Presentation of Structural Systems and Characteristic Parameters of Romanian Buildings for Application of the RVS Method

In current codes there is no rapid method of seismic evaluation of buildings, as the three utilised methods are intensively demanding in terms of time, human resource and materials. Due to this reason, it is necessary to adopt and develop a method based on international codes, applicable to the structural systems in our country. As a starting point, the rapid assessment procedure published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in 1988 is presented. To calibrate the method, 335 buildings were analysed; the vulnerability risk of these buildings was already known, previously certified by approved technical experts that used one of the three methodologies indicated in current seismic evaluation codes. Based on the research, an equivalent point system is created and applied to the structural systems suitable for rapid visual screening (RVS) and also to the characteristic parameters which influence the structural behaviour under seismic actions. Based on the point system applied, the building vulnerability can be determined using the rapid method of seismic evaluation. Moreover, a database is created which allows assessing which buildings require priority for a more detailed analysis through calculations.