Rapid Earthquake Loss Assessment Model for Algerian Building Context

Abstract eng:
Algeria is one of the countries that have experienced several strong to moderate earthquakes during the last decades. The experience of these events showed that the elaboration of adequate intervention measures was done after the first in situ inspections, which may take long time to provide information and therefore decreases the chance to find survivors. This delay is due to the lack of different means to locate quickly, at the early hours, the affected areas and due also to the uncertain alarm level to be given. In order to enhance the rapid response and emergency operation, disaster mitigation measures can be done. The present work consists on a development of an integrated rapid earthquake loss assessment model. The main motivation through this development is the ability to estimate the probable seismic damage and their spatial distribution in an affected area by a potential earthquake, according to the existing building context in Algeria. This framework based on the Algerian building seismic damage assessment approach is integrated in a data-processing code developed for this purpose. In the implementation of this framework, a Geographical Information System (GIS) is used. The elaborated concept allows the automation of calculation and the quick data treatment with the generation of the seismic damage maps. It is used, in one hand, to make a predictive estimating of the earthquake damage which can occur in an urban area subjected to the seismic risk, through a probable earthquake scenario, enabling to take the adequate preventive measures. In the other hand, it can be used to give in real time, an estimating of the post-seismic damage, after a disaster occurrence, once the epicentre localised and the magnitude known, as it allows a quick survey of the disaster extends in the more affected areas, which would help to know the level of alarm to be given and the necessary emergency facilities to be mobilised. This model arises as a decision-making tool which constitutes a contribution in the urban planning field and crisis management in Algeria. A case study of the implementation of the developed model in the urban centre of Blida city is presented.

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