Parametri Geotecnici Significativi per lo Studio di Pericolosità Geotecnica Sismica di un'Area Storica della Città di Catania

The present study is part of a research programme, namely "Detailed Scenarios and Actions for Seismic Prevention of Damage in the Urban Area of Catania", financed by the National Department for the Civil Protection and the National Research Council-National Group for the Defence Against Earthquakes (CNR-GNDT). The hazard index based on geotechnical property of foundation soil assumes a considerable incidence. A semiquantitative procedure based on the definition of the geotechnical hazard index has been applied for the zonation of the seismic geotechnical hazard of the city of Catania. In particular this procedure has been applied to define the influence of geotechnical properties of soil in a central area of the city of Catania, where some historical buildings of great importance are sited. Then, in order to identify the amplification effects due to the site conditions, a geotechnical survey form was prepared, to allow a semi quantitative evaluation of the seismic geotechnical hazard for these historical buildings. In particular an evaluation of the Geotechnical Hazard Index is made for the foundation soil of the monument of the "Chiesa della Purità".