Nikolla Vesho PH.D.

The study is related to the historical and architectural heritage of the city of Tirana, based on the period of Italian influence until 1940. The stock of these buildings represents an interesting case, in terms of research, since they are close to the 100th anniversary after the construction and have great values for the city, as well as architectural heritage. The lifespan of these objects depends on interventions over the years, conservation, updating with digital monitoring technology and the inclusion of BIM and h-BIM tools in the treatment process. It is important to mention that the building does not only need facade maintenance and refinishing, but by getting to know its fragile parts we can have a seismic retrofit strategy ready. Specifically, this research focuses on several digitization processes, 3D models, simulation and intervention proposals. One of the main aspects is the communication between computer models, dealing with the FEM numerical model and the architectura...

The study is related to the historical and architectural heritage of the city of Tirana, based on the period of Italian influence until 1940. The stock of these buildings represents an interesting case, in terms of research, since they are close to the 100th anniversary after the construction and have great values for the city, as well as architectural heritage. The lifespan of these objects depends on interventions over the years, conservation, updating with digital monitoring technology and the inclusion of BIM and h-BIM tools in the treatment process. It is important to mention that the building does not only need facade maintenance and refinishing, but by getting to know its fragile parts we can have a seismic retrofit strategy ready. Specifically, this research focuses on several digitization processes, 3D models, simulation and intervention proposals. One of the main aspects is the communication between computer models, dealing with the FEM numerical model and the architectural model inside and outside the BIM environment, reducing the gap between them and without major data loss. After analyzing the collapse scenarios, it is intended to increase the accuracy of seismic retrofit interventions, with the sensitivity that belongs to a cultural heritage object. The application of numerical models for legacy objects presents a challenge since the complexity of handling an old building, the parameters of materials, calibrations and approaching the real response of the building in a seismic situation is known. Applications through BIM tools and files with numerous numerical data tend to make a contribution to the field of seismic engineering and heritage restoration in Albania. Variants with proposals on seismic retrofit strategies for protected buildings will be given at the end of this study.

The study is related to the historical and architectural heritage of the city of Tirana, based on the period of Italian influence until 1940. The stock of these buildings represents an interesting case, in terms of research, since they are close to the 100th anniversary after the construction and have great values for the city, as well as architectural heritage. The lifespan of these objects depends on interventions over the years, conservation, updating with digital monitoring technology and the inclusion of BIM and h-BIM tools in the treatment process. It is important to mention that the building does not only need facade maintenance and refinishing, but by getting to know its fragile parts we can have a seismic retrofit strategy ready. Specifically, this research focuses on several digitization processes, 3D models, simulation and intervention proposals. One of the main aspects is the communication between computer models, dealing with the FEM numerical model and the architectural model inside and outside the BIM environment, reducing the gap between them and without major data loss. After analyzing the collapse scenarios, it is intended to increase the accuracy of seismic retrofit interventions, with the sensitivity that belongs to a cultural heritage object. The application of numerical models for legacy objects presents a challenge since the complexity of handling an old building, the parameters of materials, calibrations and approaching the real response of the building in a seismic situation is known. Applications through BIM tools and files with numerous numerical data tend to make a contribution to the field of seismic engineering and heritage restoration in Albania. Variants with proposals on seismic retrofit strategies for protected buildings will be given at the end of this study.

This study will focus on the context of Tirana’s historic and cultural heritage, designed between the interwar period 1919-39. The building’s stock represents a good occasion, specific in terms of combining Italian Architectural style with Albanian motives. The survival of the heritage of these buildings’ structure may be possible through on-site observations, documentation, digitization, photogrammetry processing, subsequent numerical analysis through BIM, hBIM tools and the restoration | consolidation process.

This research focuses on the architectural survey process, which contributes to the enrichment of the 3D Architectural BIM model of the Building; then linking to the numerical model within the BIM environment; Finally, after the simulations, it is targeted to increase the accuracy of the consolidating and adaptive interventions of heritage objects. The application of numerical simulations for cultural heritage buildings brings a huge increase in complexity within BIM environment, and during this time few studies and researches focus on this issue, also, the problems of their calibrations and connections. The gap between the numerical simulation FEA and Building Information Modelling BIM-environment can be considered huge and is not yet fully-automated, this process relies partially on manual steps and the individual experience on this topic. One of the main goals is to treat the complicated 3D modelling of existing buildings of this period, using the building information modelling methodology as a tool that helps experts improve the methods of evaluation and parametric interaction. Regarding the proposals for intervention, it will be attempted through this logic, to work and research inside a controlled space monitored by experts, to minimize the damage of architectural assets during an intervention of restoration. This research requires to stimulate the process of digitalization by the creation of advanced 3D models with multidisciplinary information and data. Its focus is to create accessible database of materials and their mechanical parameters, building scripts.

