Development of a uniform seismic vulnerability index framework for reinforced concrete building typology

This paper presents a uniform framework for seismic vulnerability assessment of selected reinforced concrete (RC) structures in Malaysia based on an improved seismic vulnerability index (SVI) approach. To establish the formulated framework, three stages of validation are applied to two reference buildings damaged during the 2015 Ranau seismic event in Malaysia. Throughout the first stage, field examinations for the addressed building damages (Hospital and School Buildings) are identified, and then a detailed diagnosis of physical damage elements across field visual observation has been performed. In the second stage, a transitioning progress from empirical field examination into an analytical assessment is utilized using finite element simulation to derive an improved seismic vulnerability index (SVI). This is achieved by finding the proper parameters such as beam-column joint connection; support boundary condition; horizontal diaphragm system; type of soil; ductility level; horizontal and vertical mass irregularity, and material strength. To achieve this aim, the buildings have been explicitly modeled using nonlinear parametric analysis (NL-PA) and their vulnerability groups have been categorized based on the earthquake-resistant design (ERD). The improved seismic vulnerability index is used to predict the susceptibility of the structures after performing a nonlinear parametric analysis. Eventually, using probabilistic seismic risk assessment with the compatibility of field real damage and the location of the plastic hinges in the structural members, the modeling verification process is achieved. It is concluded that the use of the new analytical vulnerability index damage indicator can be used as a guidance for earthquake impact assessments in Malaysia and can be applied uniformly to any country irrespective of the differences in construction and seismicity.