Vulnerability of Residential Structures in Australia

This study compares two different approaches for estimating the probability of earthquake damage to typical residential structures. The first is an empirical approach using intensity-based hazard and insurance claims data from the 1989 ML 5.6 Newcastle earthquake, the most costly in Australian history. The second is an engineering-based approach that defines hazard in terms of spectral acceleration and utilizes the Capacity Spectrum methodology to estimate building response. The sensitivity of the latter to the choice of building parameters is explored using both HAZUS values and others specifically derived for Australian construction. Comparison of the two approaches is particularly important in countries like Australia where a paucity of ground motion recordings and damage data make model calibration and validation problematic.