Seismic vulnerability and risk assessment: case study of the historic city centre of Coimbra, Portugal

Abstract

Seismic risk evaluation of built-up areas involves analysis of the level of earthquake hazard of the region, building vulnerability and exposure. Within this approach that defines seismic risk, building vulnerability assessment assumes great importance, not only because of the obvious physical consequences in the eventual occurrence of a seismic event, but also because it is the one of the few potential aspects in which engineering research can intervene. In fact, rigorous vulnerability assessment of existing buildings and the implementation of appropriate retrofitting solutions can help to reduce the levels of physical damage, loss of life and the economic impact of future seismic events. Vulnerability studies of urban centres should be developed with the aim of identifying building fragilities and reducing seismic risk. As part of the rehabilitation of the historic city centre of Coimbra, a complete identification and inspection survey of old masonry buildings has been carried out. The main purpose of this research is to discuss vulnerability assessment methodologies, particularly those of the first level, through the proposal and development of a method previously used to determine the level of vulnerability, in the assessment of physical damage and its relationship with seismic intensity. Also presented and discussed are the strategy and

Seismic vulnerability assessment and characterisation of the buildings on Faial Island, Azores

“…The vulnerability index method is based on a combination of a typological methodology and a conventional methodology, based on observations of damage, with a statistical basis that makes it interesting as a second level methodology (Vicente et al 2010). Its applicability is recognised, since it is very interesting for vulnerability assessment of large areas.…”

“…The adopted methodology for the building vulnerability characterisation is based on the calculation of an index of vulnerability (I * v ) for each single building considering the weighted sum of 14 parameters (Vicente et al 2010) (see Table 2). Each parameter is classified into 4 classes of increasing vulnerability: A, B, C and D. Each parameter evaluates a feature that influences the seismic performance of a seismic building.…”

“…The weights were doubled for parameters P1, P2 and P3, compared to the weights proposed by Vicente et al (2010). These weights were obtained due to the approximation of the distribution of vulnerability index to a normal Gaussian curve (see Vicente 2008).…”

“…Since the vulnerability index of the Macroseismic method and GNDT II method are not evaluated in the same way, it is necessary to compare the two methods in order to calculate the relationship between the two vulnerability indexes (I v ) and (V ) (see Vicente et al 2010). Therefore, comparing the two vulnerability curves in relation to the average central value (μ D = 2.5) the relationship given in Eq.…”

Seismic performance and strengthening of traditional masonry buildings in the city centre of Coimbra

“…In this area of the city, a renewal and rehabilitation process is taking its first steps as a collaborative framework between the local authorities (city council) and the University of Coimbra [2].…”