This study proposes a sustainable multi-criteria optimization framework for the energy retrofit of collective residential buildings in Algeria, particularly those constructed between the 1970s and 1980s. Through on-site surveys, energy consumption analysis, and seasonal temperature measurements, the high energy demand of these buildings was confirmed. Using EnergyPlus simulations based on Meteoblue weather data, 16 retrofit strategies were assessed—incorporating various insulating materials applied internally or externally (via rendering or cladding). The ELECTRE III decision-making tool was employed, supported by the Simos Revised Framework (SRF) for weighting environmental, economic, and social criteria. Results demonstrate that all strategies significantly reduce energy demand—by up to 72.5%, with reductions reaching 94.4% in winter and 43.5% in summer, depending on insulation type and placement. Improvements in indoor thermal comfort were also observed, with exterior insulation beneath cladding offering the best performance during winter, while exterior rendering also proved effective in the summer. The ELECTRE III analysis identified rock wool and polyurethane with fiber cement cladding as optimal insulation solutions. The proposed approach supports national energy policies and aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), offering a replicable model for large-scale building retrofits in similar climatic and architectural contexts.

"The main purpose of this paper is to assess the seismic resistance of a masonry building from the Austro-Hungarian period in Sarajevo. The building is situated in Sarajevo's old Baščaršija, which is well-known for its marketplace of tiny adobe and wooden buildings from the Ottoman era. It is characterized by specific Austro-Hungarian architecture from the rebuilt Latin district next to the Miljacka River. European construction rules were created following a fire in 1879. The structure is notable for its size and design, which combines Ottoman surroundings with Austro-Hungarian influences. The original structure had two floors A business area occupied the ground floor, while residential apartments occupied the top floor of the original building, which was recorded by the Governmental Building Department in 1903. It was a typical residential rental building at the time. Later, a second level was constructed while keeping the same layout and structural elements. Typical Austro-Hungarian solid bricks from that era were used to construct the load-bearing walls, with lime mortar for the joints. Sand infill serves as fire-resistant insulation between the wooden beams and boards that form the floor structure. The original pitched roof was made of wood. Numerical modeling and nonlinear static (pushover) analysis were conducted using the 3Muri software package. The 3Muri software package, specialized in analyzing masonry structures, employs the innovative Frame by Macro Element (FME) method, enabling detailed seismic behavior analysis of walls. This paper presents detailed pushover analysis results, covering the distribution of lateral forces (uniform and static) for horizontal acceleration in the X and Y directions, considering the significant damage state for a 475-year return period. The main parameter monitored during the analysis was the vulnerability indexes. Results are presented for all walls, and wall damage was analyzed relative to the direction of seismic action, identifying walls most affected by bending or shear forces."

Terrestrial laser scanners (TLS) are widely employed in structural health monitoring (SHM) of large objects due to their superior capabilities compared to traditional geodetic methods. TLS provides rapid and detailed data on the geometric properties of objects, enabling various types of analyses. In this study, TLS was utilized to examine the minaret of the Bjelave Mosque, located in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The inclination of the minaret was assessed using principal component analysis (PCA) and linear regression (LR) applied to sampled data from four edges of the minaret’s body. The geodetically determined inclination values were used as input data for subsequent static and pushover analyses conducted in DIANA FEA, where the minaret was modeled. The analyses indicate that the inclination increases stress and strain, leading to larger cracks and reduced structural capacity, as demonstrated by the pushover analysis curves. This study highlights the combined impact of structural inclination, water infiltration, and settlement on the minaret’s integrity and proposes these findings as a basis for future maintenance and strengthening measures.

Although the influence of infill masonry on horizontal load structure behavior is well-documented, current standards and regulations have yet to fully incorporate or explicitly define the load-bearing capacity of this complex system. Canadian and American standards present more comprehensive and specific methodologies for calculating the load-bearing capacity of infill masonry and frame systems. In contrast, European standards tend to focus on offering general guidelines for the design of these systems without delving into the detailed calculation procedures. However, extensive data and experimental studies on this topic are available in the literature. The primary aim of this paper was to compile a database of experiments involving frames with different types of infill masonry. Subsequently, the empirical results obtained through the application of analytical expressions from various standards are compared to the experimental data included in the compiled database. The obtained load-bearing values were compared to different standards and work conducted by various researchers found in the literature in order to assess their reliability. Based on the obtained results, important conclusions were drawn, specifically to the most accurate equivalent diagonal model used and the analytical expressions to be used in the assessment of the masonry-infilled steel frame behavior. The equivalent diagonal model, utilized in all analytical expressions, can provide highly accurate estimations of load-bearing capacities that closely align with the experimental results. Regardless of the type of infill element, the analytical expressions consistently overestimated the load-bearing capacity. In the presence of longitudinal force, analytical expressions tend to be conservative, providing significantly lower load-bearing values compared with experimental results, which ensures a safety margin. The database can be utilized to develop numerical models, which can subsequently serve as the foundation for probabilistic methods used in conducting reliability assessments.

