Determining the regional disaster risk analysis of buildings in Erzincan

Abstract

Erzincan is located in a region sensitive to seismic activities, which can destroy buildings and lead to loss of life because of severe earthquakes. Furthermore, analysing and determining structural risks is important because it reduces possible disaster risks and provides mitigation strategies. This study aims to assess the seismic vulnerability of existing buildings in Erzincan using a rapid visual screening method and create a regional-scale inventory. Furthermore, 490 residential reinforced concrete buildings in five neighbourhoods were analysed using a street scanning method (first-level evaluation) developed by METU, and maps were created using the ArcGIS program. The results revealed that poor construction quality, soft ground, and heavy overhang are the main vulnerability parameters that change the risk priority range of reinforced concrete residential buildings. Conversely, poor construction quality affected most first-priority buildings. Therefore, there is a need for effective seismic mitigation planning for Erzincan, as 49 % of buildings in the surveyed neighbourhoods required a second-stage assessment. In addition, the method ranks the buildings according to their risk priorities, and the obtained data on the map provided useful information for effective strategies for implementing risk reduction policies in Erzincan.