J. Mendes da Silva, Romeu Vicente and Ana Cristina N. Subtil
The purpose of this paper is to report on the behaviour of the different types of façades used in the old town of Coimbra in Portugal when they are exposed to seismic activity.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to report on the behaviour of the different types of façades used in the old town of Coimbra in Portugal when they are exposed to seismic activity.
Design/methodology/approach
Over 400 façades in the uptown, and 700 in the downtown of Coimbra were surveyed to determine their material and their current state of decay. Further investigations on two specific sites were undertaken to determine the effects of seismic activity on the façades.
Findings
The paper reports on the classification of the results from the different surveys into a web‐based database. In order to achieve this classification a geographic information system (GIS) tool was used to locate the different sites under investigation.
Originality/value
This paper combines the results of an investigation into the inspection of façades in Coimbra, Portugal, with a GIS tool and database to document the results of the different surveys for seismic activity.