Seismic Loss Assessment of Regional Buildings Using Physics-Based Broadband Ground-Motion Simulations

Researchers from Sichuan University have developed a novel approach for assessing seismic losses of regional buildings using physics-based broadband ground-motion simulations. This study aims to improve seismic resilience in densely populated regions by providing more accurate and reliable loss assessments. The proposed methodology combines frequency-wavenumber domain Green's function approach and a hybrid kinematic fault model to simulate seismic wavefields, followed by building seismic responses and seismic loss assessments using empirical-vulnerability-based or response-history analysis (RHA)-based methods.

Key Takeaways:

• The study proposes a physics-based computational workflow for estimating seismic losses to regional building clusters using broadband ground-motion simulations.
• The workflow includes simulating seismic wavefields, building seismic responses, and assessing seismic loss of regional buildings using empirical-vulnerability-based or RHA-based methods.
• The proposed methodology is initially validated using recorded data from seismic stations and publicly available regional ground motion attenuation models.
• The results show that the proposed workflow can generate broadband ground motions that closely reflect real conditions, capturing spatial variations in fault sources, propagation paths, and ground motions.
• The assessed regional seismic loss maps align well with in-situ survey data.
• The study offers a novel, robust approach for the comprehensive seismic losses analysis of urban building clusters.
• Financial supporters for this research include the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), Postdoctoral Fellowship Program of CPSF, International Collaboration of Sichuan Province, Sichuan Science and Technology Program, Scientific Research Fund of Institute of Engineering Mechanics, China Earthquake Administration, and Sichuan University Interdisciplinary Innovation Fund.
• The research has been peer-reviewed and published in the journal Engineering Structures.

Statistics:

• The 2023 Jishishan MS6.2 earthquake is used as a case study to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed framework.
• The study utilizes recorded data from seismic stations and publicly available regional ground motion attenuation models to validate the proposed methodology.
• The assessed regional seismic loss maps are compared with in-situ survey data, showing good alignment.
• The study provides a novel approach for the comprehensive seismic losses analysis of urban building clusters.

Sources:

• Seismic Loss Assessment of Regional Buildings Using Physics-based Broadband Ground-motion Simulations. Engineering Structures, 2025;341.
• Elsevier Sci Ltd, 125 London Wall, London, England. (www.elsevier.com; www.journals.elsevier.com/engineering-structures/)

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