Geographic Information System-Based Seismic Risk Assessment for Dubai, UAE: A Step toward Resilience and Preparedness
Publication: Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Volume 27, Issue 1
Abstract
Being in proximity of high-seismicity regions, Dubai and United Arab Emirates (UAE) in general are characterized by a high level of seismic hazard uncertainty. This study presents a seismic risk quantification for the existing building stock in Dubai. It provides the much needed and critical input toward enhanced seismic resilience and preparedness. Five archetype buildings ranging from 2 to 16 floors were meticulously modeled to represent the most common buildings stock. The seismic performance of the reference buildings was assessed using incremental dynamic analysis (IDA). The IDA was performed as per a methodology from current standards and far-field ground motion records. Fragility curves were developed for three damage states, namely Immediate Occupancy (IO), Life Safety (LS), and Collapse Prevention (CP). At the maximum considered earthquake (MCE) level, the economic losses due to structural damage were estimated based on accepted standard current values. Human losses and injuries were projected using a methodology from current standards. Finally, corresponding seismic risk maps were generated. The seismic risk maps illustrate that the estimated number of fatalities and major injuries at the MCE level is generally low.
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Data Availability Statement
All data generated during the study are available in an online repository in accordance with funder data retention policies: AlHamaydeh et al. (2021), “Seismic Risk Quantification and GIS-Based Seismic Risk Maps for Dubai-UAE_Dataset,” Mendeley Data, V4, AlHamaydeh et al. (2015). Further details can be found in AlHamaydeh et al. (2021).
Acknowledgments
The work in this paper was supported, in part, by the Faculty Research Grant (FRG20-M-E152) from the American University of Sharjah. This paper represents the opinions of the authors and does not mean to represent the position or opinions of the American University of Sharjah.
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Practice Periodical on Structural Design and Construction
Volume 27 • Issue 1 • February 2022
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© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
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Received: Sep 25, 2020
Accepted: Aug 8, 2021
Published online: Oct 27, 2021
Published in print: Feb 1, 2022
Discussion open until: Mar 27, 2022
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