Local seismic cultures: the use of timber frame structures in the south of Portugal

2015-01-01

Ortega Heras, Javier; Vasconcelos, Graça; Rodrigues, Hugo; Correia, Mariana

Pombalino construction system; Local seismic Culture; Seismic vulnerability; Structural alterations; Vila Real de Santo António

Given the fact that using timber frame structures has proven to improve the seismic behavior ofvernacular architecture, as has been reported in past earthquakes in many countries, itspreservation as a traditional earthquake resistant practice is important. This paper firstly intendsto evaluate whether the use of timber frames as a traditional seismic resistant technique forvernacular architecture in the South of Portugal, traditionally a seismic region, is still active.Secondly, the city of Vila Real de Santo António was selected as a case study because it alsofollowed a Pombaline development contemporary to the reconstruction of Lisbon. The planincluded the provision of timber frame partition walls for some of the buildings and, thus, anoverview of the type of constructions originally conceived is provided. Finally, the alterationsdone in the original constructions and the current state of the city center are described and theeffect of these changes on the seismic vulnerability of the city is discussed.