A Contribution to a UHS-Based Seismic Risk Assessment in Croatia—A Case Study for the City of Osijek

Abstract

Due to increases in the number of inhabitants and their concentrations in densely populated areas, there is a growing need in modern society to be cautious towards the impact of catastrophic natural events. An earthquake is a particularly major example of this. Knowledge of the seismic vulnerability of buildings in Europe and around the world has deepened and expanded over the last 20 years, as a result of the many devastating earthquakes. In this study, a review of seismic risk assessment methods in Croatia was presented with respect to the hazard, exposure, and vulnerability of buildings in the fourth largest city (Osijek) in Croatia. The proposed algorithm for a detailed risk assessment was applied to a database and is currently in its initial stage.Sustainability 2020, 12, 1796 2 of 24 to estimate the losses. These losses can be assessed in a material form, through the damage of the building stock or non-structural elements of buildings, or in the form of casualties or injuries during the earthquake [10,11]. The last step is to analyze uncertainties, costs, decision-making criteria, etc. The ultimate goal of studying earthquakes and their impact on people and buildings is to create a safer environment, in case an earthquake occurs.The basic elements of the earthquake risk assessment process are shown in Figure 1.Sustainability 2020, 12, 1796 2 of 25 probable intensity in a given geographical area). Then, based on the available data from the exposure model, evaluate the damage using one of the existing vulnerability assessment methods in order to estimate the losses. These losses can be assessed in a material form, through the damage of the building stock or non-structural elements of buildings, or in the form of casualties or injuries during the earthquake [10,11]. The last step is to analyze uncertainties, costs, decision-making criteria, etc. The ultimate goal of studying earthquakes and their impact on people and buildings is to create a safer environment, in case an earthquake occurs. The basic elements of the earthquake risk assessment process are shown in Figure 1.

Influence of interventions on the seismic performance of URM buildings designed according to pre-modern codes

“…There are several useful structural analysis parameters to determine earthquake risk [28][29]. Pushover analyses are useful tools for the assessment of URM wall capacities.…”

Investigation of Site Characterization and Vulnerability in Antakya (Turkey) under Basin Effect

“…Factors such as local ground conditions, earthquake history, fault and fault groups in the region, characteristics of faults and earthquake characteristics directly affect seismic hazard analysis. Briefly, local soil conditions and seismicity elements of the region will directly change the spectrum and its characteristics [1][2][3][4][5][6][7].…”

The Effect of Site-Specific Design Spectrum on Earthquake-Building Parameters: A Case Study from the Marmara Region (NW Turkey)

“…Determining the seismic risk of a region encountered as an inseparable part of pre-earthquake disaster management is among the preventions that can be performed. The destructive power of seismic events reveals some weaknesses in urban environments [1][2][3][4][5]. The amount of the damage increases generally due to the characteristics of the earthquake, soil, and structures.…”