Controlling Parameters in the Assessment of the Seismic Vulnerability of Buildings

Abstract eng:
The probabilistic seismic risk assessment in terms of economic losses for building portfolios requires the seismic hazard assessment, the definition and characterization of the building portfolio and the estimation of the expected economic losses of specific building typologies for increasing seismic intensities. The probability distribution function of economic losses for different seismic intensities can be estimated by integration of individual building component´s repair costs. By means of Monte Carlo simulations, all relevant variables that influences the final repair cost can be introduced into the analysis. The results of the analysis are integrated and represented through specific vulnerability functions for each building typology, which relates the expected economic losses and its corresponding uncertainty measure with the seismic intensity level. The integration of losses considers the uncertainties associated with the hazard assessment, the dynamic response of the model, the expected damage level for each one of the components and the corresponding repair cost and time. Using this methodological approach, a sensitivity analysis is performed in order to identify the most relevant variables in the loss assessment process. The following main variables have been considered for the analysis: the set of seismic records which represent a particular seismological and geotechnical setting, the number of stories for the prototype building models; the seismic code level used for the design of main structural elements, the type and relative cost of non-structural components and the type of building content components. In addition, other parameters have also been considered such as the number of realizations for the Monte Carlo simulations and the consideration or not of efficiency and scaled economy to estimate repair costs and times depending on the number of simultaneous interventions that has to be performed for each damage scenario. Comparing the resulting vulnerability functions, the sensibility to usual variations in the above-mentioned variables and parameters can be established. With this, the controlling parameters for seismic vulnerability assessment of buildings are defined. In a general case, the final specification of any building vulnerability or fragility shall include as a minimum parameters such as the building typology itself, the building fundamental period of vibration, the seismic design level, and the type and relative costs of non-structural components. Additional parameters such as irregularity, overloads, type of soil deposit where it is located and the type of non-structural components should also be considered for a more detailed typological characterization.

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