Eurocode 8: Design of structures for earthquake resistance – Part 3: Assessment and retrofitting of buildings (EN 1998-3:2005) is a fundamental reference for the seismic evaluation of existing buildings. It provides a structured methodology for assessing the seismic performance of reinforced concrete, steel, and masonry buildings, and for designing appropriate retrofitting measures. Unlike the design of new buildings, the assessment of existing structures involves greater uncertainty due to limited documentation, potential damage history, or outdated construction practices—therefore requiring tailored safety factors, analysis procedures, and knowledge-level definitions.

The design guide provided below aims to walk users through the complete workflow of evaluating reinforced concrete buildings using ProtaStructure’s EC8 module. The system supports both strengthening of undamaged buildings and repair of earthquake-damaged structures, while ensuring compliance with Eurocode principles. Through practical tools and codified checks, ProtaStructure enables engineers to efficiently carry out performance-based assessments, select intervention strategies, and generate comprehensive evaluation reports.