ObSerVation · Optimization of Seismic Structural Health Monitoring Systems Based on Value of Information Analysis

Infrastructure systems such as bridges and critical buildings are integral to modern society and play a decisive role in a nation’s economic, social, and strategic stability. Considering Europe’s aging infrastructure, much of it exposed to significant seismic hazard and maintained under constrained budgets, effective and science-driven integrity management solutions are urgently needed. Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems can enhance decision-making by reducing uncertainties in both structural capacity and seismic demand. This project will develop an advanced, updatable Decision Support Tool (DST) for the optimal design and implementation of SHM systems for structures and portfolios in seismic-prone regions. The DST will build on the Value of Information (VoI) framework, integrating enhanced models of structural capacity that account for both gradual deterioration and sudden seismic damage, as well as mainshock-aftershock-aware seismic demand models. A novel stochastic ground-motion generator, informed by 3D physics-based simulations and calibrated to regional recordings, will capture source, path, and site effects while explicitly addressing aftershock-specific spectral characteristics and period elongation in damaged structures. Calibration and validation will leverage the unique datasets of the Seismic Observatory of Structures (OSS) within Italy’s Department of Civil Protection, which provides dense, multi-typology, real-time recordings of both ground motion and structural response. By combining advanced deterioration modelling, aftershock-aware hazard representation, and operational OSS datasets, the project will establish a maintainable, continuously updatable DST framework. This approach advances the state of the art in post-earthquake risk assessment, supports resilience-driven prioritization of interventions, and demonstrates tangible societal benefit by reducing economic losses, infrastructure downtime, and environmental impact. The results will directly contribute to European disaster resilience goals and to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals by strengthening the science-policy-practice interface in seismic risk management.