A rapid visual seismic assessment procedure for RC frame buildings in India

There is a need to develop suitable screening methods for seismic safety of existing buildings relevant to Indian building typologies so that prioritization may be undertaken on the deficient buildings. Based on systematic studies on damage data of 270 buildings in Ahmedabad during the 2001 Bhuj (M7.7) earthquake, a rapid visual screening procedure is proposed for RC frame buildings in India. An expression has been developed for assigning Performance Scores to buildings based on presence or absence of some very general, broad based, and easily observable vulnerability parameters that can be seen from a sidewalk type survey.