What scientific information on the seismic risk to non-structural elements do people need to know? Part 1: Compiling an inventory on damage to non-structural elements

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Monica Amaral Ferreira
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7024-499X
Fabrizio Meroni
Raffaele Azzaro
Gemma Musacchio
R. Rupakhety
B. Bessason
S. Thorvaldsdottir
M. Lopes
C.S. Oliveira
Stefano Solarino

Abstract

Understanding damage  to  non-structural  elements,  identifying sources  of  critical issues,  and  how  damage  affects  the  functionality of facilities are all critical aspects for developing general recommendations concerning disaster risk management. In the present paper a review of non-structural damage caused by recent earthquakes was performed in several localities exposed to seismic hazard such as Mt. Etna in Italy, Lisbon and Azores islands in Portugal and southern Lowland in Iceland. This was needed in order to derive the most common non-structural damage framed into the local situation, which in turn is a basic requirement for a well tailored communication campaign. The observed damage to non-structural elements as derived in this study led to the conclusion that the most commonly damaged elements are partition walls, ceiling systems, non-structural vaults, chimneys, building contents and storage racks. Analyses proved that substantive efforts are needed worldwide to improve techniques for reducing damage to non-structural elements. Non-structural mitigation represents a major opportunity for immediate low-cost action to reduce the impacts of earthquakes at home, school and workplaces. Research results within the KnowRISK EU project was the reference ground upon which a wide range of tools for multi-stakeholders (students, business and citizens) to improve seismic performance of non-structural elements and reducing the associated economic losses, loss of functionality, and potential threats to life safety was designed.

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How to Cite
Ferreira, M. A., Meroni, F., Azzaro, R., Musacchio, G., Rupakhety, R., Bessason, B., Thorvaldsdottir, S., Lopes, M., Oliveira, C. and Solarino, S. (2021) “What scientific information on the seismic risk to non-structural elements do people need to know? Part 1: Compiling an inventory on damage to non-structural elements”, Annals of Geophysics, 64(3), p. SE321. doi: 10.4401/ag-8412.
Section
Empowering communities for non-structural seismic risk mitigation: the central role of communication

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