SEISMIC VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT OF AN HISTORICAL UNREINFORCED MASONRY BUILDING OF THE XIXTH CENTURY: EL FETH HIGH SCHOOL IN BLIDA, ALGERIA

Schools In Algeria, built in the XIXth and XXth centuries, are not only places of education and learning, but make up a rich cultural heritage of architectural techniques and traditional know-how. However, their seismic vulnerability risks the safety of their occupants. They were built of masonry before seismic regulations were put into place, which increases their sensitivity to seismic hazard. Algeria is situated in a well-known zone of high seismic activity and the risk to these buildings challenges their structural behaviour. This study focuses on an assessment of seismic vulnerability on a specimen built entirely in hollow brick which wonderfully represents this architectural heritage leading to a better understanding of the potential risks for these buildings, at a structural level. Macro element models, using the Tremuri software, are subjected to a non-linear “Pushover” analysis in order to determine the degree of vulnerability and locate the weak sections of the structure which could collapse during seismic action. This study aims to highlight the seismic risks of these types of structures and also offer appropriate guidelines and recommendations that could be of use during a possible rehabilitation or conservation program of this built heritage site.