Seismic Response of a Strategic Building in Catania (Italy) by 2-D FEM Analysis

In the last 900 years, the east coast of Sicily has been struck by several disastrous earthquakes. The earthquakes occurred in 1169, 1542, 1693, 1818, 1908 and more recently in 1990, with estimated magnitudes, ranging from less than 5.0 to greater than 7.0, testify the high level of hazard in this area. Many towns were destroyed during the above-mentioned earthquakes. The high level of seismicity that affects the area, together with the considerable high density of inhabitants living in its urban area, contribute to classify it as one of the area having the highest seismic risk in Italy. It is also not negligible the high potential damage to which its historic-architectural patrimony could undergo even at moderate magnitudes. Many researches show that the site seismic response is strongly influenced by stratigraphic and topographic features. Site response can reduce or amplify the earthquake induced ground motion. In this study seismic response of strategic building located in Catania has been done, and main results are presented.