Vulnerability Assessment in Educational Buildings–Inference of Earthquake Risk. A Methodology Based on School Damage in the July 9, 1998, Faial Earthquake in the Azores

Abstract eng:
On July 9, 1998, an earthquake M6.2 struck Faial, Pico and São Jorge islands in the Azores archipelago, leading to 8 human casualties. In Faial Island, about 2000 buildings, mostly single-family housing units, were partially destroyed or completely collapsed; thousands of inhabitants were made homeless. The use of school buildings for temporary housing was, nevertheless, possible, due to the lesser extent of damage in some of Faial’s schools. Vulnerability assessment of school buildings was performed using a methodology based on the works of Giovinazzi and Lagomarsino and a comparison is presented between observed (in 1998) and predicted building damage. This methodology was aimed at the estimation of MDG (Mean Damage Grade) as a cross function of vulnerability and intensity. The original procedure was extended to the prediction of the effects on post-earthquake school use (possibility of immediate use, duration of repair and retrofitting works and demolition) and human losses. This extension was based on information collected in 1998. This modified seismic vulnerability assessment methodology was also used for the prospective building damage assessment for different earthquake scenarios. The possibilities of using such results for the definition of retrofitting and land use policies are also presented.

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