Seismic Upgrading of the Heritage-Protected Reinforced Concrete Warehouse in Rijeka, Croatia

Despite Croatia experiencing two strong earthquakes in 2020, Rijeka was not directly affected, underscoring the importance of proactive seismic assessment and strengthening in all seismic regions. This paper presents a comprehensive case study on the seismic strengthening of a 20th-century concrete building located in Rijeka, Croatia, originally designed according to Austro-Hungarian construction norms and practices. As a heritage-protected structure, the building’s architectural features and construction practices were examined and contextualized within its historical background. The assessment and renovation phases of this project are discussed in detail, demonstrating the practical application of modern seismic strengthening techniques while preserving the building’s historical integrity. This case study aims to highlight the need for such measures to protect heritage structures and to show the implementation of rapid and new (ad hoc) norms for earthquake-damaged buildings in Croatia. This study serves as a reference for engineers, architects, and conservationists involved in the preservation of heritage buildings, demonstrating that it is possible to enhance their structural safety without compromising their architectural authenticity.