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Availability of seismic vulnerability index (Kg) in the assessment of building damage in Van, Eastern Turkey

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Abstract

The seismic vulnerability index (Kg) is a parameter that depends on the dynamic properties of soil. With this parameter, it is possible to evaluate the vulnerability of a point-based site under strong ground motion. Since it is related to the natural vibration period and amplification factor, the parameter can be calculated for both soil and structure. In this study, HVSR microtremor measurements are recorded at more than 200 points in the Van region to generate a seismic vulnerability index map. After generating the map, it is determined that the hazard potential and seismic vulnerability index is high at the sites close to Van Lake and at the densely populated city center. Damage information of the buildings investigated after the 2011 Van earthquakes (Mw = 7.1) are placed on the seismic vulnerability index map and it is realized that there may be a correlation between the damage and the seismic vulnerability index. There is a high correlation, approximately 80 percent, between the damage rate map based on the damaged building data and the Kg values. In addition, vulnerability indexes of buildings are calculated and the eff ect of local soil conditions and building properties on the damage levels are determined. From the results of this study and the site observations after the 2011 Van earthquakes, it is found that structural damage is not only structure-dependent but is also related to the dynamic behavior of soil layers and local soil conditions.

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Acknowledgement

The Scientific Research Projects Office of Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Project Number 2015-MIM-B259 financially supported this study. The author thanks Assist. Prof. Dr. Barış Erdil for his support during the compilation and evaluation of building damage data stages presented herein. The author also thanks the reviewers for their constructive comments, which enhanced the quality of the paper.

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  1. Department of Geophysical Engineering, Engineering Faculty, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, Van, 65080, Turkey

    İsmail Akkaya

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Correspondence to İsmail Akkaya.

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Supported by: Scientific Research Projects Office of Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Project Number 2015-MIM-B259

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Akkaya, İ. Availability of seismic vulnerability index (Kg) in the assessment of building damage in Van, Eastern Turkey. Earthq. Eng. Eng. Vib. 19, 189–204 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11803-020-0556-z

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