engineering. Amongst other courses, Prof. Riva teaches Seismic Design of RC and precast concrete structures. This subject is strictly related to his research interests, which include nonlinear analysis of RC structures, seismic behaviour of RC structures with particular emphasis on the behaviour of structural walls and of precast concrete elements, and seismic retrofitting of existing structures. In these and other topics, Prof. Riva has authored and co-authored more than 250 papers in International journals and conference proceedings. During his career, Prof. Riva coordinated and collaborated in several national and international research and design projects. Currently, since March 2016 he is a Member of CEN-TC229 ‘Precast Concrete Products’ and Liaison of CEN TC229 to CEN TC250-SC8 ‘Eurocode 8: Earthquake resistance design of structures’. Since March 2017 he is Convenor of TG ‘Cladding and Infill Panels’ of CEN TC250-SC8.

In addition, Prof. Riva serves as Vice-President of ISI which is the Italian Society of Earthquake Engineering (ISI - Ingegneria Sismica Italiana). This role allowed him to be involved in the process for the definition of the Italian guidelines for the seismic classification of buildings that have been issued in February 2017.

Further information

This evening meeting is organised by SECED and chaired by Tiziana Rossetto (UCL). Non-members of the society are welcome to attend. Attendance at this meeting is free. Seats are allocated on a first come, first served basis. Tea and biscuits will be served from 5.30pm - 6pm. For further information, please contact Shelly-Ann Russell (tel. 020 7665 2147, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).