Simplified framework for loss-assessment and effectiveness of strengthening interventions

The high seismic vulnerability of existing buildings in the Mediterranean area commonly has detrimental effects in terms of injuries, fatalities and economic losses. This has been remarked by recent earthquakes resulting in huge losses that may affect the resilience of entire regions. In this context, having reliable tools to assess seismic losses at regional scale can be very useful to have accurate loss-assessment, assess the benefits of strengthening interventions and plan investment in the seismic strengthening of building portfolios. In this context, this research paper presents the recent PBEE-based framework implemented in the Matlab® environment for simplified loss-assessment of existing RC buildings at regional scale. It is a mechanically based approach relying on non-linear time history (NLTHs) of multi-degree of freedom systems to assess the engineering-demand parameters (story shear, drift and floor accelerations). The hysteretic response implemented in the algorithm have been calibrated and validated on full-scale tests on multi-stories infilled RC frames tested under pseudo-dynamic loading protocols. A component-based approach is used to assess seismic losses and the benefit of strengthening interventions in terms of reduction of direct losses on structural and non-structural components. The results of preliminary analysis on a dataset of RC buildings typical of the Italian construction standard is presented and discussed in terms of expected annual losses and the benefits in the use of minimal invasive FRP strengthening interventions.