A simplified framework for the loss assessment of alternative seismic retrofit options of reinforced-concrete buildings

The evaluation of the seismic losses is a wide field of research involving multi-criteria methodologies, which may be complex to challenge and sound discouraging to neophytes. In this context, there is an increasing need of deriving simplified methodologies to provide tools for practitioners and decision-makers. To this aim, the paper presents a simplified time-based performance assessment method to be adopted at the conceptual design stage of the seismic retrofit of an existing concrete building. A com-prehensive method is proposed, aimed at calculating different loss terms and the benefit-cost ratio to evaluate the convenience of the intervention with respect to the initial cost of investment and the ex-pected annual losses.