Seismic vulnerability functions of multi-storey buildings: estimation and applications

Abstract

Seismic vulnerability functions of structural systems are presented as expressions relating earthquake intensities with quantitative measures of their probable consequences on the performance of those systems. The consequences considered include direct and indirect costs of structural and non-structural damage, either for the condition of system survival or for the possibilities of partial or total collapse. A review is presented of recent efforts towards the development of these functions for multi-storey building systems and for their application in life-cycle optimization studies for the establishment of target safety levels and the corresponding seismic design criteria. Special attention is given to the evaluation of system reliability with respect to the ultimate capacity (collapse) failure mode. Results are presented of some studies about the time-dependent process of damage accumulation and reliability evolution in building frames, as well as of the optimum design criteria and maintenance strategies for structural frames with hysteretic energy-dissipating devices.