Seismic Risk Scenarios for Mérida, Venezuela

Abstract eng:
This paper presents a seismic risk assessment on the buildings of Mérida, Venezuela. It consists of a global hazard and vulnerability evaluation. The tectonic frameworks as well as the seismogenic zones are taken from other investigations. Zonified Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analyses from other studies are used in the hazard model, selecting the performance based seismic design extreme events, i.e. frequent (Ms = 5.35; PGA = 0.15; I (EMS) = VI-VII), and very rare (Ms = 7.65; PGA = 0.45; I (EMS) = X) scenario events. The ground motion parameters are estimated by means of a specially attenuation law for western Venezuela. PGA’s are used for a number of representative site response analyses. The obtained maximum amplification periods and the corresponding amplification factors are used to carry out a microzonation of the Mérida plateau. Possible induced effects such as liquefaction and landsliding are estimated by the HAZUS® Earthquake Loss Estimation Methodology. The vulnerability of the buildings is assessed through a Building Typology Matrix based method (RISK-UE LM1), where in the case of Mérida a specific Typology Matrix is obtained. This approach provides Damage Probability Matrices for each of the scenario events and typologies, where expected damage distribution may be estimated. The seismic vulnerability of the city is high. For the frequent event the mean damage grades are Grade 0 and Grade 1, on the other hand, for the very rare event mean damage grades are Grade 3 and Grade 4. GIS ArcView® software is used to display damage and risk scenarios.

• Export as: BibTeX | MARC | MARCXML | DC | EndNote | NLM | RefWorks
• Add to your basket