Seismic Vulnerability Assessment of Unreinforced Masonry Residential Buildings in Urban Settlement

Abstract

Maximum of masonry buildings in urban areas are with large openings in ground floor level and with different stages of construction adding more non-engineered complexity to the structure. This paper shows the analytical methodology of seismic vulnerability assessment through a case study of five unreinforced masonry residential buildings made of brick masonry bonded with the mud mortar, and with different structural deficiencies. These selected prototype buildings represents the buildings situated in urban areas of Nepal. Stepwise procedures of seismic assessment is analyzed through non-linear pushover analysis and fragility functions are generated to define the vulnerability level of the selected prototypes of building. The area elements at potential yielding sections are replaced with Multi-linear plastic non-linear link elements which are defined in finite element software SAP2000. The proposed study has direct implication towards assessing the vulnerability of similar case study of URM residential buildings which may further assists for the development of proper retrofitting strategies assuring life safety requirements.