Three-dimensional analysis, real-time visualization, and automated post-earthquake damage assessment of buildings

A set of methodologies for visualization, analysis, and automated post-earthquake damage assessment of instrumented buildings is presented. These methods can be used immediately after an earthquake to assess the probability of various damage states in the N-S and E-W directions and throughout the height of each building. The methods have been applied to more than 80 instrumented buildings which have recordings from more than one earthquake. The results indicate that the proposed methods, when used in combination, can provide very useful information regarding the status of a building immediately after an earthquake by simple and rapid analysis of sensor data and prior to any building inspections. The methodologies and applications explained in this paper illustrate more than ever that seismic instrumentation of buildings is vital for damage assessment, learning from performance of buildings during earthquakes, enhancing engineering practice, and further development of seismic code provisions. Copyright (C) 2006 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.