Seismic vulnerability of low-rise residential buildings based on damage data from three earthquakes (Mw6.5, 6.5 and 6.3). (15th March 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bessason, Bjarni; Bjarnason, Jón Örvar
• Is Part Of: Engineering structures. Volume 111(2016:Mar. 15)
• Page Start: 64
• Page End: 79
• Publication Date: 2016-03-15
• Subjects: Vulnerability assessment -- Fragility curves -- Fragility functions -- Structural damage -- Non-structural damage -- RC buildings -- Timber buildings -- Monetary loss; Structural engineering -- Periodicals; Structural analysis (Engineering) -- Periodicals; Construction, Technique de la -- Périodiques; Génie parasismique -- Périodiques; Pression du vent -- Périodiques; Earthquake engineering; Structural engineering; Wind-pressure; Periodicals; 624.105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2015.12.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0141-0296

Abstract

Highlights: The three earthquakes occurred in the same region and affected the same building typologies. In total 9500 buildings were included in the study, both damaged and undamaged. No buildings collapsed and there were no loss of life. Non-structural damage dominated the overall damage in all cases. Most of the damage occurred at 0–10 km distance from the fault rupture in the three events. Abstract: In June 2000 two Mw 6.5 earthquakes occurred in South Iceland and in May 2008 an Mw 6.3 quake struck in the same area. High PGAs (>0.6 g) were registered in all cases. The epicentres were located in an agriculture region and close to small towns and villages. Nearly 9500 residential buildings were affected. A great deal of damage occurred but there was no loss of life. Insurance against natural disasters is obligatory for all buildings in Iceland and they are all registered in a comprehensive property database. Therefore, after each quake a field survey was carried out where damage and repair costs were estimated for every structure. Most of the damage was observed in the near-fault area (0–10 km) but at longer distances it was significantly less. The damage in the two Mw 6.5 events was considerably greater than in the Mw 6.3 event. In all the events a high proportion of buildings were undamaged, even in the near-fault area. The main damage was non-structural, in interior walls and flooring. New buildings built after implementation of seismic codes performed better than those built pre-code.