A Proposed Rapid Visual Screening Procedure for Developing Countries

Abstract

Many earthquakes in the past had shown that major damage to structures took place in the absence of proper design, construction, and quality control. Based on the extent of damages caused by earlier earthquakes and the building vulnerability parameters that has caused the damages, a statistical analysis was carried out to develop a vulnerability score sheet. In this score sheet, a vulnerability score is computed considering building attributes such as soft storey, substantial overhang, re-entrant corners, the age of buildings, apparent material and construction quality, eccentric staircase location with respect to building plan, maintenance, soil type and a number of storeys. This score sheet will be a very helpful technique for assessing huge building stocks.