Considerations on the assessment of macroseismic intensity

Following a brief overview on the main characteristics of MCS (1930; the most employed in Italy), MSK
(1981) and EMS (1992) macroseismic scales, considerations on their validity to underline the severity of damage
on buildings are reported and discussed. Observations carried out on damage related to recent Italian
earthquakes show that the seismic behaviour of buildings does not fit that provided by the scales, particularly
with regard to the relationship <<vulnerability class vs. building type>>.