Conclusion

With regard to seismic deterioration and the pathologies of earthen architecture, research that has identified seismic damage typologies and linked them to the causes and intensity of ground movement (vulnerability analyses) is an important tool for developing effective means of seismic mitigation. Although the building materials described in the scientific literature often differ from earthen construction materials (i.e. stone or fired brick), their seismic performance is often very similar. As a result, this research is generally very useful for gaining a better understanding of the seismic behavior of earthen constructions, their deterioration typology and their pathologies. Following violent earthquakes at the start of the 21st century in Iran (Bam, December 2003) and Morocco (Al-Hoceima, 2004), which affected the country's cultural heritage and vernacular earthen dwellings, this research...