Seismic fragility analysis of existing URM buildings: A study on Kathmandu valley

Abstract

Seismic fragility analysis is performed for the assessment of in-plane mechanisms of existing unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings of Kathmandu Valley. The equivalent frame model is used, which has been validated by analyzing the URM prototype tested at the University of Pavia and comparing the analytical results with the experimental outcomes. Existing URM buildings of Kathmandu Valley are firstly investigated by means of a Rapid Visual Screening survey, and the most representative buildings are selected as prototypes for the analysis. Monte Carlo simulation method is used to account for the uncertainty of the mechanical parameters of each prototype. Analyses are carried out both with correlated and uncorrelated distributions of uncertain parameters. Finally, fragility curves are calculated in terms of spectral displacement, according to the capacity spectrum method.