Seismic Vulnerability Assessment Method for Vernacular Architecture Considering Uncertainty

Abstract

Built vernacular heritage embraces buildings that are not designed by specialists, but are part of a process that involves many people over many generations and relies on empirical knowledge. Its value as a key-element for cultural identity is unquestionable. However, precisely due to its empirical and traditional nature, it is often seen as an obsolete and unsafe way of construction, which leads to its progressive abandonment. This lack of proper construction details and poor maintenance increases the seismic vulnerability of the vernacular heritage. There is an evident need for simplified easy-to-use seismic vulnerability assessment methods for vernacular architecture, given the generalized lack of resources that can be normally assigned to its study and preservation. Most of the times, visual inspection will be the only tool available to carry out the assessment. Nevertheless, simplified methods demand a deep understanding of the seismic behavior of vernacular architecture. This is a complex task given the great heterogeneity in the geometrical, structural, construction and material characteristics of vernacular buildings. The present works explores the development of a probabilistic method for the analytical derivation of seismic fragility functions of vernacular buildings considering uncertainty in material parameters and structural characteristics. The procedure followed to investigate the effect of uncertainty and to evaluate the influence of a set of key parameters on the seismic response of vernacular buildings is based on stochastic analysis. In the end, a simplified numerical tool is proposed which can be applied based on visual inspection. The process applied and shown here is considered as an example of application and can be replicated in other contexts. It ultimately intends to extend the applicability and reliability of current seismic vulnerability assessment methods.

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