Loss Estimation of Reinforced Concrete Buildings Considering Aftershock Hazards

Abstract

Current seismic performance methodologies such as FEMA P-58 already have the ability to estimate the direct loss and indirect loss of buildings due to earthquakes using performance based earthquake engineering (PBEE). However, earthquake aftershocks, which have the potential to cause additional damage to buildings, are still not considered in these methodologies. On the other hand, previous seismic performance assessment considering aftershocks cannot account for various post-quake decisions (e.g. evacuation, safety evaluation, and repair), and have been based on simplified models which do not have the capacity to simulate many details. In this study, the effects of aftershocks and post-quake decisions on seismic performance are discussed, and an assessment methodology in accordance with other PBEE based methods that also has the ability to consider aftershocks was developed. As a case study, two reinforced concrete frame buildings are adopted for loss estimation using the proposed method. Eighteen near-fault and 60 far-field recorded mainshock-aftershock sequences are employed in the example. The direct loss and indirect loss (downtime and fatality loss) were investigated and show that significant difference may occur in seismic performance when comparing the scenario with and without considering aftershocks.

Effect of Aftershocks on Seismic Fragilities of Single-Story Masonry Structures

“…Zhao et al [19] studied the influence of aftershocks on the seismic fragility of nuclear power plants, the results showed that aftershocks cause additional damage to the structure, leading to a significant increase in the PE values of different damage limit states. Han et al [20] conducted seismic loss estimation of structures using RC frame buildings as a case study and the recorded mainshock-aftershock sequences as the ground motion input. It was concluded that aftershocks increase economic losses and casualties and, to some extent, structural repair costs.…”

Seismic fragility analysis of continuous bridges with UDCMEJ under the excitation of seismic sequence

“…Nowadays, seismic fragility has become a critical and integrated part of the performance-based earthquake engineering (PBEE) framework. To integrate aftershocks into risk analysis, DesRoches developed a framework for aftershock fragility assessment of damaged structures that can account for the damage accumulation [16]. In this paper, the fragility analysis of bridges equipped with UDCMEJ under excitation of seismic sequence is conducted on a continuous girder bridge.…”

Performance-Based Engineering for Evaluation and Retrofitting Non-Ductile Reinforced Concrete Buildings Incorporating Aftershock Hazard

“…They also have higher expected repair cost for the damage induced by potential earthquakes than their counterparts built per modern codes (Liel and Deierlein 2008). Besides, it has been found that earthquakes aftershocks may cause more damage, higher seismic risks, and addition loss to these buildings (Han, et al 2014a,b;Han, et al 2015). Therefore, approaches to mitigate their seismic risk must be determined and applied.…”