Vulnerability Assessment of Buildings through Rapid Visual Survey

Abstract

This paper presents a methodology to predict the qualitative seismic vulnerability of buildings based on a number of structural parameters determined on the basis of engineering knowledge and observations through rapid visual survey (RVS). It’s better to evaluate earthquake damage in a probabilistic way due to the uncertainty in occurrence of earthquake and respective structural response. Again, detailed seismic vulnerability evaluation is a technically complex and expensive procedure and can be applied on a very few number of buildings. Therefore, Rapid Visual Survey (RVS) can be much more effective to rapidly evaluate the vulnerability profile of different types of buildings, so that more complex procedures can be applied to the most critical buildings. The formats to evaluate score of R.C.C. and masonry structure are discussed. Further analytical study can be carried out to prepare risk maps for better disaster mitigation strategy. As RVS is the first stage for Seismic vulnerability assessment of the building, after that preliminary and detailed survey can be carried out. Base on the method discussed in this paper vulnerability assessment was carried out for Gandhidham city.