Estimating building inventory for rapid seismic vulnerability assessment: Towards an integrated approach based on multi-source imaging

Abstract

We propose an integrated approach to estimating building inventory for seismic vulnerability assessment, which can be applied to different urban environments and be efficiently scaled depending on the desired level of detail. The approach employs a novel multi-source method for evaluating structural vulnerability-related building features based on satellite remote sensing and ground-based omnidirectional imaging. It aims to provide a comparatively cost-and time-efficient way of inventory data capturing over large areas. The latest image processing algorithms and computer vision techniques are used on multiple imaging sources within the framework of an integrated sampling scheme, where each imaging source and technique is used to infer specific, scale-dependent information. Globally available low-cost data sources are preferred and the tools are being developed on an open-source basis to allow for a high degree of transferability and usability. An easily deployable omnidirectional camera-system is introduced for ground-based datacapturing. After a general description of the approach and the developed tools and techniques, preliminary results from a first application to our study area, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, are presented.

One step back for a leap forward: toward operational measurements of elements at risk

“…In contrast to that, e.g., Borfecchia et al (2010), and Geiß et al (2014Geiß et al ( , 2015 combine limited in situ ground truth building inventory data with features from remote sensing and use techniques of statistical inference for a complete labelling of the residual building inventory according to relevant vulnerability levels. Similar methodological principles were exploited by Wieland et al (2012), Pittore and Wieland (2013), and Geiß et al (2016) to assess seismic vulnerability on an aggregated spatial level to allow for covering larger areas.…”

Open space suitability analysis for emergency shelter after an earthquake

“…Taubenböck and Strunz (2013) provide a conceptual framework for some of the pertinent questions of earthquake risk reduction using remote sensing. Thus high-resolution satellite imagery together with improved semi-automatic (object-oriented) feature extraction tools offer wide applications (e.g., Wieland et al, 2012). Likewise, local governments often do see a benefit in establishing and maintaining spatial databases which then can be used firsthand.…”

“…(c) The proposed methodology relies on detailed geospatial data which are prone to be outdated, fragmented, and limited in detail. Users have to identify the most comprehensive data set or make use of promising data capturing tools available (e.g., Pittore and Wieland, 2013;Wieland et al, 2012). (d) The road network is considered a fully functional relational network, the potential failure/disruption of accessibility due to debris cover or damages.…”

Extensive Exposure Mapping in Urban Areas through Deep Analysis of Street-Level Pictures for Floor Count Determination

“…Other complex methods take advantage of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sources and their typical side-view geometry in order to retrieve heights [10][11][12]. Even better results can be obtained by combining remotely sensed data with a sample of street-level pictures in a stratified sampling approach within a probabilistic framework [13]. The previously mentioned methods may in principle achieve high accuracies, but they suffer from two major problems: expensive input data, and complexity of analysis in less-than-trivial cases.…”