The main focus of the rehabilitation and seismic strengthening project for the main building of Quinta do Espírito Santo was the preservation of the existing structures, particularly the preservation of murals inspired by neoclassical models.

The inspection and diagnosis actions carried out on site allowed us to characterize its structural system, having found front walls with Saint Andrew’s crosses, typical of pombaline construction post-earthquake 1755.

In selecting the best seismic strengthening to be implemented in the building, specific structural analysis programs were used for seismic analysis.

In the end, the analyses undertaken made it possible to validate a seismic strengthening project with the least possible impact on the building that preserved the existing mural paintings.

Photograph: NCREP, STB