SEISMIC VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT OF BUILDING STOCK OF ZONE 5 ISLAMABAD USING FEMA P-154 METHOD

Abstract

Earthquakes cause huge economic and life losses. Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan and is also a victim as can be witnessed from Kashmir, Balakot region earthquakes. The 7.6 magnitude earthquake in 2005 devastated northern Pakistan. Over 70,000 lives were lost, and the country suffered economic losses equivalent to 2.6 percent of its GDP. (ELLA KIM, October 08, 2020). Pakistan is in an active seismic region due to subduction of Eurasian and Indian plates. The Eurasian plate is a seismically active zone containing fault lines. Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan therefore its vulnerability assessment is very necessary. Islamabad is divided into five zones, respectively. We decided to work in zone 5 of Islamabad comprising commercials and high rises of Bahria, DHA and PWD. Vulnerable assessments such as this are conducted to indicate and determine buildings that are vulnerable to socio-economic damage and life loss in a rising seismic event due to loss of structural integrity and serviceability. We chose the FEMA RVS 154 procedure. The procedure was selected because it was both time and cost effective. Standard forms are available for vulnerability assessment. Based on the seismicity of Islamabad Moderate seismicity forms were selected. The irregularities in buildings are found and scoring is done. Positive score for structurally sound attributes and negative score for Irregularities. We filled in the forms. Marked the Location of individual buildings. While filling the forms, the structural systems and irregularities were found. Buildings in zone 5 were quite irregular but safe since they were recently constructed in supervision of building codes. Secondly Islamabad is in a moderate seismic zone, so the buildings in general came out to be safe and did not require detailed seismic evaluation.