ABSTRACT
Simple tests were devised to assess the potential resistance of ordinary dwellings in the Mediterranean coastal belt which may be subjected to dynamic loads. Many of the buildings which are occupied, impose cost and logistic constraints on any proposed improvement. The project has been laboratory based and has consisted of: (a) identifying a simple design which typifies both the foundations and the structural layout, (b) choosing a practical scale so that method of construction and material properties could be modelled faithfully and, (c) repairing the ensuing damage after the initial dynamic loads and assessing the improved resistance due to renewed loading. The repairs were found to be simple, inexpensive and effective, improving the structural stiffness by over 20%.