The Mw 6.4 earthquake that occurred near the city of Durres, located on the west coast of Albania, may be considered small in comparison to the design earthquake, yet it caused an enormous amount of damage to buildings. Fifty-one people died, approximately 3,000 were injured and between 5,000 and 14,000 people needed shelter. The paper presents observations of damaged buildings. Although there are many examples of building collapse and damage due to well-understood critical structural weaknesses, most damage appears to be caused by the incompatible combination of flexible frame structures then infilled with brittle clay hollow-brick and plastered walls. These walls suffered in-plane damage from lateral deformation and were mostly unrestrained from face-load collapse. These non-structural elements, as well as many interior partitions of the same material, dominated structural behaviour. In order to achieve more resilient buildings in the future, local engineers will need to re-evaluate especially two aspects of their current design approaches that cause excessive lateral flexibility; namely, moment frames without beams other than those within the depth of floor slabs, and the irregular orientation of rectangular columns that leads to many columns bending about their weak axis. Engineers will also need to work closely with architects to avoid future damage to infills and partitions

In Albania, as a country with high seismic risk, seismic design and assessment of structures is very important. In most cases, the seismic design situation is crucial in structural solution and in the dimensions of elements. In addition to designing new structures seismic assessment of existing structures is an ever-increasing need due to the existence of old structures built with design codes that reflect knowledge and accumulated experiences up to the time of their design and construction. It can be said that in compared to 30-40 years ago, the changes in design codes are significant. The building that will be used as a case study for analyses purpose is named as type 77/11 according to the previous institute of construction. This can serve as a reference for the social masonry buildings built in the communism era before the year 1980. Before this year, the design code used was the KTP-63. The analysis will be performed with ETABS software, and for the seismic performance will be used the KTP-89 spectre and EC-8 spectre (since Albania is trying to implement this code as a national standard). For strengthening technique will be used TRM.

This study will focus on the context of Tirana's historic buildings, designed during the 1920-1929s. Selecting the object, its influence and its values in the city, structural performance, which will be further analysed and compared with the European context, Italian architecture and other known cases of these buildings. Tirana represents a very special occasion, unique in terms of intertwining Italian architectural design with Albanian motives. This feature has resulted from many political, economic and social factors of the time that fundamentally changed the way of vision and architectural conception in our capital. Since then a long time has passed, now the architecturalstructural vision of modern Tirana is changing but preserving the most valuable part and the beauty of old architecture.Referring to the buildings in the study we can say that they are "neglected" in their structural aspect. These buildings, being the main axis and the capital's identification, ...

The study includes analyses of existing school structures built with retaining unreinforced masonry, where some structural problems have been identified as a result of the degradation of masonry parameters over the years, which reduce their carrying capacity. In Albania, as a high seismic risk country, it is very important to design and evaluate anti seismic structures. From the economic point of view, there are two possibilities: their reinforcement or collapse to replace them with new structures. The possibility of choice is given to us after assessing their current situation and performance. The new and old Albanian design codes do not have established procedures for their seismic evaluation. For this reason, it is necessary to evaluate and improve the carrying capacity of these school structures projects selected in Tirana which are designed in accordance with the old codes [KTP-78, 1978; KTP-89, 1989], nowadays based on the calculation of structural Eurocodes such as EN1996, wi...

