Evaluation of typology‐specific fragility curves used for risk‐targeted seismic demand maps in regions of low seismicity: A German case‐study

Abstract

AbstractInvestigations of risk targeted peak ground acceleration (PGA) maps for European countries typically adopt a single generic fragility curve definition. The aim of this study is to investigate the use of typology‐specific fragility curves in the derivation of risk‐targeted PGA maps in low seismicity regions. This study differs from previous works in that it derives expressions for the relationship between design PGA and the median collapse capacity for several different structural typologies designed according to European standards, namely, reinforced concrete (RC) moment‐resisting frames (MRFs), reinforced concrete wall and dual systems, and steel MRFs. The expressions were determined from the regression analysis of a database of fragility curve parameters collected from the literature. The influence of the different typology‐specific fragility functions on the derivation of risk‐targeted seismic maps in regions of low seismicity, using Germany as a case‐study, is discussed. The key findings of this study are as follows: the fragility curves derived using the database possess significant inherent lateral capacity; the consideration of this inherent lateral capacity implies the reduction of the regions where seismic design is compulsory; and that fragility curves adapted from fragility analyses from structures in the US may not be representative of European structures. Recommendations for the direction of future research include focusing primarily on improving the definition of the typology‐specific fragility curves; developing fragility curves for modern IMs such as average spectral acceleration; and investigating the use of typology‐specific curves in regions of high seismicity.