Assessment of the effects of strong earthquakes on the city of Plovdiv

Abstract

The assessment of the effects of strong earthquakes is based on procedures for integrating the seismic hazard and the seismic vulnerability of the load-bearing structures of the building stock. The analyses are made for seismic excitation, determined by the analysis of seismic hazard - a deterministic earthquake scenario (expressed in macroseismic intensity). The scenario takes into account the effects of soil amplification, using the geotechnical information for the considered urban area. Based on the collected information about the building stock and the performed analysis, an assessment of the direct damages and destructions is obtained. The distribution of the buildings is graphically presented, respectively by number and by total built-up area, at different degrees of damage. Economic losses are calculated based on the results obtained for damage and destruction in three main groups of buildings. The main task of this study is to quantify the effects of strong earthquakes for the city of Plovdiv based on an accurate assessment of seismic hazard. This information will enable the municipal administration to make informed management decisions about planning of rescue equipment and people, hospital beds, shelter for the homeless people and financial resources to restore the damaged buildings.