The L’Aquila earthquake, April 6th, 2009 : a review of seismic damage mechanisms

Abstract

On the 6th April 2009, an earthquake hit the city of L’Aquila and some villages around it. The aim of this paper is to review the technical features and assess the seismic behaviour of some representative traditional and modern buildings of L’Aquila and the suburbs during theAbruzzo 2009 seismic event.The damage induced in both unreinforced masonry (URM) and reinforced concrete (R/C) buildings was severe, and several structures collapsed. This paper includes an overview of the dynamic characteristics of the earthquake and the seismic history of the region. In order to investigate the seismic performance of URM and R/C buildings, a detailed field investigation was carried out, for three residential quarters of the old city. The seismic behaviour of the URM and R/C buildings is discussed. The main causes of building damage are investigated and these are reviewed with respect to the characteristics of the earthquake. Moreover, the seismic behaviour of non-structural members of buildings that increased the death-toll during the recent earthquake is investigated. In conclusion, features that increase the earthquake resistance, related to the soil conditions and the use of lintels, anchors and metal ties are discussed.