Seismic assessment of Romanian Orthodox masonry churches in the Banat area through a multi-level analysis framework.

• The seismic risk assessment of typical historical masonry churches located in the Banat region, Romania, through multilevel analysis procedures is presented. • By selecting six churches in this area, territorial scale assessments are carried out by means of LV0 and LV1 methods recommended by Italian code. • In a second step, local (LV2) and global (LV3) numerical analyses are performed on one representative church with the aim of identifying possible collapse mechanisms. • The LV2 method is applied by following a computational kinematic limit analysis approach. • In the LV3 method, modal linear and non-linear static analyses are carried out on a global finite element model. This paper aims to show some results of seismic assessment of Romanian Orthodox existing masonry churches, by extending the multi-level approach proposed by the Italian directive for seismic risk evaluation of cultural heritage. To this scope, a sample of six existing churches is examined, belonging to a church typology characterized by a single vaulted nave and a bell tower incorporated into the main façade. All churches considered in this study are located in the Banat region, which is an area with a medium–high seismic hazard. Firstly, territorial Level of Valuations (LV0 and LV1) are conducted on the churches sample examined. Afterwards, local (LV2) and global (LV3) valuations are performed on a case study, the Învierea Domnului church, assumed representative of all the churches sample under consideration. In particular, local analyses are performed on some church architectural portions with the kinematic limit analysis. Whereas, global analyses are conducted with non-linear push-over approach. Comments and comparisons of the obtained results are reported for each LV examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]