Author(s)

G.-A. Tselentis, A. Serpetsidaki, F. Gkika, E. Sokos, L. Danciu & P. Paraskevopoulos

Abstract

A software package with a user friendly interface has been developed for training engineers, geoscientists and city officials in all the subjects of seismic risk assessment and its reduction. As a pilot city we selected the city of Patras which is a representative middle size S. European city consisting of a great variety of old and new buildings, very complicated geology and very high seismic risk. The algorithm permits the trainee to experiment with the various components of seismic risk, starting from the selection of seismic sources, to the effect of local geology and vulnerability of buildings. It can provide for each scenario earthquake and ARCVIEW based GIS system detailed strong motion acceleration scenarios, distribution of intensities and effects on buildings. A very detailed data base containing all the geological conditions and building details of the city has been constructed and linked to this tool and can also provide site specific design spectra to any construction site of the city. Keywords: seismic risk, seismic scenario, vulnerability. 1 Introduction It has been estimated that within 50 years, more than a third of the world’s population will live in seismically and volcanically active zones (Rundle et al. [5]). Thus, an urgent need for the development of methodologies for reducing the seismic risk in modern cities arises. The existing historical data on earthquakes are insufficient for predicting seismic events at any particular location, although rich data on their occurrence and magnitudes may exist on an aggregated (say regional) level. Potential

Keywords

seismic risk, seismic scenario, vulnerability.