Damage Index Seismic Assessment Methodologies of URM Buildings: A State-of-the-Art Review

This paper is written to review the previous studies of developing Damage Indices (DI) for Unreinforced Masonry (URM) Buildings. DI was designed to provide a critical indicator of damage states (DS), seismic vulnerability, and structural occupancy of buildings. DI approaches with simplified assessment methods to predict seismic vulnerability of URM structures are presented in this review, with the pros and cons of each assessment method are highlighted to propose an ideal methodology in using DI assessment.  Thus, this paper is intended to provide a comprehensive information related to the state-of-the-art of DI methodology that can be used to seismically assess of URM buildings

Evaluating the Interdependencies of Infrastructure Critical Systems during Earthquake Event: A Case Study for Padang City

Our modern society is becoming increasingly reliant on transportation networks, as well as the interdependent infrastructures and technologies that interact with them. The increasing complexity and interconnectedness of infrastructure networks make them susceptible to impact not only directly from external shocks but also indirectly from the failure of dependent infrastructures. This research study was conducted in Padang city, one of the most disaster-prone areas in Indonesia. Based on the literature review, it is no doubt that research study on seismic risk assessment is insufficient and outdated. In fact, a study about the interdependency between Critical Infrastructures (CIs) is yet to be done in this region. In this study, there are two approaches used for data gathering which is by surveying existing CIs using Google Earth and by an online questionnaire survey via Google Form. Based on the qualitative survey, a functionality rating method is done to obtain the level of outage/loss functionality which is an indicator for the damage occurred to the structure and infrastructure. Following that, a seismic risk analysis was conducted to assess the interdependency between investigated CIs and facilities. Respondents’ judgement from the questionnaire were used to identify the base criticality of each critical infrastructure. Based on the qualitative survey, the level of loss in functionality for the substation and the telecommunication tower is rated as “High”, but the loss in functionality for the water supply system is rated as “Moderate”. Moreover, the findings used from the respondents’ judgements were used to establish the initial level of criticality for each vital infrastructure. According to the findings, hospitals, power substations, and communication towers all have a criticality level of “5-Vital”, while police stations and fire stations both have a “3-medium” criticality rating. Eventually, the results of this assessment of interdependence are displayed in a criticality map, which shows how the interdependency relationship affects the initial criticality of a certain upstream infrastructure. Understanding the potential consequences of infrastructure failure, especially in regard to dependent infrastructures, can help emergency response teams formulate more targeted strategies for managing risks. As a consequence of this, the resilience of the wider community is improved, which contributes toward the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable cities and communities particularly in reducing disasters and people in vulnerable situation

Assessment of Seismic Building Vulnerability Using Rapid Visual Screening Method through Web-Based Application for Malaysia

Rapid visual screening is a quick and simple approach often used by researchers to estimate the seismic vulnerability of buildings in an area. In this study, preliminary seismic vulnerability assessment of 500 buildings situated at Northern and Eastern George Town, Malaysia, was carried out by utilizing a modified FEMA-154 (2002) method that suits Malaysian conditions. Data were collected from online sources via Google Maps and Google Earth instead of traditional surveying data collection through street screening. The seismic assessment analysis of this study was based on the RVS performance score and the damage state classification for each building typology. This approach generates, for each building, a final performance score based on governing parameters such as structural resisting system, height, structural irregularities, building age, and soil type. The findings revealed the immediate need for effective seismic mitigation strategies, as 90% of the studied buildings required a further detailed analyses to pinpoint their exact seismic vulnerability performance. Most of the surveyed buildings were predicted to experience moderate-to-substantial damage, with 220 out of 500 being classed as damage state 2 (D2) and damage state 3 (D3). A GIS map, “RVS Malaysian Form-George Town Area”, was generated via ArcGIS and shared with the public to provide vital information for further research

Evaluating the Interdependencies of Infrastructure Critical Systems during Earthquake Event: A Case Study for Padang City

Our modern society is becoming increasingly reliant on transportation networks, as well as the interdependent infrastructures and technologies that interact with them. The increasing complexity and interconnectedness of infrastructure networks make them susceptible to impact not only directly from external shocks but also indirectly from the failure of dependent infrastructures. This research study was conducted in Padang city, one of the most disaster-prone areas in Indonesia. Based on the literature review, it is no doubt that research study on seismic risk assessment is insufficient and outdated. In fact, a study about the interdependency between Critical Infrastructures (CIs) is yet to be done in this region. In this study, there are two approaches used for data gathering which is by surveying existing CIs using Google Earth and by an online questionnaire survey via Google Form. Based on the qualitative survey, a functionality rating method is done to obtain the level of outage/loss functionality which is an indicator for the damage occurred to the structure and infrastructure. Following that, a seismic risk analysis was conducted to assess the interdependency between investigated CIs and facilities. Respondents’ judgement from the questionnaire were used to identify the base criticality of each critical infrastructure. Based on the qualitative survey, the level of loss in functionality for the substation and the telecommunication tower is rated as “High”, but the loss in functionality for the water supply system is rated as “Moderate”. Moreover, the findings used from the respondents’ judgements were used to establish the initial level of criticality for each vital infrastructure. According to the findings, hospitals, power substations, and communication towers all have a criticality level of “5-Vital”, while police stations and fire stations both have a “3-medium” criticality rating. Eventually, the results of this assessment of interdependence are displayed in a criticality map, which shows how the interdependency relationship affects the initial criticality of a certain upstream infrastructure. Understanding the potential consequences of infrastructure failure, especially in regard to dependent infrastructures, can help emergency response teams formulate more targeted strategies for managing risks. As a consequence of this, the resilience of the wider community is improved, which contributes toward the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11: Sustainable cities and communities particularly in reducing disasters and people in vulnerable situation