Seismic Resilience and Vulnerability Insights from RISK-UE Methodologies: A Case Study of Annaba City’s Historical Masonry Buildings

This research paper evaluates the seismic vulnerability of historical masonry buildings in Annaba City, Algeria, employing the empirically based LM1 method and the mechanically based LM2 method from the RISK-UE WP4 project. Annaba's "Place d’arme," characterized by its dense residential and commercial districts with structures predominantly from the colonial French era, serves as the study's focal area. The research applies these methodologies to assess and compare the vulnerability of the building stock to seismic events, with LM1 focusing on macroseismic intensity and LM2 on site-specific spectral responses.

Data collected from 380 surveyed buildings enabled a detailed analysis of structural vulnerabilities under two defined seismic scenarios corresponding to macroseismic intensities VI and VII for LM1 and PGA values of 0.04g and 0.08g for LM2. The results reveal a high vulnerability across most of the surveyed structures, with significant potential for damage under increased seismic activity. Comparative analysis of these methodologies confirms the consistency of their predictive outcomes and underscores the critical need for targeted seismic strengthening interventions.

This study provides a foundation for enhancing seismic risk management strategies in Annaba and offers a methodological framework applicable to other urban areas with similar architectural and seismic characteristics.