Technological analysis of prefabricated timber-based panels for the integrated renovation of RC framed buildings

In earthquake-prone countries, the need for interventions aimed at improving both the seismic resistance and energy efficiency of the existing building stock is widely recognized, although the implementation of such interventions is currently limited by economic and technical barriers, as well as socio-cultural ones. In order to overcome these barriers, a new holistic design approach to the building renovation is strongly needed, which can result in innovative and integrated retrofitting interventions able to specifically meet the current needs of cost-effectiveness, quick installation, reduced users’ disturbance and low environmental impact. To this purpose, the use of Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) has been recently investigated as an alternative and sustainable solution to seismic strengthen the existing buildings, thanks to its high mechanical performance. In this research context, an innovative integrated (seismic-energyarchitectural) renovation technology for reinforced concrete (RC) framed buildings is currently under development within the ongoing multidisciplinary Horizon 2020 innovation project, called e-SAFE (energy and Seismic AFfordable rEnovation solutions). The proposed technology consists in the application of prefabricated timber-based panels on the existing outer walls, combining structural CLT panels (called e-CLT), equipped with innovative friction dampers for seismic energy dissipation, with non-structural wooden framed panels hosting high-performing windows (called e-PANEL). This paper illustrates a possible technical and functional application solution of this new renovation system, aimed at ensuring a correct and easy installation and operation. To this end, the proposed solution has been applied to a specific case study, i.e. a typical apartment building located in the city of Catania, in Southern Italy.