Simplified loss estimation in infilled RC buildings: mechanical method and validation

In this study a dedicated framework for seismic losses estimation in Reinforced Concrete buildings is presented, taking advantage of a simplified analytical structural analysis, a dedicated drift-based fragility curves and a specific repair cost analysis. To this aim, the mechanically based “Pushover on Shear Type model” (POST)-method, already know in the literature [1] for simplified structural analysis, has been integrated herein to obtain expected losses due to earthquakes for infilled RC buildings. On the other hand, the thoroughly cost analysis dedicated to only masonry infill panels and services (electric and plumbing system, sanitary equipment, floors, etc.) restoration presented in [2] has been used to develop an integrated formulation for loss estimation in Reinforced Concrete buildings. The application to a wide dataset of buildings struck by L’Aquila (Italy) 2009-earthquake is used as testbed for large-scale applications. In fact, the comparison with actual damage distribution and repair cost provides a useful validation of the whole framework, from structural analysis to loss prediction.