Cost-Benefit Evaluation of Seismic Risk Mitigation Alternatives for Older Concrete Frame Buildings

• DOI: 10.1193/030911eqs040m
• Publication Date: 2013-08-23T16:01:45Z
• Authors: Abbie B. Liel; Gregory G. Deierlein
• Keywords: Retrofitting; Seismic risk

Cost-benefit assessment is used to evaluate the effectiveness of various seismic retrofit strategies address concerns about earthquake safety and damage older concrete frame buildings. The benefits mitigation are quantified in monetary terms by assessing reductions risk building (repairs) occupant fatalities. When evaluated considering repair costs only, maximum cost retrofitting that offers a positive rate return 10% 30% replacement value. Since retrofits generally more than this, this result suggests reduced repairs alone does not warrant expense retrofitting. However, added fatality risks would make cost-effective if it as much 60% cost. cost-benefit approach provides an important tool merits light competing demands for finite public private resources.