PurposeThe primary goal of this research is to evaluate the seismic performance of Asla Hocine Primary School, a heritage school building in Annaba, Algeria, to prevent additional damage during future earthquakes in the region. The study aims to guide decision-makers in strengthening weak parts or elements in the building, implementing preventive measures and ultimately reducing earthquake disaster risk by mitigating vulnerability.Design/methodology/approachThe research employs the 3Muri software to model the seismic behavior and structural failures of the school’s elements. An integrated multimodal pushover analysis is used to generate the non-linear capacity curve of the school to assess its seismic performance. The seismic demand is determined based on Algerian seismic regulations, with peak ground acceleration derived from a probabilistic seismic hazard analysis of Annaba city for return periods of 100, 200 and 500 years. The study develops three seismic scenarios to evaluate performance levels and expected damage probabilities.FindingsThe study reveals that the Asla Hocine Primary School faces a high risk of damage and potential collapse under the expected seismic hazard of the region. The analysis indicates variable resilience across different seismic return periods (100, 200 and 500 years), with the performance level degrading from life safety to collapse prevention and total collapse under increasing seismic intensity. This underscores the need for targeted structural analysis and potential retrofitting to enhance the building’s seismic robustness.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper encouraged to account for soil-structure interaction in similar studies, as it can significantly affect the overall seismic performance of buildings. Furthermore, conducting out-of-plane analysis when necessary can offer valuable insights into the structural behavior of specific components.Practical implicationsThe insights provided by this study contribute vital data toward conservation efforts and risk mitigation strategies for heritage structures in seismic zones. The findings are intended to guide decision-makers in implementing preventive measures and strengthening weak parts or elements in the studied school building, ultimately reducing earthquake disaster risk by mitigating vulnerability.Originality/valueThis research offers a comprehensive framework for assessing the seismic vulnerability of heritage schools using detailed modeling and analysis. It highlights the importance of considering return periods of seismic events in assessing a building’s seismic performance and provides a deeper understanding of the structural response to seismic stresses at both macrostructural and individual element levels. The study emphasizes the critical need for seismic risk assessment and targeted retrofitting to preserve cultural heritage assets and ensure their continued use.

This paper presents an in-depth analysis of the Kopčić House, a significant example of modernist architecture in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, focusing on its structural-specific features and seismic performance. The Kopčić House embodies a confined masonry structure with innovative construction features, combining load-bearing masonry walls with reinforced concrete elements. This architectural approach was pioneering for its time, combining traditional construction methods with innovative materials and techniques. Detailed analysis using numerical modeling techniques, specifically 3D modeling with the 3Muri software (Vers.14.2.0.4), was conducted to assess the seismic resilience of the structure. The analysis considered different load distributions and eccentricities to comprehensively evaluate the building’s response to lateral forces. The findings of this research reveal the structural capacity and potential vulnerabilities of the Kopčić House when subjected to seismic events. While the building demonstrates inherent strength due to its confined masonry design, areas requiring structural strengthening were identified through numerical simulations. This study contributes to the broader understanding of confined masonry construction within the context of modernist architecture. By integrating historical research with advanced structural analysis, this work aims to bridge the gap between architectural heritage and contemporary engineering practices.

The 2020 earthquakes that hit the Croatian capital city Zagreb and Petrinja revealed the (un)preparedness of the country once exposed to strong earthquake motion. Three years after, numerous buildings out of 25,000 that have been heavily damaged and destroyed still have not been reconstructed. The effect of the earthquake was felt as well in the bordering cities and towns in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH). Seismic assessment of the existing buildings in BIH is done by individual researchers and there is no defined methodology not policy for such activities. This paper aims to present the work that has been done in this field up to now and to give guidelines for the further work that needs to be conducted. The starting point was the calculation of the earthquake risk for the entire Bosnia and Herzegovina based on the rapid assessment taking into account the vulnerability of buildings, seismic hazard, and population exposure. A more detailed assessment was conducted for the three largest cities in BIH, specifically Sarajevo, Banja Luka, and Tuzla. Typical residential masonry structures were identified, and detailed calculations were conducted, leading to the need for their strengthening. To have a more detailed picture much work has to be conducted.