Seismic vulnerability assessment of buildings: case study of Al Khalifa district, Fatimid Cairo

Abstract

This work intends to provide seismic vulnerability analysis for a building stock in Al Khalifa District, Fatimid Cairo while focusing on the historic buildings in the area. The work represents part of an interdisciplinary study targeting the management and conservation of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The project inspects several aspects including behavior of masonry walls, structural health monitoring of selected structures, conservation studies, in addition to influence of rising ground water. In the current study, seismicity of Egypt generally and Cairo specifically is reviewed. Afterwards, large-scale seismic vulnerability is adopted to calculate the vulnerability index for buildings within the study area. Data are collected through extensive on-site surveys for more than one hundred buildings. Observed typologies are listed alongside possible mechanisms of failure. Egypt has moderate seismic hazard; however, many buildings are prone to damage due to inadequate seismic design. This leads to retrofitting requirements to reduce seismic vulnerability and adhere to imposed seismic requirements in design codes. The study is intended to understand seismic risk of buildings within study area as part of a comprehensive study. Developed vulnerability map show that many buildings are prone to damage during seismic events.Article HighlightsSeismic vulnerability of building samples in a study area within Old Cairo is assessed and presented in the form of a vulnerability map.Structural characteristics of buildings are detailed and investigated.Signs of deterioration are analyzed, and mechanisms of failure are featured.