Structural Survey and Empirical Seismic Vulnerability Assessment of Churches in the Historical Center of Cusco

The seismic vulnerability assessment of buildings represents a fundamental step for seismic risk prevention and mitigation, especially in seismic-prone areas where severe damage scenarios are expected or where valuable assets are present. The city of Cusco, whose historic center has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983, has a long list of seismic events that caused extensive damage. Being part of the international heritage, churches are characterized by great architectural and cultural value, and their preservation is crucial. In this paper, the seismic vulnerability assessment of churches within the historic center of Cusco is presented. The assessment is made through a two-step process. First, data on churches are collected with a structural survey at the urban scale. Second, collected data are used to determine the seismic vulnerability with an empirical method that combines field observations and engineering judgments. The most vulnerable churches in the city center are identified, and their primary structural deficiencies are determined through this process.