ABSTRACT
The assessment of structural safety of existing buildings is crucial in Italy, both because of the high vulnerability of the main part of the heritage, especially due to seismic forces, and because of the historical, architectural and artistic importance of these buildings. It is necessary to carry out a detailed inspection of the building, which will be reported through specific standardized survey forms that have been developed by the author under specific research projects. The inspection allows for the definition of the necessity to provide temporary works and the subsequent investigation plan, assessing the operational and technical feasibility, with particular reference to the operational safety, an essential aspect concerning buildings that are damaged by seismic events. The numerous tests carried out in situ in Emilia allowed the comparison of the results in order to reach the assessment of the mechanical properties of the masonry typical of the area.
