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Evaluation of the Seismic Vulnerability of the Huachi Chico Parish in Ecuador

Abstract:

The results of a study of seismic vulnerability in residential buildings of the Huachi Chico parish at the city of Ambato, in Ecuador are shown. Rapid visual screening of homes was carried out using the forms presented in the Ecuadorian Construction Standard (NEC), FEMA P-154 and the procedure developed by the Venezuelan Foundation for Seismological Research FUNVISIS in which indexes of vulnerability, risk and seismic prioritization are assigned. In addition, to explicitly determine the structural exposure, the methodology developed by the Global Earthquake Model Foundation (GEM foundation), within the framework of the South America Risk Assessment (SARA) project, was used. In total, 998 buildings were surveyed and compared with a cadastral data base that includes information on structures for residential use. The results obtained meet acceptance criteria, and therefore, it can be concluded that the parish presents a medium to high vulnerability, with the most frequent construction system being reinforced concrete frames infilled with masonry walls of 1 to 2 stories and 3 to 5 stories.