Post-earthquake seismic assessment of residential buildings following Sarpol-e Zahab (Iran) earthquake (Mw7.3) – Part 2: Seismic vulnerability curves using quantitative damage index

Abstract

One of the most crucial steps in disaster management and decision-making is a quick and reliable seismic evaluation of structures following an earthquake. Vulnerability curves, which relate the earthquake intensity measure to damage states, are key terms in performing post-earthquake assessments. In most previous research, empirical vulnerability curves were roughly developed using qualitative criteria. Current research proposes a novel damage index based on the suggested damage states resulting from field investigation of more than 81 damaged steel and RC buildings after the Sarpol-e Zahab (Iran) earthquake. The proposed damage index provides relatively precise information about damaged buildings. Then, using the spectral acceleration derived from the conditional ground motion intensity and the proposed damage index, empirical vulnerability curves are generated for RC and steel buildings and non-structural walls. The developed empirical vulnerability curves are valuable due to the lack of similar field studies on damaged buildings under severe earthquakes and are consistent with common practice of construction in Iran. Past earthquakes' data can be used in seismic risk assessment and planning for mitigation of losses in the future.