Proposed Method and Framework for Evaluating and Calculating a Seismic Vulnerability Index of Malaysia

Abstract

There are various constraints and challenges faced in conducting seismic vulnerability assessment studies in Malaysia due to key factors related to appropriate data availability, methods and frameworks. This paper would highlight on the proposed method and framework for assessing and calculating the seismic vulnerability index at district level for Malaysia condition. A set of vulnerability index indicators that incorporate exposure, resilience and capacity elements had been constructed to identify and evaluate local features that would contribute to the vulnerability of populations and properties to the occurrence of earthquakes. Specifically, a multivariate data analysis method would be performed to identify and assess the relative contribution (weightage value) of respective indicators and following with the use of Geographical Information System (GIS) technology to map and generate the spatial heterogeneity of total vulnerability index map and potential seismic vulnerability index map. Finally, the derived maps could provide preliminary information on the seismically vulnerable area classifications in order to improve the disaster mitigation and preparedness strategies by response disaster agencies.

Development of an Exposure Vulnerability Index Map Using GIS Modeling for Preliminary Seismic Risk Assessment in Sabah, Malaysia

“…Classification statistics generated by GIS software However, a few districts, especially the major cities in Sabah, are rated as high and very high in the exposure index. There is overall uniformity in the exposure levels throughout the region, with over 85% (21) of the districts in the range of less than +0.5 standard deviation (Figure 6). The minimal presence of vulnerable groups (i.e.…”

“…Moreover, there would be constraining issues relating to access to the data given its proprietary nature, confidentiality, reliability, consistency and lack of data transparency [17]. However, in recent years, various research has been conducted by local authorities and researchers to decrease seismic risks focusing on vulnerability assessment in Malaysia [12,13,[18][19][20][21].…”

Assessment of Seismic Building Vulnerability Using Rapid Visual Screening Method through Web-Based Application for Malaysia

“…Based on the information from RVS, government authorities can use quantitative tools to help them decide if, and how much, remedial work is required in a particular district [37]. Indeed, the assessment of earthquake resilience in a community can be achieved using a variety of fragility-based seismic vulnerability models that incorporate probabilistic building performance limit states [38][39][40][41]. For example, HAZUS and FEMA P-58 are damage-based loss estimation methods that compute direct and indirect losses using fragility functions and quantify the performance of each structural and non-structural component [42,43].…”

Reviewing Seismic Vulnerability Dimensions: Current Trends and Methodological Challenges

“…Along the same lines, in Indonesia the debt and lack of productive assets in women were analyzed [14]. In Malaysia, parameters such as: gross income and gross domestic product (GDP) were considered [15]. Likewise, in Uttarakhand (India) they were based on the poverty rate, agricultural workers and the unemployed [16].…”

“…Internationally, indicators such as the percentage of the female population, the percentage of the elderly population, the gross birth rate, and the percentage of the population with physical and mental disabilities were used [6]. In this sense, parameters such as: population density, household density [15] and dependency rate [27], [28] were also used. Similarly, in Iran they based their parameters on the density of the child population, the density of the elderly population, the density of the female population, the population density at the educational level, and the population density of the employment situation [35]- [37].…”