SEISMIC VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT OF A SCHOOL BUILDING WITH A COMMON STRUCTURAL TYPOLOGY IN AREQUIPA, PERU

Abstract

Arequipa, located in southern Peru, is a region characterized by the frequent occurrence of earthquakes due to its proximity to the subduction interface between the Nazca and the South American plates. Consequently, school buildings in Peru are classified as essential facilities and are expected to remain operational after a severe earthquake. In this context, the seismic vulnerability assessment of public-school buildings is of critical importance, especially when a widely used structural typology, Módulo 780-POST, has been identified in several of these buildings. This study presents the seismic vulnerability assessment of a representative school building of this typology through nonlinear static (pushover) analysis, from which capacity curves were obtained in the main structural directions, and by evaluating and comparing the results of three different assessment frameworks: Vision 2000, Risk-UE and Hazus. The results reveal a clear direction-dependent vulnerability of the structure. In the most unfavorable direction, the structure reaches Life Safety performance level according to Vision 2000 and a Moderate damage state according to Risk-UE and Hazus. The corresponding mean global damage index is 46.67%, while the structural damage index reaches 24%. These findings highlight the implications of mixed structural systems on the seismic vulnerability of essential facilities and the importance of framework-dependent interpretation in vulnerability assessments.