Vulnerability Assessment of non-engineered houses related to earthquake in West Pasaman District

Abstract

The earthquake on February 25, 2022, in West Pasaman resulted in damage to people’s houses as well as fatalities. The quake happened just under the Mount of Talamau, 18 km northeast of the city of Simpang Empat City, with a magnitude of 5.2 M. This earthquake was followed by small earthquakes that occurred until February 27, 2022. Damage to houses in the earthquake-affected area became the focus of attention in this research to assess the housing vulnerability related to the earthquake hazard. The vulnerability assessment of house buildings is critical in earthquake-prone areas because it can provide information about the impacts on the buildings. The vulnerability of house buildings is closely related to the potential for damage due to earthquake hazards. The benefit of the vulnerability assessment of house buildings is to arrange the mitigation action plan to reduce the level of damage to building structures. The method, in turn, can reduce the number of fatalities as well. Buildings with a high level of vulnerability to earthquakes are non-engineered or residential buildings that are built without considering essential factors in planning, such as the necessary technical requirements.