Methodology for seismic risk screening of existing buildings in Canada: Non-structural component scoring system

2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 263-273
Author(s):  
W.L. Cortés-Puentes ◽  
Z. Cai ◽  
R. Fathi-Fazl
Keyword(s):  
Structural Component ◽  
Scoring System ◽  
Seismic Risk ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
National Research Council ◽  
Existing Buildings ◽  
Structural Components ◽  
Risk Screening ◽  
Threshold Score ◽  
Critical Components

The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) has recently developed a Semi-Quantitative Seismic Risk Screening Tool (SQST) to supersede the 1993 NRC Manual for Screening of Buildings for Seismic Investigation. The proposed screening tool incorporates a methodology for estimating global seismic risk of existing buildings associated with failure of their non-structural components. The methodology assesses global seismic risk using a qualitative yet comprehensive scoring system. The scoring system consists of a global non-structural component score and acceptable threshold scores. The global score is based on the most critical components. It combines a basic score with score modifiers for key parameters affecting the seismic response of non-structural components. The acceptable threshold score is based on the building’s consequence of failure, the building’s importance category, and the component factor. The scoring system is calibrated to be consistent with the seismic risk acceptance criteria previously developed for preliminary seismic risk screening of existing buildings, based on Canadian seismicity, building age, remaining occupancy time, and consequences of failure.

Semi-quantitative seismic risk screening tool for existing buildings in Canada

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Fathi-Fazl ◽  
ZHEN CAI ◽  
W. Leonardo Cortés-Puentes ◽  
Farrokh Fazileh
Keyword(s):  
Scoring System ◽  
Seismic Risk ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
National Research Council ◽  
Seismic Demand ◽  
Allocation Of Resources ◽  
Existing Buildings ◽  
Structural Components ◽  
Risk Screening ◽  
Web Based

The National Research Council Canada (NRC) recently developed a semi-quantitative seismic risk screening tool (SQST) for existing buildings in Canada. The SQST aims to supersede the Manual for Screening of Buildings for Seismic Investigation developed by NRC in the early 1990s. The SQST consists of three key components: (1) a structural scoring system that quantitatively assesses the structural seismic risk based on probability of collapse; (2) a non-structural component scoring system that qualitatively assesses the seismic risk of non-structural components based on seismic demand; and (3) a ranking procedure that prioritizes potentially hazardous buildings for seismic evaluations and possible upgrading. The SQST intends to inexpensively identify and exempt buildings with acceptable life safety risk and optimize the allocation of resources to assess the seismic risk of portfolios of buildings. Seismic screening with the SQST can be completed with either paper-based screening forms or a web-based application. The applicability of the SQST is demonstrated by conducting a pilot study for 33 existing buildings across Canada.

Methodology for seismic risk screening of existing buildings in Canada: Structural scoring system

2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 250-262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Fathi-Fazl ◽  
Zhen Cai ◽  
Eric Jacques ◽  
W. Leonardo Cortés-Puentes
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Design ◽  
Scoring System ◽  
Seismic Risk ◽  
Research Council ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
National Research Council ◽  
Existing Buildings ◽  
Risk Screening ◽  
Existing Building ◽  
Building Characteristics

The National Research Council Canada recently developed a Semi-Quantitative Seismic Risk Screening Tool (SQST) for seismic risk screening of existing buildings in Canada. This paper presents the structural scoring system that is part of the SQST. The structural scoring methodology is based on FEMA P-154, but has been substantially modified to suit Canadian seismicity and seismic design and construction practices. Structural scores are obtained by adding structural basic scores and applicable score modifiers. For an existing building, a structural basic score is determined by calculating the probability of collapse on the basis of a number of assumptions. Then a series of score modifiers are calculated to address the effects of applicable building characteristics on the building’s seismic performance. The structural score is compared with an acceptable structural threshold to determine whether the structural seismic risk is acceptable. The objective of the structural scoring system is to ensure an acceptable and consistent seismic risk in building portfolios while minimizing life safety threats.

Development of a preliminary seismic risk screening tool for existing buildings in Canada

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 (9) ◽  
pp. 717-727 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reza Fathi-Fazl ◽  
Eric Jacques ◽  
Zhen Cai ◽  
Bessam Kadhom ◽  
Bassem Saassouh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Seismic Performance ◽  
Seismic Design ◽  
Seismic Risk ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
Existing Buildings ◽  
Seismic Risk Assessment ◽  
Risk Screening ◽  
Categorization System ◽  
Remaining Time

This paper presents a preliminary seismic risk screening tool to identify buildings whose superior structural and non-structural seismic performance in regions of low seismicity can be assessed based on several key attributes. The tool is designed to exempt buildings from detailed seismic risk assessment if key exemption criteria are met. The exemption criteria are based on: a seismic categorization system linked to anticipated building damage and seismicity; whether or not the building was designed using modern seismic design provisions; and the remaining time that the building will be occupied. The tool also provides a second list of criteria, which if satisfied, will automatically trigger further detailed seismic risk assessment. The decisions rendered by the tool regarding the expected seismic performance of a building are evaluated against the next level of seismic risk screening tool to ensure the consistency. A flowchart is presented to facilitate adoption of the tool by practicing engineers and other end-users.

