Seismic Risk Assessment of Peruvian Public School Buildings Using FEMA P-154 Rapid Visual Screening

Abstract

Peru is located in a high seismicity region, since is on the subduction zone between the tectonic plates of Nazca and South American, both belonging to the Pacific's Ring of Fire. Peru is a developing country, so it is of the utmost importance that the Peruvian Government is prepared to assist the thousands of casualties that may be in the face of an important seismic event. Hence seismic risk assessment of essential buildings such as schools and hospitals is necessary for structural reinforcement projects in this type of infrastructure. In this scientific article, it is shown how vulnerable the public schools of the district of San Juan de Miraflores in the city of Lima are to a seismic event. Hence FEMA P-154 Rapid Visual Screening methodology was used to assess actual condition of school infrastructure which can be used as refuge for casualties or local headquarters to emergency response. The results of the research conclude that most educational buildings present a high seismic risk and do not meet the requirements of post-earthquake use as required by the Peruvian Seismic Design Building Code.