GIS-Based Assessment of Seismic Vulnerability Information of Old Masonry Buildings Using a Mobile Data Validation System

This study proposes a geographic information system (GIS)-based rapid visual screening approach for seismic vulnerability assessment of masonry buildings in culturally and architecturally important historical regions. Through the application of the proposed methodology, a prioritization strategy for seismic vulnerability assessment of the heritage masonry buildings in Galata, a historical center of Istanbul, Turkey, was performed. This approach is based on an integrated methodology including a data collection process conducted through visual inspections and standard survey forms filled on site, generation of a georeferenced building database enabling the calculations and mapping of the vulnerability scores, and camera-based data validation process. The validation process provides an online collaborative mobile mapping system through georeferenced images gathered from the field. By the updatable data validation process, the reliability and efficiency of the GIS-based building database are enhanced by minimizing the errors during the visual screening and the cost of data correction due to reinspection is reduced.