Seismic Vulnerability Analysis of RC Buildings: Case Study of Ibn Khaldoun Area in Boumerdes City, Algeria

This study focuses on empirical assessment of vulnerability and fragility curves of existing reinforced concrete (RC) buildings in Ibn Khaldoun area of Boumerdes city (Algeria). In this area, existing RC buildings experienced significant damage during the 2003 Boumerdes earthquake. Currently, the area includes existing non-damaged buildings, strengthened buildings and new RC buildings constructed in place of those demolished. The proposed seismic vulnerability assessment method combines the GNDT (Gruppo Nazionale per la Difesa dai Terremoti) II level method and the macroseismic method by means of correlation between the peak ground acceleration PGA and the macroseismic intensity I. For this purpose, data was collected by investigating buildings within the area. Structural and non-structural building characteristics were identified and statistical analysis was performed. Resulting vulnerability curves obtained using the macroseismic method were expressed as a function of macroseismic intensity and the vulnerability index obtained using the GNDT II level method. Fragility curves, obtained by using correlation between the peak ground acceleration PGA and the macroseismic intensity I, showed that the highest probability to reach or exceed a very heavy damage grade is obtained for the highest values of I and vulnerability index V.