The Mw 6.4 earthquake that occurred near the city of Durres, located on the west coast of Albania, may be considered small in comparison to the design earthquake, yet it caused an enormous amount of damage to buildings. Fifty-one people died, approximately 3,000 were injured and between 5,000 and 14,000 people needed shelter.
The paper presents observations of damaged buildings. Although there are many examples of building collapse and damage due to well-understood critical structural weaknesses, most damage appears to be caused by the incompatible combination of flexible frame structures then infilled with brittle clay hollow-brick and plastered walls. These walls suffered in-plane damage from lateral deformation and were mostly unrestrained from face-load collapse. These non-structural elements, as well as many interior partitions of the same material, dominated structural behavior.
In order to achieve more resilient buildings in the future, local engineers will need to re-evaluate especially two aspects of their current design approaches that cause excessive lateral flexibility; namely, moment frames without beams other than those within the depth of floor slabs, and the irregular orientation of rectangular columns that leads to many columns bending about their weak axis. Engineers will also need to work closely with architects to avoid future damage to infills and partitions.

This paper presents case study of a 6-storey reinforced concrete (RC) frame building which was severely damaged in the November 26, 2019 Albania earthquake. The building was constructed in 2015 and is located in the seaside area of Durres, the city which was most affected by the earthquake. The structure was designed according to the 1989 Albanian seismic design code KTP-89/2. The most prominent problem in this building is the soft-story irregularity. The authors performed a nonlinear static (pushover) analysis of the structure to simulate its seismic behavior and identify the causes of damage and collapse. The analysis was based on the Eurocode 8 requirements. 
ISBN 978-86-7518-212-2 (GF)

The settlement of Derviçan are located next to the important urban center of Gjirokastra, a world heritage of UNESCO. Derviçan is the biggest village in the area and has served as an administrative center for many years. Due to massive emigration and migration trends in the past, there are many abandoned houses which have distinct architectural characteristics and reflect cultural and historical values. The villages that have been abandoned in the recent decades, constitute a serious problem which is all too common in many Balkan countries. As a result, many buildings are in a degraded state, both architectural and structural.
The aim of this paper is to examine the problems in Derviçan’s traditional houses and their structures, and to make a technical assessment of the damages prior to a structural repairing strategy in a second phase.
This study will focus on the analysis of old houses and their structures, built with unreinforced traditional masonry, where a lot of problems have been identified as a result of the degradation of material parameters over the years. Initially, there is a need for a detailed analysis of the typology of buildings in this area, and the construction of traditional stone walls and stone tiles without mortar.
After this identification, a matrix will be created with façade and structural damages. The typical damages are cracks in the walls, carvings between the windows, corner damage, wall displacements, and water infiltration and insects. The methodology chosen for this particular context assesses the typical collapse mechanisms. This procedure is also useful to define the seismic vulnerability for other similar regions.

The study below presents the main results of numerical analyzes, performed to assess the seismic response of an existing building, with brick masonry, type 77/5. This building is part of the group of 4-5 residential buildings, built in the years 1975-1990, considered as a “TYPE”, each of which was used many times for identical buildings. This project is the result of a collective work of the Design Institute, approved by the Ministry of Construction of that time, and of course, manifests the time limitations and shortcomings. While these 5-story buildings cover a significant percentage of residential buildings, the fundamental question is: “Are these buildings safe under seismic action, while so many families are accommodated on them?” This question stems from the following limitation: - The 77/5 plan derives from regular forms, based on the recommendations of Eurocode 8 [4.2.3.2], p.48, and KTP.N.2-89 (Technical Design Conditions), published by the Academy of Sciences of Albania. -...

The aim of this study is to develop a detailed methodology which can serve as a manual for addressing the issue of restoration, as well as addressing the issue of structural analysis of cultural heritage with the principles and international charters on restoration. Theoretical analyzes and interpretations of the architectural solutions of the period will be developed. The main goal is to treat the complicated modeling of buildings of the past, using the building information modeling methodology as a tool that helps us improve the methods of evaluation and parametric interaction. Regarding the proposals for intervention, it will be attempted through this methodology, to create a controlled space monitored by experts, to prevent damage to architectural assets during restoration. The study will be carried out through theoretical approaches initially and literature research, while later the methodology will take shape through the treatment of some cases of studies, which have not been previously studied in this specific context. The Albanian context has shown a lack of cooperation in a team of experts or governments have made this contribution even more fragile. To achieve this goal, the right atmosphere of cooperation between experts must be created, to consider their diverse perspectives. On the other hand, this research aims to raise awareness of Tirana's cultural heritage past by fostering a debate on cultural heritage and its future within a structured heritage framework. The study tends to stimulate the process of digitalization by creation of 3d models including BIM, in such a way as to create accessible database of materials, elements, combined architectural and structural models, database for additions and retrofitting’s.