Benchmark NBC editions for seismic risk management of existing buildings in Canada

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Reza Fathi-Fazl ◽  
Bessam Kadhom ◽  
Zhen Cai ◽  
Farrokh Fazileh
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Seismic Risk ◽  
Model Building ◽  
National Research Council ◽  
The United States ◽  
Building Code ◽  
Existing Buildings ◽  
Design Standards ◽  
Multi Level ◽  
Seismic Risk Management

The National Research Council Canada recently developed a multi-criteria and multi-level framework for seismic risk management of existing buildings in Canada. One of the key criteria in this framework is benchmark NBC edition, which refers to the applicable edition of National Building Code of Canada (NBC) in which significantly improved seismic requirements were adopted and enforced. Since post-benchmark buildings are expected to demonstrate satisfactory seismic performance, they may be exempt from structural seismic risk assessment. This paper identifies benchmark NBC editions for 17 model building types in Canada. The identification starts by tracking major seismic improvements in the United States benchmark codes and standards. These improvements are then mapped to applicable NBC editions and relevant design standards. Provincial building code editions corresponding to benchmark NBC editions are also identified. The benchmark NBC editions and corresponding provincial building code editions help building owners quickly identify and exempt post-benchmark buildings with acceptable seismic risks and thus allocate resources to the buildings with potentially unacceptable seismic risks.

Seismic screening of buildings based on the 2010 National Building Code of Canada

2013 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 483-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Saatcioglu ◽  
M. Shooshtari ◽  
S. Foo
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Risk ◽  
Research Council ◽  
National Research Council ◽  
Building Code ◽  
Soil Amplification ◽  
Existing Buildings ◽  
Uniform Hazard Spectrum ◽  
Structural Types ◽  
Soil Amplification Factors ◽  
Screening Software

Seismic screening software is developed for existing buildings in Canada on the basis of the requirements of 2010 National Building Code of Canada. The software is based on the “Manual for Screening of Buildings for Seismic Investigation,” published by the National Research Council of Canada in 1992. The new software incorporates updated seismicity and soil classifications used in the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC) since 2005, as well as the new ductility and over-strength factors specified in the 2010 NBCC. The uniform hazard spectrum values of the current Canadian seismicity, defined for each municipality in Canada with a 2500 year earthquake return period, are used as reference hazard values. Seismic risk associated with the use of older seismic hazard values specified in older editions of the NBCC is identified relative to the current reference seismicity. The new site classifications are incorporated, while establishing relative soil amplification values between the new acceleration-based and velocity-based soil amplification factors and the foundation factors used in older codes. The new ductility and over-strength factors used in recent editions of the code are introduced in identifying different structural types with different toughness and energy dissipation capacities. The software can be used to conduct seismic screening of buildings located in different municipalities in Canada relative to the seismic requirements of NBCC-2010. It can also be used to generate tables for different locations in the country for manual screening of buildings.

Development of a Seismic Risk Screening Tool for Earthen Embankments

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Donahue ◽  
Zahra A. Amini ◽  
Christopher E. Hunt ◽  
Glenn J. Rix ◽  
David R. Umberg
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Risk ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
Risk Screening

SEISMIC RISK ASSESSMENT AND REDUCTION IN ITALY

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (Special Issue on First SACEE'19) ◽  
pp. 55-75
Author(s):  
Fabio Sabetta
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Seismic Risk ◽  
Safety Assessment ◽  
Public Funding ◽  
Tax Incentives ◽  
Technical Training ◽  
Disaster Prevention ◽  
Existing Buildings ◽  
Seismic Risk Assessment ◽  
Post Disaster

In this paper, the main features of the policies adopted in Italy for seismic risk reduction are discussed. Particular attention is given to the Pre-disaster prevention activities such as the implementation of the building code, the seismic risk assessment for a priority scale of intervention, tax incentives and public funding for the vulnerability reduction of the existing buildings, information to population and school education, technical training of experts. The phases of response and post-disaster activities, including emergency management, search and rescue, loss scenarios, and safety assessment of buildings, are also discussed taking example from the most recent devastating earthquakes in Italy (L.Aquila 2009, Amatrice 2016).

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