PSI - Issue 78

Cristoforo Demartino et al. / Procedia Structural Integrity 78 (2026) 2126–2132

2130

4. Retrofitting strategies and decision-making frameworks

Efforts to improve the seismic resilience of Italian schools have led to the deployment of diverse retrofitting strategies. Structural interventions have included fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) jacketing, steel bracing, and the addition of reinforced concrete shear walls, particularly in RC buildings constructed without seismic design, Gentile et al. 2019. Figure 4 shows an example of retrofitting with steel bracings. In historical masonry schools, traditional techniques — such as tie-rods, steel diaphragms, and injection grouting — have been complemented by modern methods like base isolation and supplemental damping in pilot projects, Barone et al. 2023. However, as several post-intervention inspections have shown, retrofitting structural systems alone is not sufficient. Nonstructural components, if left untreated, remain a source of potential injury and post-earthquake inoperability. For instance, infill walls can detach even in retrofitted frames if anchorage is inadequate. Accordingly, a number of projects — including the ReLUIS-DPC WP4 "Progetto Scuole" — have emphasized complementary nonstructural measures: seismic clips for ceilings, bracing of heavy furniture, anti-fall systems for lights and HVAC equipment, and flexible joints for services crossing seismic gaps, Faravelli et al. 2024. Given limited budgets and the vast number of school buildings, Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) methods have become central to prioritization processes. These approaches consider not only seismic vulnerability, but also factors such as building occupancy, educational role, heritage value, and socio-economic context. Among the most relevant tools developed in Italy is PELL-Schools, a platform that integrates seismic, energy, and environmental assessments into a unified framework. Its data model, compatible with the public registry ARES and the national

Fig. 4 – Constructive detail of the retrofitting solutions

IRMA database, enables regional administrations to visualize and compare building performance across indicators. Moreover, the SICURO+ web platform, developed by EUCENTRE and supported by the Italian Civil Protection Department, has enhanced public transparency and awareness by allowing communities to consult the seismic classification of local school facilitie, Faravelli et al. 2024.