Upgrading the Evaluation Methods of Influential Buildings for Post-Earthquake Emergency Response

In the aftermath of a large earthquake many buildings can have either disaster-mitigation or disaster-creation roles depending on the extent of their damage and performance conditions. The success of the emergency response in cities depends on the damage extent of the disaster-creative buildings, on the one hand, and the appropriate performance of the disaster-mitigative buildings, on the other. On this basis, with regard to the effective role of buildings in disaster response management after earthquakes, it is important to recognize and evaluate their roles. In order to evaluate the building damage and casualties, the classification of buildings are done based on the type of the building, number of stories and the age of the building. With regard to the previous earthquakes, in addition to these three factors, some other factors should also be considered in the classification of buildings in order to reach more reliable results. This study was conducted with the aim of upgrading the evaluation method of influential buildings by contributing more factors. A case study was done in selected Chizar neighborhood located in the eighth section of district 1 in capital city of Tehran. For structural vulnerability, guidelines No. 364 (Rapid Visual Screening for potential seismic hazard), was used. JICA and Coburn & Spence methods were utilized for risk assessment and evaluating losses and damages. Based on the results of structural vulnerability, 9% of the buildings had low vulnerability, 6% had medium vulnerability and 33% had relatively high vulnerability. The rest of the buildings were out of the scope of the mentioned guidelines. Victims for night and day in the worst scenario (without emergency assistance) are estimated 9.6% death for night scenario, and 10% death for day scenario. The results showed that in main streets due to the existence of tall buildings and the narrowness of the pathways, there is a threat of route blockage. In case of appropriate emergency disaster response and provisions, 437 people can be saved in day scenario, and 500 in night scenario, respectively.