Seismo- Resistant Architecture for Vulnerability Assessment of RCC Buildings of Port Blair in South Andaman

Abstract

The last decade has witnessed a rapid increase in the building collapses followed by losses due to natural catastrophes around the world. There are multiple reasons for this situation, viz. increase in population density, the unplanned development of the modern city; ignorance to follow the building codes and seismic regulations etc. Bypassing the norms has proved to be risky especially in a high seismic hazard zones where the buildings are most susceptible to high risk of collapse. Earthquake leads to not only economic losses but also human deaths as well and hence the concern. Fortunately in last decade no major destructive earthquake has struck over the island of Port Blair. Simultaneously the rapid development of RCC building construction without any earthquake resistant techniques has also been on higher side, rendering the landscape of the city of Port Blair most vulnerable to earthquake. This research specifically focusses of the Vulnerability Assessment of RCC Buildings in Port Blair.  Post physical examination of the individual building, the structures have been classified under high, moderate and low risk, using Rapid Visual Screening. Further analytical site survey was conducted to examine the Architectural Design flaws from seismic safety perspective. The data was then coded and analyzed using frequency distribution, followed by logistic regression and AHP methods to calculate EVI and to predict the risk vulnerability.