Framework for Multihazard Risk Assessment and Mitigation for Wood-Frame Residential Construction

Wood-frame residential construction represents a major investment in the United States, which, when exposed to hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural hazards, may sustain substantial damage. Although in many parts of the country one natural hazard dominates, in certain areas multiple hazards may pose a significant threat to buildings. Building design and construction practices should address the overall risk to residential construction from multiple hazards to achieve design strategies and risk levels that are consistent with occupant expectations and social objectives. This paper presents a framework for multihazard risk assessment using hurricane and earthquake hazards as an example. Structural reliability-based methods that describe natural hazard and structural system response probabilistically are essential for quantifying expected losses from natural disasters and for developing appropriate strategies to manage risk. The framework permits the main sources of uncertainty that affect building performance to be identified, and provides insight on strategies for effective multihazard mitigation efforts.