Vulnerability and site effects in earthquake disasters in Armenia (Colombia) – Part 2 : Observed damage and vulnerability

Abstract

Damage in Armenia, Colombia, for the 25 January 1999 (Mw=6.2, peak ground acceleration (PGA) 580 Gal) event was disproportionate. We analyze the damage report as a function of number of stories and construction age of buildings. We recovered two vulnerability evaluations made in Armenia in 1993 and in 2004. We compare the results of the 1993 evaluation with damage observed in 1999 and show that the vulnerability evaluation made in 1993 could have predicted the relative frequency of damage observed in 1999. Our results show that vulnerability of the building stock was the major factor behind damage observed in 1999. Moreover, it showed no significant reduction between 1999 and 2004.