A Displacement-Based Approach for Vulnerability Evaluation of Classes of Buildings

An approach for the evaluation of the vulnerability of classes of buildings is presented. The method is derived from concepts developed for the detailed analysis of existing buildings, based on an estimation of their displacement and energy dissipation capacity. The limited data normally available for loss assessment at a regional scale correspond to an equivalent uncertainty of the results, but an analytical evaluation of the response of the building, including its energy dissipation and deformation capacity, is still attempted. The results are presented in terms of probability of occurrence of each specific damage limit state for a given earthquake motion, represented through an appropriate displacement response spectrum for each building. However, the results may be considered meaningful only for a global loss estimate prediction, and should not be used to assess the response of single buildings.