Estimating direct and indirect losses due to earthquake damage in residential RC buildings

Abstract

Abstract The downtime due to earthquake damage in RC buildings is examined. The rational component of downtime is evaluated based on the results of probabilistic seismic loss assessment analyses, using suitable time estimating manuals for civil construction works. The irrational component of downtime is derived from empirical data relevant to post-earthquake reconstruction in Italy. Suitable criteria are then adopted to monetize the downtime for indirect loss estimation. Finally, a simplified model, expressing indirect monetary loss as a function of the earthquake intensity level, is tentatively proposed, to be incorporated in practice-oriented procedures for the estimation of the expected annual loss of residential RC buildings.