Displacement-Based Simplified Seismic Loss Assessment of Post-70s RC Buildings

Abstract

To help facilitate performance-based earthquake engineering (PBEE) in Italy, this study examines an existing reinforced concrete frame building damaged during the 2009 L'Aquila earthquake and compares direct monetary loss estimates computed via a simplified Displacement-Based Assessment (DDBA) method with those obtained using the refined PEER-PBEE approach. The considered case study is representative of a category of buildings that has undergone some level of seismic design, typical of post-70s construction in Italy, where previous buildings were largely designed for gravity loads only. The research finds that the expected annual loss predicted using the two approaches are comparable and thus DDBD could aid loss-assessment and hence reparability evaluations. Different retrofit options are examined and it is concluded that the DDBA approach could provide useful indications of the impact that retrofit can have on expected annual losses.