SEISMIC VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT OF ZONE 1 OF ISLAMABAD

Abstract

Earthquakes pose a significant threat to life and infrastructure in seismically active regions like Zone 1, Islamabad, Pakistan. This study proposes a comprehensive seismic vulnerability assessment using the Non-Linear Static (Pushover) Analysis with Capacity spectrum methodology. Existing research establishes Pakistan's vulnerability due to its tectonic location, but a study gap exists specifically focusing on Zone 1. This gap is concerning due to Islamabad's rapid urbanization and the potential vulnerability of critical structures. Pushover analysis offers a comprehensive yet practical approach, generating capacity curves that depict a building's performance under increasing seismic loads. The proposed methodology will involve data collection on building geometry, materials, and geotechnical properties. Subsequently, structural models will be developed, and pushover analysis will be conducted to generate capacity curves. These curves will be compared with pre-defined performance objectives to categorize building vulnerability. The expected outcomes include a vulnerability map of Zone 1, prioritization for building retrofitting, and valuable data for future research. This research aims to contribute to improved seismic resilience in Islamabad and similar urban centers in Pakistan.