The development of a rapid empirical seismic vulnerability assessment methodology for contemporary load-bearing masonry buildings in the Maltese Islands

Abstract

According to historical records, the last major earthquake reported to have caused extensive damage in the MalteseIslands dates back to 1693. It is not possible to assess the vulnerability of masonry structures to seismic action through post-earthquake damage assessments. Considering a return period of 475 years, the probability of occurrence of a major seismic event is quite high. This study is an attempt at addressing the issue of the seismic response of the building stock in Malta. It focuses on the typical contemporary load-bearing masonry building typology. This typology mainly consists of blocks of apartments including a semi-basement with no internal walls and, in most cases, roofed over by hollow core precast prestressed planks, and with around 4 overlying residential floors in addition to a penthouse level.