Seismic Damage Scenarios for Existing Masonry Buildings for Educational Use in the Mostaganem City

Mostaganem, in Algeria, has experienced several seismic activities in recent years. It was classified in a zone of high to medium seismic activity according to the actual Algerian earthquake regulation. This ensures the safety of new constructions, however, the code done not include a technical reference for the seismic analysis and protection of existing constructions, in Algeria. The aim of this research is to constitute seismic scenarios of the masonry buildings used for educational purpose; therefore, the realization of seismic scenarios consists in crossing the data resulting from the seismic hazard (intensities) with those resulting from the analysis of the vulnerability. The analyses of the urban system will make it possible to interpret the scenarios in terms of functional damage. Seismic vulnerability of existing buildings was assessed under the RISK-UE method, which was selected to be suitable and applied to Algerian buildings for its convenience and simplicity. As a sample, 29 educational establishments (among of 199 masonry buildings for different use: primary school, middle school, secondary school, universities.) located in the historic city center of Mostaganem were assessed to identify the seismic vulnerability index, to allow to simulate seismic scenarios. The seismic vulnerability index is varied between 0.6 and 1.10 according to the diagnoses of each building carried out in the study area, The data from the vulnerability analysis are combined according to the RISK-UE approach (beta law) with the latter estimate by seismic hazard (seismic intensity), This correlation led to the birth of eight seismic scenarios expressing the results in terms of functional damage. As a result, moderate to heavy damage is expected for vulnerable constructions, significant economic losses are also expected for IEMS-98 >8 intensities. These seismic scenarios were considered and incorporated through a geographic information system (GIS) Guide decision makers estimated the severity and magnitude of the seismic risk for the remaining educational buildings in Mostaganem; or in other cities of the country to implement preventive measures and naturally reduce the risk of disaster by reducing vulnerability. Recommendations can be proposed to the Algerian authorities to simulate and facilitate efforts to take concrete preventive measures to strengthen existing educational buildings in order to reduce the negative effects of future earthquakes.

Automated summary

Mostaganem in Algeria has experienced multiple seismic activities and this research aims to assess the seismic vulnerability of educational buildings in the city. The analyses include crossing data from seismic hazard and vulnerability, resulting in the identification of seismic scenarios and functional damage. The findings suggest that vulnerable constructions will experience moderate to heavy damage and significant economic losses.