Optimization of Empirical Seismic Vulnerability Assessment for Masonry Buildings Following Nonlinear Analysis

Abstract

Timisoara is the most important city located in Banat seismic area, characterized by shallow earthquakes of crustal type and was selected to be European Capital of Culture 2021. The majority of the historical buildings are made in masonry, with masonry vaults and wooden floors. First part of the paper presents a quick and simplified empirical methodology based on European studies. The second part presents a detailed mechanical nonlinear analysis obtained for some of the most important historical buildings in Timisoara, based on complete survey and site inspection. Moreover, the authors present a direct correlation between the empirical and the mechanical seismic vulnerabilities. In the end, based on the correlation results, there is presented the proposed empirical seismic vulnerability assessment methodology for the nearfield events. The methodology considers the specific failure mechanism for buildings with same characteristics and the particularities of Banat seismic area. The proposed methodology aims to adapt the quick and simplified empirical methodology to the near-field earthquakes effects. This could serve for quick and simplified assessment of seismic vulnerability for any building with similar mechanical, geometrical, architectural and urbanistic characteristics as the case study buildings, in areas with earthquakes similar to those specific to Banat seismic area. This kind of study could provide a better knowledge for the local authorities, helping them to develop or improve earthquake mitigation plan and to define new earthquake engineering design recommendations.