Practical procedure to assess the expected consequences of earthquakes on buildings

Abstract

The paper presents the last development of a ready-to-use procedure for the risk assessment of the consequences of seismic attacks on a r/c building. The procedure involves a process of knowledge acquisition and definition. The seismic hazard at the site is defined within the context of the national zoning or through specific studies at the site. The vulnerability of the structure is evaluated according to a multi-scenario view. The characterization of the damage scenarios is based on the extension of damage. Different damage states are defined for the structural elements, the non structural elements and the contents. A section of the procedure is devoted to evaluate the consequences on the occupants. The quantification of risk is based on the evaluation of the expected economic consequences that takes into account the collapse extension of structural and non-structural elements. A risk index expressed in terms of probability of expected losses in the building lifetime is determined.