Seismic vulnerability assessment of the Casbah of Algiers

A seismic vulnerability assessment of the Casbah of Algiers reveals that irregularities in Ottoman-era construction significantly increase the risk of collapse during earthquakes. The study, conducted as part of the EU-funded PERPETUATE project, analyzed 150 historical buildings using a quantitative data collection form and the numerical procedure FaMIVE to identify structural weaknesses and collapse mechanisms. Findings highlight that past seismic events, coupled with neglect in maintenance and post-earthquake repairs, have exacerbated the Casbah's vulnerability. The distribution of collapse mechanisms and load factor multipliers underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to mitigate seismic risk in this culturally significant area.

Novelli, V., & D'Ayala, D. (2012). Seismic vulnerability assessment of the Casbah of Algiers. Unpublished. https://doi.org/10.13140/2.1.4414.6882