Seismic vulnerability assessment of buildings of Patna by rapid visual screening

Abstract

Many damaging earthquakes have occurred in various regions of India in past few decades. It has affected large scale loss to life and property. The city of Patna is located in seismic Zone IV, according to IS1893 making it substantially vulnerable to earthquake. Such areas need proper study to decide preventive measures for avoiding any probable disaster. Seismic vulnerability is one of the most crucial parameters for structural safety assessment. According to most of the guidelines used worldwide, a three-stage process of evaluation is generally adopted. The first level of evaluation is rapid visual screening (RVS). This paper summarizes the RVS carried out in 201 buildings of Patna. The buildings have been ranked according to the number of storeys, grade of damage, and year built. The study shows poor maintenance history of buildings. Also, the buildings were found to be constructed not as per codal provisions. The result shows the need for retrofitting of buildings after further study.