Innovative Multi-Site Assessment of Sustainable Integrated Seismic and Energy Retrofit Solutions for Mediterranean Buildings

Much of the existing Mediterranean building stock was constructed before the introduction of modern seismic and energy-performance standards and therefore requires sustainable rehabilitation addressing both structural vulnerability and poor energy efficiency. Moreover, the marked variability in seismic hazard and climatic conditions across the region calls for assessment methods capable of evaluating retrofit effectiveness under different environmental conditions. This study introduces a multi-site assessment framework for evaluating integrated seismic and energy retrofit solutions, including passive control systems—tuned mass damper, tuned mass damper inerter and base isolation—integrated with energy-oriented interventions, employed at roof or ground level, aimed at improving envelope performance or providing on-site renewable energy generation. The framework is applied to a representative three-story reinforced-concrete residential building with masonry infill walls and no thermal insulation, considering three Mediterranean sites with different seismic and climatic conditions. The structural response is simulated through a nonlinear finite element model employing lumped plasticity hinges for reinforced concrete members and infill walls. Dynamic building energy analyses are performed through simulations by means of the transfer function method, with hourly time steps and typical meteorological year. The structural and energy responses are synthesized through properly defined integrated performance indicators, which allow for comparative assessment of alternative retrofit strategies according to different design priorities. The results show that retrofit effectiveness is site-dependent. Base isolation provides the greatest structural improvement, whereas the performance of roof-level control systems varies with seismic hazard and spectral characteristics. From an energy perspective, cool roofs, green roofs and insulated ground-floor slabs modify heating and cooling demands by improving specific components of the building envelope but provide only moderate reductions in overall primary energy consumption. Conversely, photovoltaic roofs generate on-site renewable electricity and produce the best energy performance. The tuned mass damper inerter configuration combined with a photovoltaic roof achieves the most favorable integrated performance when equal importance is assigned to structural and energy objectives. The proposed framework supports the development of holistic, regionally adaptable strategies aimed at enhancing the safety, sustainability and efficiency of Mediterranean buildings.