Scoping review of methodologies for assessing building vulnerabilities and Tsunami-induced damages

Abstract

Coastal areas, while generally favoured as the focal point for human developments and socioeconomic activities, are often at a higher risk for disasters due to higher vulnerability and exposure to hazardous natural phenomenon including tsunami. Presently, a multitude of methods and tools are available to assess building vulnerabilities and potentially estimate damages or associated losses that can be caused by tsunami disasters particularly on buildings. A scoping review was conducted for these tools which include tsunami damage and loss estimation models, intensity scales, fragility curves, and vulnerability indices in order to gauge the current breadth and depth of knowledge regarding tsunami-induced building damages and factors influencing their severity. A total of 26 articles were selected for review following screening processes of an initial 111 search hits across three databases. Different types of available methodologies offer varying usage, parameters and applicability in classifying building vulnerabilities and/or estimating building damages and associated losses. The findings are tabulated to summarise identified parameters and allow easier comparison between the methodologies reviewed, followed by a discussion on the diverse tools available. Consideration for a generalisable tsunami damage and intensity estimation model is also briefly discussed.